STAN WALKER SINGS HE KAKANO AHAU WITH WHANAU (FAMILY)
“My cultural pride I will show, that you may know, who I am.”–song lyrics, Aaria.
Beautiful voices from The Shaky Isles today.
Loves.
Mauri ‘Ola Tatou! Life to US!!!
[Footage: Singer Stan Walker & Whanau/Family from Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia]
Lyrics: He kakano ahau i ruia mai i rangi atea (I am a seed scattered from Rangiatea)
MAORI YOUNG PEOPLE SHINE AT MAWHERA MINERS COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY, NEW ZEALAND
A celebrity is someone whose life is worthy of being celebrated–new culture’s kaupapa (or principle).
In the bonds of love we meet–New Zealand’s national anthem
Love is healing and recovering honestly and openly together, acknowledging life, loss, past present and future in community together. Grieving the ugly and celebrating the beauty of what each life gifts community is growing up in love too as a nation–watch this clip.
Greymouth Miners Remembrance Ceremony Footage is supplied by Te Karere Maori News reporting live from Mawhera, Te Wai Pounamu, Aoteroa New Zealand. This news footage denotes the magnitude felt by community across the board in this coast township.
I like the interview which shows variation in Maori dialectical variations of New Zealand’s indigenous peoples own unique diversity between Irena Smith and Kathleen of Mawhera. We call it Nga Mita o Te Reo (dialects). The interview shares the story of grief’s depths. My favorite part of the footage is the young people of Mawhera singing in Maori to lift the spirits of the grieving. Maori young people are so special. Such good kids, putting aside their own grief for friends and family to find the strength and grace to encourage others. They are descendants of people who have been doing this in Mawhera for many centuries.
As a Kiwi who lives in Hollywood I find all the words in English equally as important and moving as the words in Te Reo Rangatira (the language of Chiefs). Enjoy this very special view–a cultural treasure of New Zealand as new culture grows and develops alongside these Maori young people’s development that the nation of New Zealand speaks of in the copy below. Powerful stuff. Mawhera young people are Hollywood stars today on this blog, just because they are. Alright–we need to upgrade these kids with funding to get some swanky new cultural uniforms for performing on such global occasions I think and make them a little bit of a priority. A fine effort from these young leaders.
The following news coverage story is via English NTDTV: Memorial services were held in Greymouth, New Zealand, for the 29 miners who perished in an accident at the Pike River coal mine last month. A two-minute moment of silence was observed, and local school children sang songs of remembrance. (more…)
CAFE AU LAIT FOR TWO AT THE POLYNESIAN SOUL CAFE – WEST HOLLYWOOD 11.28.10
Malo e lelei from California via Samoan-Kiwis in Hawaii singing the universally loved, ancient poetic psalm of King David of Israel. :)
Music from two brothers of the group, Adeaze.
Salamo e luasefulu ma le fitu
O le fuaiupu muamua
Ma le fuaiupu e sefulu ma le fa
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear Lord
The Lord is the strength of my life
Whom shall I be afraid
Wait on the Lord
Be of good courage
And he shall strengthen your heart
Wait I say on the Lord, wait I say on the Lord
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear Lord
VERSE 2
O le atua o lo’u malamalama
Ma lo’u fa’aolataga
O ai ou te fefe iai
O le atua o ia o le malosi
I lo’u olaga
O ai ou te fefe iai
Fa a ta li mo le atua
Ia fa ama losi
E fa amalosi lo’u agaga
Fa a ta li mo le atua
Fa a ta li mo le atua
Chorus
Whom shall I be afraid – till end
[Lyrics via sing365.Com]
~A singing birthday card for The Maori Rose of Sharon of Nga Puhi and Ngati Whatua Maori tribes, on her birthday, 2010. Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.28.10. Excuse distortion, Polynesian artists are still waiting on times to change, before we can truly rock it out in Hollywood in a culturally meaningful way. In the meantime, this is it! Enjoy.~
SMILING MAORI YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMING LIVE ARE SO VIBRANT
There’s just something about Maori young people singing and performing live in the poetic language of Te Reo Rangatira (the Language of Chiefs) with beautiful smiles that reminds you, these young leaders are from a very vibrant culture.
Love them! Can’t get enough of their visage and unbridled talents on display in Hollywood. Beautiful.
Oh and if you’re reading this post from Hollywood–no this really is not “lost footage from the director’s cut of Dances with Wolves–young people really perform like this every day in places like Waitangi or Roto-Vegas/ Rotorua or many other beautiful cities too. One of my favorite spots in seeing Maori perform is at the Tuhoe tribe’s Te Hui Ahurei o Tūhoe Festval. These young people are the best and they speak the language as their first language each day.
They’re also cinematic. Their first movie is in development. It’s humorously titled: Hambones at the Pork Bone Puha Hotel. Now this is THE movie for any A-List Hollywood actor to do a cameo in. It’s going to be both funny & fab!
