Win a Free book: Eko Dialogue

Who says reading can't come with winning? In an earlier post, we told you to watch the space. Here are the questions that may make you win a free copy of Joy Isi-Bewaji's Eko Dialogue:

• What is the name of troupe (and its director) that performed Eko Dialogue recently?
• Mention two major characters in any two of the stories?
• What is the name of Joy Bewaji's new magazine and what magazine was she working with before?

Clues: they are everywhere, you only have to search (either online or in the book).

So let's see who makes the first successful shot...results with runners-up will be put here.

What are you waiting for? Start reading, searching or making your comments!

LISTENING TO THE WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Crown Troupe always takes the creative route in the execution of their plays, whether foreign or local, original or adapted. Crown Troupe’s April performance focused on Noel Greig’s Whispers in the Dark, however, yet they gave a bumper package: with Footprint’s performance of Window Talk; Qudus Onikeku’s dances and Nefertiti’s songs. The performance opened with an ‘ewi’ recital by Adisa; he made use of pun (‘ase oro’) in his description of love which thrilled the audience as they cheered. But I had a question on my mind: why wear a native cap on a pair of jeans and shirt? Maybe that’s his own brand, I mutterred to myself.

Talking about brands, I’d always known Footprints as an energetic children dance group. They told the audience that they were more than dance as they took on the stage with Window Talk, a play written by Segun Adefila and directed by Seun Awobajo. Window Talk is an existential, almost absurdist philosophical play that asks questions about opposites: heaven and hell, peace and war, politics and power, wisdom and folly, religion and belief, God and man, among others. What do you think of this?

Neighbour: What is a body without a head?

Player: No manager without a messenger. One makes one. The equation of bribery is not complete without a giver and a taker. Asewo needs a customer to be asewo. Sellers need buyers. The head needs the body and the body, the head. Tango needs two to be tango.

Crown Troupe did justice to Noel Greig’s Whispers in the Dark. A fable with other stories embedded in it, more like a tree with many branches stretching out. The thematic thrust being the survival of the arts despite opposition in the society. Crown Troupe adds its spice to the story not only by using Nigerian artistes but by double casting, songs, remixing well known songs (‘Ero-Oja’ Yoruba folk song), flashbacks, riddles, etc. Here’s a riddle from the play: You cannot wear it but it will bring warmth to your heart on the coldest day. You cannot eat it, but it is the most nourishing food in the world. You cannot hear it, but it possesses the voices of the whole world. What is it? You may have a clue after reading this.

NB: Crown Troupe performances hold every first Sunday of every Month. For the month of May, it was an adaptation of Joy Bewaji's Eko Dialogue, a rib-cracking and thought-provoking novella about Lagos. Coming soon on The Bookaholic Blog with a quiz with a prize: a copy of the book. So watch this SPOT.

Crown Troupe Presents Joy Bewaji's 'Eko Dialogue'

Crown Troupe of Africa will dramatise Joy Isi Bewaji's witty anecdotes of Lagos life as contained in her most enjoyable EKO DIALOGUE (and as directed by Segun Adefila)

Date: Sunday May 3rd
Venue: Cinema Hall 1 of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos.
Time: 3pm and 5pm.
Gate Fee: N500 (N200 for children)

Also on duty will be Footprints and Nefertiti; Crown Troupe will also perform their socio-political dance skit- Fellow Country Men...

Where would you rather be this Sunday?

RSVP the event here

A Review of Eko Dialogue
Anyone who lives in Lagos will agree that it is a complex city of paradoxes - a place that brims with many cities in dialogue in the heads of its dwellers.

Joy Isi Bewaji's Eko Dialogue explores the many voices that roar through this chaotic mass in a witty and sarcastic way.

The book opens with a prologue titled ‘My Lagos' which introduces the reader to a city filled with hustles and bustles, chanting and noises - a world of extremes. From here, the writer penetrates into the minds of Lagosians, rendering in interesting ways the day-to-day dialogues in the city otherwise known as ‘Eko'.

Each story introduces characters and situations that we are not unfamiliar with, though sometimes we choose to close our eyes to them.

Bewaji knows her Lagos well; you can hear and smell it through each word from her pen and this is revealed, not only through her detailed description of the metropolis, but the clinical dissection of its residents through the characters and the language that is very "Lagosian".

