Steve Kelly, Miss Universe Ghana and Papa Linc Rock Kente party.

The first ever Kente Dance Extravaganza in Philadelphia was a major hit and success. Ghana?s kente cultural display was outdoored with pomp and pageantry. I tell you the diverse elegant confluence of colors; red, gold, blue, black and white were a sight to behold and embellish one self in. Peacock with all its majestic display of colors would have been no match. Ghana, we have something unique to show the world, and I don?t know about you, but I can say with certainty everybody who was at the function felt a heart beat of joy and pride to be a Ghanaian.

The event started with scores of guests garbed in their colorful kente cloth walking down the corridors. It was exciting to see attendees showing the pride of Ghana, the kente cloth, in different designs and colors. The ladies, with their men in tow, just looked gorgeous and fabulous. This was the first time many Ghanaians had gathered in the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia) exclusively to display the various kente designs and to promote the kente fashion. By organizing such an event, the demand for kente products is certainly bound to increase, which is good for the kente industry and it would create many jobs for the weavers in the kente districts of Bonwire, Adanwomase and other towns where the kente is woven.

The event marks the launching of an annual kente cultural display to occur in Philadelphia. The musical and cultural ensemble was supported by award-winning heavy hitters such as DJs Elove, Sam Q, A1 and Dynamic, not forgetting highly rated and popular MCs Nana Aduanaba Frimpong, Asonoba Kwame Gyasi Dankwah and the great Papa Linc.

Elder Osei Bonsu kicked the event opened with a powerful prayer as the superbly dressed Nana Yaa Ajani introduced the MCs, DJs and the organizers of the event. Ms Ajani read to a wide applause a brief synopsis of the reasons behind the event by the organizers. The MCs led by Nana Aduanaba commended the organizers for such a great concept and asked the audience for a huge round of applause for them in putting such a great show together and asked everyone for their patronage, love and support in making the event and subsequent ones a success.

The most amazing moment was when Papa Linc was introduced; he walked on to the dance floor wearing his custom-made kente quilt with a nice designer top. The audience could not control their laughter as the dynamic MC jabbed them with his trademark hilarious one liners.

There was an incredible performance by Gospel Hip-hop sensation; Steve Kelly of Philadelphia, PA. A two-time nominee of the American Gospel Music Awards; he showed the reason why he is such a hot property and the most sought after Ghanaian Gospel/Hip-hop artiste at the moment in USA. His energized and impressive performance excited a music promoter/producer in the audience, to the extent that he decided to sign a deal and work with him to perform series of shows in Ghana and the USA. Steve who is currently recuperating from a recent accident is indeed one of the best Gospel/Hip-hop musicians Ghana has to offer and he is constantly getting offers daily to perform in USA and Europe. Whenever he in on stage, he inspires the crowd and afterwards always get invitations to churches, crusades and concerts to perform. Djs; Elove, Sam Q, A1 and Dynamic provided excellent non-stop music and the dance floor were always packed.

The surprise guest was Angela Asare, the current Miss Universe Ghana who is in the USA. The beautiful and talented royal requested prayers and support from all Ghanaians for the upcoming Ms Universe Beauty Pageant scheduled in July. The Best Kente Dance Queen was also crowned and she is Beatrice Amankwa Nyabe, aka Obaa Yaa.

Kente Dance Extravaganza was also a pre-World Cup event in support of our national team, the Black Stars. Elove, Sam Q, A1 wore T. shirts supporting Black Stars as well as wrist bands distributed to attendees courtesy of www.foroneghana.com.(SUPPORT BLACK STARS IN GERMANY).

The event organizers were Amy Frimpong, Dr. Kofi Sarpong and Charles Nimmo Ntiamoah-Mensah aka Mr. CNN and they acknowledged the attendees and sponsors for all their support. Sponsors were North American Airlines; Mr. Kofi Boateng of Universal Shipping Company, Dondo magazine; (the new issue is out), Boss Kriki, CEO of Executive Travel. Special thanks goes to Ms Evelyn Taylor who had traveled from Ghana to be part of the first ever Kente Extravaganza.

Acknowledgement; Ghanaweb, Ghanamusic.com, Ghananewsreel.com, Dondo magazine and the New Ghanaian newspaper.