They’re so authentic and beautiful in performance. The kids of Ngai Tuhoe also are amazing artists and their artworks (paintings) are so special. Deep. Meaningful. I purchased one, last time I was in attendance at this event.
If you must have your fix, of seeing Maori appear and perform live, finding out more about these two cities, is a good start when planning your global travel entertainment.
Culturally vibrant travel–is always adventurous and enriching to one’s worldview. You know it. Cheers!
Maori young people also add a lot to America’s diverse tourism industry, especially in Hawaii, President Obama‘s home state–all year round. Go here to check these Maori kids, who help America out. They’re such good selfless young people. Amazing!!! I love them.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.27.10~
FOR THE LOVE OF KAPA HAKA – POI SWAY by HUKARERE GIRLS COLLEGE
I really should be promoting: forestry, fisheries, farming, fashion, film etc because all my future advertisers are there–but instead let’s celebrate the passion of Kapa Haka (or Maori cultural Glee Club today), for a diverse view in Hollywood.
A celebration of resilient free spirits, all singing in Te Reo Rangatira or The Language of Chiefs. The language is so poetic and pretty.
Here’s the performing art (performed live and living) of the poi ball dance of Hukarere Girls and Te Aute Boys colleges in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Loves.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.26.10~
KRIS FA’AFOI WINS MANA ELECTION, LADY GARDINER COMES IN CLOSE SECOND
[Old footage - Kris Fa'afoi on National's support of Maori]
Exciting news from New Zealand – First time political campaigner Kris Fa’afoi of the Labour Party keeps the Mana Electorate seat, winning against the outstanding Hekia Parata (aka Lady Gardiner) in a snap bi-election, last night.
The Mana electorate is a part of Wellington (Wellywood) where The Hobbit films will be made. Kris Faafoi becomes the first ever Tokelauan Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Hekia Parata closed the gap for her party (National) by six thousand odd votes to that of just over a thousand. She did an outstanding job.
Clearly what New Zealand is indicating is that they value Polynesian leadership in the nation’s capitol. I like that.
Congratulations to both Kris Faafoi and the lovely Hekia Parata, a big star in Hollywood on this blog in recent weeks.
Both Kris and Hekia make any New Zealander proud to be a Kiwi. Well done to both candidates on victory. To read the full story, go here.
“Let’s party. We won,” said Kris as reported by The NZ Herald. ‘With those words Kris Fa’afoi launched himself into Parliament as the first New Zealand MP from Tokelau after winning the Mana byelection tonight, beating National candidate Hekia Parata by 46.4 per cent of the counted vote to 41.6 per cent.
The result was a 14 per cent swing to the National candidate since the 2008 general election.
Mr Faafoi, accompanied by wife Gina Fa’afoi-Rogers and 23-month-old son George, took the stage to rapturous applause, flanked by Labour leader Phil Goff and former MP for Mana Winnie Laban.’
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.20.10~
TE AUTE AND HUKARERE COLLEGES for LIVING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CULTURES SHINING IN THE WORLD
Who: Te Aute Boys High School and Hukarere Maori Girls High School of New Zealand.
What: Performing a Waiata Tira (Traditional Song). Their performing arts genre is called kapa haka.
Why: To perpetuate their unique Indigenous Peoples worldview and language in a modern world.
Their language: Smiles and Te Reo Rangatira (The Language of Chiefs).
Star Draw: Their people have been doing this for centuries in beautiful Middle Earth, Aoteaora New Zealand.
Claim to Fame: Horiwood’s Aunt, “Aunty Waratah of Helensville” was the long-serving matron of Turakina Maori Girls College, a sister school of the Hukarere Girls school, featured here. This song in Hollywood goes up for her and what she believes is possible for all girls and children of Indigenous Peoples cultures in the world if they stay true to themselves and just express that in the world.
This is my Aunt’s life message as reflected in these kids singing. Some of her life’s work on display.
Aspiration: My Aunt is proudly of the Ngapuhi and Ngati Whaatua Maori tribes of New Zealand. Yet, she serves all other Maori tribal leaders childrens’ life’s purpose into the world equally.
She is not tribalist, she’s bigger than that. She’s a global thinker. I love my Aunt a lot for her largeness of heart and purity of spirit. An example for all Maori and Polynesian and Kiwi politicians to emulate perhaps as a take (cultural challenge of leadership) from Hollywood today.
In its purest sense (dating back over a century from NZ), my Aunt’s actions prove she believes in true equality, just like her ancestors believed and taught her. So do I. Hence going to the trouble of creating and sharing this post from The Entertainment Capitol of The World.
Political Point: May we always have the foresight, heart and wisdom to include indigenous peoples at the forefront of everything we do. Their worldviews are diverse and amazing. They look after landscape, people, the human spirit and have a message of preservation always for future generations.
What’s best about these kids: If you talk to any of them, they are all very funny. They have the best sense of humor. Funny kids, naturally.