The author's characters are everywhere: the passengers and conductors on a molue; the distraught job seeker, a ‘paraga' seller; and a greedy pastor who feeds fat on his impoverished congregation in the story, ‘The Sower and the Ravenous Wolf'.

Read the rest of 'People of the City' here.

Meet the Woman behind Lagosian Conversations

Please give us a brief introduction of yourself?

My name is Joy Isi Bewaji; I’m from Edo state. I grew up in Festac Town, attended Umbrella Nursery and Primary school; Model College, Kankon; and The Polytechnic Ibadan.

What is your approach to writing?
I try to be as liberal as possible when I write. I would like for my readers to see that I am progressive in my thinking and writing.

Take us down memory lane from playgroup to University.
I can’t remember too much of primary school, I spent most of my time with my mum as a child. However the best time of my life was as a teenager. I loved my secondary school to bits!

What is the first impression you would like your readers to form when they read your work?

I would like to provoke laughter basically, and have readers appreciate my style of writing.

Why such a title Eko Dialogue?
It’s a title that says it as it is. The book is about Lagos and the rapport amongst its inhabitants.

Has your work been misinterpreted before?
No, not yet. Lol!

Did you have to do any background research?
Yes. I have been a Lagosian all my life. I spend time talking to fellow Lagosians on a regular basis. I am very inquisitive; my study was based on how we manage to live our lives despite the odds, and I tried to capture that in Eko Dialogue.

Where do you get inspiration for your characters?
From the people I encounter everyday. These are the people that make Lagos what it is – the groundnut seller across the street, the disgruntled employee, the snooty celebrity etc,

How long did it take you to pen the book?
I wrote it in 6-8 weeks

Any particular reasons for self publishing?
I wanted to be in control to a large extent, and I didn’t want the book delayed or told to increase pagination and all that. I also wanted to see my ability as a business woman.

What challenges do you face as a first time author?
My biggest challenge at first was getting it to those interested in having the book. I had to hire a couple of people; I literally started a company just because of the book. The demand has been awesome and I have handled distribution quite well, but it can still be better.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian publishing scene?
The writing scene is just as challenged as the music or movie industry. The talents are available but the umbrella under which to grow is feeble.

Do you have another job?
Yes, I am the editor of Spice magazine.

In what ways as working in a magazine helped or hindered you in writing your first book?
A 9-5 job can be very tasking for a writer, but I was determined to bring out this work. It was a stubborn decision, I just had to see it through.

What are you working on presently?
My second book

Any advice to up and coming authors?
Just do it. Pen those words down! Get enough information on your subject matter, and get a good editor to clean it up nicely.

Can creative writing be taught?
I do believe anything can be taught.

Final words on your epitaph?
Let my creator not reject me, whatever it is I need to know, let me learn it now and when I come in his presence, I want his embrace.

What is your favourite vacation spot?
I have never gone on a vacation. Never!

Embarrassing moments?
Too many. But I remember times on Funmi Iyanda’s show that I was totally clueless on what they were talking about. It was a great time, but I really didn’t belong there.

On being true to yourself?
I speak the truth always, it doesn’t matter whose ox is gored

Aspirations for the future?
I want to go fully into writing books and being a great author.

Facebook, myspace, twitter or hi5?
Facebook, after much persuasion. Twitter registered, but I have no idea how it operates.

What do you think of Obama?
Obama is the change we all need. His success can be translated to personal motivation. The minute he won, I knew I could – snub the good pay cheque and walk into something else that I find more interesting and challenging. Yes I could, and I did!

How do you relax?
I love to hang out with friends and gist. And I love to watch movies, I love reading magazines.

Three things you are most passionate about?
My kids, my career, and the new Nigeria.

Describe your self in one word?
Passionate

Strangest thing in your handbag?
A toothbrush, I use it to achieve a smooth hairline when I have a weave on.

Bookaholic With Bella: Eko Dialogue by Joy Isi Bewaji

Eko Dialogue

By Joy Isi Bewaji

110pp; Eternal Creations Limited

Joy Isi Bewaji's Eko Dialogue explores the many voices that roar through this chaotic mass in a witty and sarcastic way.

Bewaji knows her Lagos well; you can hear and smell it through each word from her pen and this is revealed, not only through her detailed description of the metropolis, but the clinical dissection of its residents through the characters and the language that is very "Lagosian".

Read the rest of here.