Personally I like their message a lot. Wisdom as gifts for the world is contained in these young peoples’ culture and thinking. We need it. LOUDER!
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.17.10~
THANKS FOR THE BLOG LOVE PEOPLE!
Today was the biggest growth day on the blog in two months.
Thanks for the mad love everyone. Together, we’re making history.
God bless you all. Thank you.
Let’s rock this, together!
___________________
What I have learned at this point blogging, is that Maori-Kiwis really can live away from whanau (family) iwi (tribe) in the US full time, for 4 and a half years now.
I’ve learned that I love America, more than most people claim they do.
This is a great nation, diverse and beautiful and I feel very privileged and blessed to have been a small part of it, during some very interesting years. As most of you who read the blog are American, “thank you,” have faith in yourself, as many of us (your friends who are non-American) do. We believe in you!
No matter what the day may serve up, may a growing bond never change between you and your allied nations of friends. When you’re down, it us who, within reason, hold your arms up in shared victory. That’s what real friends are for. Kiwis (New Zealanders) are such real people. We don’t quit good people. The victory is not always monetary. A change for you all perhaps in these not always smooth, political years and growing pains. Instead, the victory we share together is a shared world for future generations, beyond temporary moments of instant gratification known as ‘our lifetime.’
On that note, here’s a group of lads, all of whom are perhaps much more noble than me –yet not one has my profile, even though they all should– whose ancestors all raised them to think of their grandchildren’s grandchildren. Here’s some more Maori entertainment from the priceless lads of K2 Maori Company.
Blogging in H-Wood, most days I feel like one of these bros. Not much different to any one them. I believe that not enough Maori men are seen or visible at high profile levels of leadership in the world. Yet the world needs what Maori men know culturally, at this point in world history. Especially in America, hence a motivating reason of why I blog.
Incidentally, most Kiwi kids grew up singing this song. I was about ten? I think, when I first learned it with my siblings, next door neighbors and friends. I still know all the words off by heart. When I was in Hawaii I heard some Hawaiian bros singing this hori jingle too, so it’s a bit of a global hit, worth sharing. Americans… you’re quite surprising people, to know this song. Thank you all for being a part of our diverse view, that includes Maori presence (taste preferences and observations) daily too in Hollywood and America. Mauri ‘Ola - life to you!
Golden couple of the day: Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.14.10~
U2 IS PERFORMING IN NEW ZEALAND – THE VIEW OF THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS FROM LITTLE RUSSIA, WEST HOLLYWOOD – 11.13.10
Only Love wins.
Photographs of the Hollywood Hills, the local Russia Delhi in front of where I live in Little Russia that serves up the best caviar in West Hollywood, Angelina Jolie‘s latest billboard 30 yards from home and the open street view of fair Santa Monica Blvd today.
As I upload these pictures to share with you all, I’m reminded that super rockers U2 are performing live in New Zealand soon.
My Maori-Kiwi Helensville-raised mom is in her 70′s and is so excited when talking on the telephone that U2 are performing not too far from her Whangarei City hood in Auckland The Supercity soon.
She really wants to go and see Bono, The Edge and the lads live. Gorgeous Maori – Kiwi mums, they’re always too much fun!Where fun is, that’s where they can be found. Fun people need to be recharged with fun too. Mom knows where it’s at! Go Mom! :)
Here’s U2 performing live at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena California in an epic performance. Hollywood is still raving about it today.
Amazing Grace & Where The Streets Have No Name. Up! Liberty looks, feels and sounds like this today. Loving it from these Irish rockers here in Hollywood today. Bring it on!
[Jimi Hendrix Hollywood star, Walk of Fame, complete with Adventurous Maori motif jewelry, Hollywood Blvd California--especially for all kids of Auckland The Supercity, New Zealand and California who want to express themselves on the guitar. Hendrix's music mastery is legendary status music. Avoid all the other stuff, just learn his music. Hot! LOUDER PEOPLE! Skilfully on ten guitars, even. Why not?! Now that's a fine plan!]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.13.10~
ANNIE CRUMMER SINGS AND MODEL LINDSAY ELLINGSON WORKS A PASIFIKA THEME ON THE RUNWAY – VICTORIA’S SECRET SHOW 2010
I am so excited. Brand new footage of the one and only Annie Crummer is available to share. Today though, Annie is Harwood-Hollywood-Hot in the City of Angels entertainment and celebrity news round up.
Meanwhile here in America, Victoria’s Secret is proud of all things South Pacific in their new line up of hot models and lingerie attire for the American woman.
JOHN KEY AND THE KAITIAKI (GUARDIANS) OF MIDDLE EARTH’S MINERALS RICH LANDSCAPES TALK RESPONSIBLE MINING FOR MAORI AND KIWIS
[A brown owls/ els Parliament Post on Mining: In this video footage from Te Karere, The Maori News, Kelvin Davis of Ngati Manu, Karetu, Bay of Islands has some interesting thoughts to share on Maori and Kiwi mining. He is "no." My thoughts are, minerals are the allusion of wealth (a metaphor of sciences future direction linked into IT production too). Like diamonds allude to a wealth trail--minerals are the bait to attract other biz deals in a modern world, and you must have some minerals on the whanau table, or else you'll miss out on meeting global trade opportunities. I have ideas, but they're not being put on here. :)
Perhaps quality, limited supply, over quantity is a good balance for Kelvin's tribe--and being more strategic with developing the use of minerals as Maori tribes, so the supply is maximized and controlled more (for a purpose--not wasteful), to preserve the resource could be key too. China, India, America--all want minerals (a strategy to save oil usage on the planet)--specifically for green energy technologies advancement, so if the Kaupapa is green there may be a meeting point there. Always remain open. Put some family jewels on the table. Give a little. Diversity from tourism is key too. What to do to be a part of the global game? Watch this clip. Mauri O'la Kelvin Davis].
[John Key picture courtesy of Indigenous Peoples and Polyeurasian magazine, Tu Mai; Great Barrier Island pictures, courtesy of Destination 360, GW]
New Zealand is such an onto it, nation. Everything you can imagine is there in this paradise nation, naturally, but the leaders of this nation, are mindful that they are stewards for future generations of the wealth and abundance they collectively share.
The rare leadership displaying respect to the environment is, in-the-main, a unique cultural-economic role they play, called “Kaitiaki” which means a Guardian.
They are stewards and guardians of the future generations of New Zealand and this rules their thinking of a temporal sense of personal gratification and selfish use of the resources of the earth. To me, they are star leaders, their knowledge of the environment, woven into governance matters–is a star template for leading-edge, wise global leaders worldwide.
Within this context of leadership, a timely discussion is occurring with Maori leaders of New Zealand and Prime Minister John Key on the topic of mining. Here’s a full report from TV3 News on this issue, down under in the green paradise nation of Aotearoa/ New Zealand or Middle Earth as we know it too, in California.
TV3 NEWS reports: “Iwi leaders and the Government have met to discuss mining, and how Maori could be part of talks about future mining and energy issues to prevent disagreements such as that by East Coast Maori over oil exploration in the Ruakumara Basin.
Prime Minister John Key and Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee met the Iwi Leaders Group last night.
[Metiria Turei is a Green Party politician. Her party believes in the legalization of Marijuana and Preserving the Earth's resources with green-thinking strategies forward in a modern world. Whenever she appears on any political matter, she pops! Her political trajectory is colorful showcasing both the humor, theatricality yet intelligence of the New Zealand sense of showpersonship. Read her resume for chuckles. There's no Hollywood or Washington star quite like her]
[To visit Great Barrier Island go here. I went to school on this Island briefly with my siblings as a kid. Everything about it is other worldly. It's a country paradise surrounded by extraordinary beaches. It was like living on the set of that hit Hollywood TV series Fantasy Island every day. Great Barrier Island is real, but surreal. Beautiful. Go to this Island to let your children discover a quality adventure with nature.] News story continues.
WAIATA-A-RINGA – CALIFORNIA by TE PIRINGA MAORI CULTURAL GLEE CLUB
What: Waiata-a-ringa cultural arts performance. A W.A.R is an action song of the Maori people of New Zealand.
Genre: Polynesian performing arts. Our Indigenous Peoples, Glee Club.
Group: Te Piringa, New Zealand.
[Image: High Sierra, Trout Fishing Spot, California]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.7.10~
CALIFORNIA AND CHINA – PRESENTING “BOY,” AN AMUSING FILM by TAIKA COHEN OF NEW ZEALAND
Parenting is never easy. Being a kid going through puberty isn’t either. Set in a Maori small town community on the Coast of New Zealand, this is a story of what happens when your dad gets out of prison to resume his parenting role with his young son. A delightful community centered film.
What: Boy - a film (trailer below)
Who: Taika Cohen - writer, actor, director!
Feat: a stellar line up of Maori child actors. So talented.
Genre: Comedy set in a small rural New Zealand coastal community, East Coast, North Island New Zealand.
Debut in Hollywood: Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Audience Vibe: Well received, appreciative, inquisitive to know more about the unique worldview of Maori New Zealanders that Taika presents in Boy.
Highlight: The tributes to the heroization of the late Michael Jackson, King of Pop. Very funny.
Awards to Date: Winner of The Silver Bear Awards, Germany 2010.
The Coolest Thing?: A unique soundtrack that reflects Maori music tastes.
What to do?: Definitely go see this film. Press play.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.6.10~
WORLD POLITICS – HILLARY CLINTON, JOHN KEY AND MAORI NEWS IS SO HOT THESE DAYS
Te Karere, a Maori News show in New Zealand, are doing some of the best news in the entertainment biz lately. Here’s that story, everyone is talking about. This version in Te Reo Rangatira (The Language of Chiefs) of New Zealand.
The day Hilllary Clinton touched down in New Zealand, the story aired with a headline: The Most Powerful Women in the World Arrives in New Zealand. This prompted a politician to give a funny aside like the theatricality of a good Shakespeare play, (read that here).
In the top video clip, here’s Hillary Clinton and Prime Minister John Key as Mrs Clinton, gets an official powhiri (Maori welcome).
My favorite part of this footage, is where Hillary presses noses in greeting (it’s called the hongi) symbolizing the breath of life in your nose, mingling with the breath of life in your fellow sisters and brothers.
Equality of life is shared in the warm gesture of manaaki (or hospitality) when “hongi moments” happen, celebrating the meeting of our diverse and shared human presence–is what the intimate gesture symbolizes.
Maori are big on face-to-face talking, greetings, shared communication and presence. This cultural trait, all Kiwis seem to share. If you’re serious, you’ll turn up, is the view – Mrs Clinton did not disappoint. What a woman.
Her “hongi” moment, is exactly like James Cameron‘s Avatar film (photo below), which is where uber-talented James perhaps got the idea from. It’s so surreal to be Maori in Hollywood and watching Hilary (US Secretary of State) go Avatar-Maori with a good hongi session in Middle Earth, Wellington New Zealand. She’s one of US now. That’s also what the hongi means.
Watching it go down in this news clip, I forgot what country I was in. It took 36 hours for the ‘surreal feeling’ to calm down and to readjust back to American life. Lol! *jokes*
[By the way: To see how thorough, personable and informative Prime Minister Key is at updating his people, with transparent communication from his Beehive Parliamentary office, watch this video clip of one of the Kiwi King's regular updates. Good leadership, aye!].
Now, let’s get back to Hillary in the top clip, she’s looking good.
I can’t help but think of smart action partnerships, being the result of US-Kiwi political ties. Green thinking strategies are ahead. I see plenty of fun shared between two showcasing nations – both who love to entertain. A win-win combo.
Update: Fran O’Sullivan of the New Zeland Herald notes how Prime Minister, Mr Key, genuinely slipped up by introducing Mrs Clinton as “President Clinton,” by way of a genuine gaffe. It’s a compliment to Mr Obama that Hillary is so Presidential in her role as US Secretary of State.
Here’s an image of a Maori koru (symbolizing courage in change when facing challenges). The koru spiral (a metaphor of a fern frond’s growing spear tip – new life) is depicted on President Ronald Reagan‘s Hollywood Star, Hollywood Walk of Fame–to reciprocate the spirit of American-Kiwi and Maori-Hawaii relationships, cross-over art and culture, remaining strong between our entertaining nations of diverse and vibrant peoples in world politics.
Again, what a fine Ambassador for her President, Mr Obama and her First Lady, the lovely Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton is and was down in NZ. She rocked the gig.
Bring it on — in the 2010′s from New Zealand and America.
[Presenter: Scotty Morrison, Reporter Roihana Nuri, Executive Producer: "The Most Powerful Woman In The Maori World" Tini Molyneux, for Bronagh Key and Te Karere, TVNZ News. National Standards Education Standards can be sourced here.]
To visit New Zealand yourself and experience the culture – Go Here.
[Images of Wellywood/ Wellington, photographer - David Wall]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.4.10~
A PONTIFICATING KING – OBAMA – LOS ANGELES TIMES – 11.4.10
“Shellacking” due to an energy policy that’s greedy, lustful & feudal?” Yep!
America Today – looks like this, from the front page of the Los Angeles Times – Entertainment Capitol of the World.
The LA Times, paints a picture of A Pontificating American King – in President Barack Obama.
Where did I/We/ Whatevz “f*ck up” – is not a good look, especially for a man whose in the hot throne seat, a burning throne he inherited, only two years ago.
This man needs our support not our lynching tendencies. Lynch pin politics are found in New Zealand. A problem solving nation, we always like to help. Soultions are us. Encouragement is Key. Go Obama! Rock it out brotha. Nothing to lose.
If you want to know what NZ thinks about this, check out this post, for one answer. I like the proven source, where it comes from.
In New Zealand we share everything with our brown people – that way, we don’t get shellacked.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.4.10~
MEET KALANI JONES, A SAMOAN-KIWI STAR OF AUCKLAND THE SUPERCITY
Kalani Jones (L) of Auckland – The Supercity poses with Lani.
The Samoan-Kiwi hottie looks like her late grandmother, Aunty Maina Werne-Jones - a lady who died in Kenya while on safari, and who had the distinction of having the second most-attended funeral in New Zealand history in 1997 of a Kiwi not born in the green paradise nation. As a woman of Samoa with Mana in The South Pacific, Maina Werne-Jones was down to earth, heavenly-minded, loving and much loved.
Aunty Maina as she was affectionately known, is still sorely missed by Auckland City, Samoa and throughout The Pacific today. Her laugh was magic. She laughed a lot, always sharing her smile and joie de vie with a rare gift of joyful encouragement.
Kalani also looks like her gorgeous momma, Judi Jones. Kalani’s dad, Derek Jones can be found here with Judi, doing their bit providing Samoan-Kiwi flava and inspiration at a transitional time for Porirua City leadership in Wellywood – Hollywood’s sister-city for 3D film making expertise.
Porirua is currently in the middle of a surprise bi-election, as the US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton has just recently touched down in Wellywood, a film making nation’s capitol city, at the time of writing from Hollywood. There’s a lot going on in New Zealand right now. It’s a hot diverse entertainment nation, destination.
At the top, of the North Island of New Zealand, Kalani lives in Auckland, The Supercity of this beautiful paradise-green nation.
To see Auckland – the City of Kalani Jones and the largest Polynesian and Maori Gateway city in the World (Aloha O’ahu Hawaii of America), GO HERE.
[Lena Horne -great entertainer and blacklisted activist for Humanitarian Human Rights issues and causes, Hollywood Star (the Maori koru taonga version), for Kalani Jones, Hollywood Walk of Fame–photog: Horiwood.Com’s own).
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.3.10~
RENEE RANDALL TRAINS YOUNG MAORI, AND GETS A VISIT FROM HIS PRIME MINISTER IN WAINUIOMATA
This news clip in Te Reo Rangatira (the language of Chiefs) of New Zealand, shows how a concentrated and sustained community effort and key partnerships created between educators working with youth in training programs–closely with local business owners is getting results. Jobs for the young.
The biz owners win. Government funded educators win. Most of all young people win –all working together to educate directly where industry is indicating where the economy is expanding. Resourceful, no waste, community grass roots spirit. Smart dedicated focus.
Renee Randall of Taranaki who now lives in Wellington (Wellywood), trains young people at The Wainuiomata Training Centre. In particular young Maori people.
Watch Prime Minister John Key at the 40 second mark, while he goes onto a marae (a community gathering place) to meet with Maori leaders, along with the Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples.
Then at the 1.57 minute mark, you can view Randall meeting the PM. If you don’t understand a word of the language, that’s okay you’ll get used to it in time. I like the word Peremia (or Prime Minister). The clip is just worth watching to hear that several times in this story. When you watch Maori Television in Hollywood, the word peremia is similar to the English word, Premiere — like a red carpet film premiere. Watch the clip two or three times, and say the word when you hear it. Then you’ve learned some Maori. Cool aye?!
Peremia, is so Wellywood in Hollywood; the word brought a smile. What a versatile prime minister of global action, New Zealand has in Mr. John Key. Training up the next generation is key this week. Enjoy clip.
[News story: Presenter, Scotty Morrison, Reporter Joe Glen, Executive Producer Tini Molyneux for Te Karere. Red carpet premiere Hollywood star belonging to a, once upon a time, legendary auteur and architect of Hollywood Cinema].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.3.10~
THE FAMILY WE ARE – SARAH de JANIERO, NIK CARLSON, NATALIE CHLOE BLUCHER AND CLINTON RANDELL ARE CASTING NOW
Key-We Are… Family
or, Because we are key we will display strong pictures of Kiwi family
Reality TV is an Art – the banal fused with the surreal aspects of life: blend.
Nik Carlson, Sarah de Janiero, Natalie Chloé Blucher and Clinton Randell are of People Productions.
Currently they are casting for a brand new TV series: The Family We Are. It’s a show like “The Office” meets “The Kardashians” and is being webcast online. Shot in January, going to air in May.
If you’d like to be a part of this new show. Check them. The talented Pio Terei will be starring in this show.
Sounds fun. This talented line up all hail from hearty rugby country in the South Pacific and as culturally vibrant residents of Auckland –The Supercity, these talented people are a hospitable part of hosting The Rugby World Cup 2011 community and global rugby family of supporters too.
[Kia ora Sarah de Janiero!]
[Music: Brothers Against Violence - You Will Know - Poly Styles]
[Frida Kahlo image, Brewery Art Walk Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles - Horiwood's Own, original featured with Ukelele's, Image of Downtown Los Angeles, as a reminder that arial stock footage of a Supercity can never be beaten for opening credits, to set context and give wide scope of a story that is then about family. No matter what family we choose to create, depict and show--real issues in family serve global issues of family (Angelina Jolie). Family is always the 'Super Hero' of us all. That's why, Kim Kardashian is such a big reality TV & now a major merchandising star of L.A. Family = trusted tastes. Create with confidence, color, boldness, with depth of emotion by setting real situations and scenarios. Create strong and well, for this is key to who we are becoming.] One more thing, show me a gorgeous Polyeurasian girl who can wear shoes in any gritty situation and you have a hit show. Let’s take the ladies UP!
~Hosted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.31.10~
NEW TALENT ALERT – MEET HINETAAPORA SHORT – THE GOLDEN, HOLLYWOOD MAORI, MILKY BAR KID!
“She has a young Reese Witherspoon look and fresh-faced appeal about her as a potential child-actor of the future in Hollywood”–Horiwood on Hinetaapora Short.
A Diverse View of Hollywood worthy new talent potential:
Should Hinetaaporo Short, 10, be cast as the next Milky Bar Kid!
One of this kid’s X-factors in the entertainment game already, is that Hinetaapora speaks Te Reo Rangatira – The Language of Chiefs - otherwise known as the Maori language of New Zealand) each day, at her Kura Kaupapa school in Roto-Vegas/ Rotorua, Hiobbit country.
Te Reo Rangatira is one of the two official languages that Middle Earth, New Zealand protects and speaks within its shores.
Should Hinetaapora be the Milky Bar Kid for chocolate makers Nestle? Heck yes! What a bilingual, intelligent and talented cutie pai. Adorable. The Milky Bar Kid is a New Zealand child’s ‘super hero’ figure of inspiring Adventure and fun adventuring activities with friends and community–the great Kiwi Way. Just like Hobbits represent such cultural heroes too. A Maori girl super hero? Heck yes! It’s time. What a splendid idea at updating Kiwi pop culture in the 2010′s.
Will Hinetaapora go on to appear in Hobbit in 3D films in Wellywood too and Hollywood? I hope so! She’s a doll.
Go honey! Mauri ‘Ola from Hollywood. Let’s hope Hinetaapora can sign on to the same Hollywood agent as Oscar nominee, Keisha Castle Hughes. My Hollywood agent recommend though for Hinetaapora’s Hollywood acting hopes, is agent: Steve Dontanville. –the agent behind Reese Witherspoon’s acting career in Reese’s initial early years until two years before Reese won her Oscar.
Imagine Hinetaapora Short in a 3D action adventure film? Could she be another Reese Witherspoon, with the potential to win an Oscar too? Only time will tell. But, go kotiro tutu! I love her chutzpah. This kid has spirit. She’s off to a good start at ten years-of-age.
[Presenter Scotty Morrison, executive news producer Tini Molyneux - Te Karere. Keisha Castle Hughes appears here with Inception star Ken Watanabe, image courtesy of Wire Image].
UPDATE: Hinetaapora Short is on the Nestle casting team’s Top Ten Short List at this minute. Go honey! You have Hollywood’s big tick approval. The gorgeous Hinetaapora short is a descendant of the Te Whanau a Hinetaaporo subtribe (Haapu) of Ngati Porou. She also descends from the Te Arawa iwi of Aotearoa/ New Zealand. The same tribe as famed and globally-loved entertainer, the late Sir Howard Morrison. The son of a Maori All Black rugby football star, Temuera Morrison , Sir Howard’s song My Old Man’s An All Black - combated and addressed apartheid in South Africa back in the day. He’s still a legend in hearts and minds today. Good Kiwi Ambassadors and proven entertainment stock are the performance artists of this tribe. They do the right things with their fame for noble humanitarian causes.
Hinetaapora’s Te Arawa tribe are watched by globe-trotting visitors to New Zealand, every day of the week in Rotorua City when they perform live daily as consummate and gifted entertainers. They star in musical theater showcases daily and have been practicing mau rakau (traditional Maori martial arts) for over a thousand years in New Zealand on Mokoia Island. As warriors in performance, they are New Zealand’s indigenous action stars. Very similar to Japanese samurai or Old-World warriors of the Chinese Empire dynasty too. Sir Howard, their much loved late Entertainer king, is pictured wearing his cowboy hat above.
Courage to imagine, see and be true to… yourself.
Message to H.S: Mihi atu ki a koe Hinetaapora… are you practicing your American accent and learning Chinese each morning for Hong Kong filmmaking, 3D action movie/ co-productions in future years, before school? Hope so! Ka rawe! Tino pai kē! Kid, you’re too much! :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.27.10~
PRIME MINISTER JOHN KEY ON SIR PETER JACKSON’S 3D HOBBIT FILMMAKING IN MIDDLE EARTH VIA THE MAORI NEWS
Hobbit News from Hollywood, California USA:
We all love Sir Peter Jackson in Hollywood. He’s a box office heavy weight for this California City and a Hollywood Oscars King to boot. New Zealanders probably love Sir Peter a wee bit more than even Hollywood does. His early films have been studied many times over, by the New Zealand people just as much as his big blockbuster films have been viewed and enjoyed.
Sir Peter Jackson is a cultural hero of Middle Earth. Sort of like the Sir Edmund Hilary of Cinema to his home town of Wellywood.
However, Kiwis (New Zealanders) love our Prime Minister even more than the remarkable Sir Peter. He’s The Kiwi King. From the home and heart of Hobbitsville, here’s Prime Minister John Key speaking on Hobbit filmmaking in 3D, in this video news footage, addressing the recent actors’ union challenge via an Australian actors union that could have swayed Warner Bros. to move the film to another location. Such a move could have threatened the future of films being made in New Zealand by the best directors in the world.
This news report via Te Karere – Maori News shows a King in full support of what his filmmaking star director of Hobbits wants within his capacities as a leader who protects great artists, like Sir Peter of Middle Earth and the heart and soul of the magic that they create in their art.
Hollywood great, James Cameron‘s Avatar filmed in Wellywood, so let’s hope Warner Bros relationship with Hollywood’s collaborating twin filmmaking city remains strong, in producing Hollywood’s no.1 grossing box office films of all time globally between Hollywood and Wellywood.
The proven relationship to date is a match made in cross-cultural, box-office, results-generating heaven. Excellent filmmaking synergy.
Update: 10.26.10 @4.41 pm: TVNZ reports: “We will have to make an assessment about whether we think a clarification in the law would assist New Zealand economically,” Key said. “If we do, we might make some changes.”
“The Government has also admitted it is prepared to move “at the margins” on subsidies for the two films but would not enter a bidding war to match what was on offer internationally,” says New Zealand’s Prime Minister.
[Images: Star Trek placard with Maori koru taonga motif, symbolizing new life and regeneration for John Key, Champion of Hollywood, Bollywood and Chinese box office cinema collaborations of the future with New Zealand. This placard is positioned at the front entrance of the historic Grauman's Chinese Theater - Hollywood Walk of Fame]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California, Reporter: Roihana Nuri, Presenter: Scotty Morrison, Executive producer: Tini Molyneux. From Hollywood today, this was the way it was, looked and sounded from New Zealand for Hobbit fans worldwide in a culturally diverse nation of friendly Hobbit loving people in Middle Earth, Aotearoa-New Zealand. Cool aye? Incidentally Wellywood is also known by its 12th Century name, Te Whanganui a Tara – it is a story of twins too, like Hollywood and Wellywood are. Poetic and fitting at this moment in 3D Middle Earth history reflecting the twin cities of Wellywood and Hollywood. 10.26.10~
MAIKI SHERMAN – COVERS POLITICS IN THE MAORI LANGUAGE – SHANE JONES FOR TAMAKI ELECTORATE, THAT’S CULTURALLY VISIBLE IN NUANCED ARTS 2010′s
In the age of iPhone and digital media telephony – globally, a nation’s visibility is perceived as credibility. Maori and Polynesian Arts as Visual Arts getting more visual in Tamaki is a necessity to attract a global economy to New Zealand. The substance transmitted in all media that cannot be replicated, it stands on its own, will always be Spirit. If we possess it, we must serve it to Shine.
If we are credible, we must match the integrity of our belief with greater and more creative visibility as leading entertainers contributing to culture in the world. Whether they know it yet or not, the world needs US and our culture as expressed from artistic spirits–Horiwood on Arts & Visual Arts in The Super City – 2010′s.
Hot! Watch this clip to see news reporter Maiki Sherman covering politics and news in Auckland – The Supercity in Te Reo Rangatira (the language of Chiefs).
This clip also features Shane Jones who will stand in the Tamaki electorate, next election. Presenter Scotty Morrison and executive producer Tini Molyneux for Te Karere News bring us this unique story in Hollywood, wtih Maiki – for your viewing pleasure and Hollywood entertainment diversity.
Shane was Harvard educated in America, where he studied with his wife and children. He also speaks the indigenous peoples language of New Zealand – a future trend for all politicians in New Zealand to become more proficient in, for the upcoming years of NZ politics. It’s time.
For Maori leaders like Shane, promoting Maori women into leadership roles across all sectors of society is his and his male peers’ (regardless of color) next biggest challenge. I see Shane being very instrumental, visionary and gentlemanly in this role as the world seeks out Maori women leadership and their wisdom as women on many global issues concerning other women, in the world. Maori and Kiwi women have a gift to lead that’s on the rise.
[Um, I'm posting this clip, because Mr Jones said "And how is that talented son of yours?" to my Maori Helensville-raised mom, when the two last met, at Dame June Jackson's anointing in Auckland - The Supercity.
[This pic - Samuel Marsden of Yorkshire, a later arrival and founding father of New Zealand]
Shane and I both grew up in Nga Puhi country – when he was not in America studying, learning at the feet of Maori Marsden - one of the greatest minds on theology, whose gift of Peace to mediate, along with Gra Theodore‘s is legendary in the ilk of New Zealand leadership circles.
Maori Marsden was the great grandson of Samuel Marsden of whom exploits and legends of New Zealand history books write about. Samuel had a spirit of deep respect for Maori, similar to that of Sir Douglas Graham. I pay respect to these greats today too from Los Angeles, The Entertainment Capitol of the World.]
For all of you Hollywood readers –manners with a reply back is how I was raised. My reply: E pehea ana a Lucas raua ko Kylie Brown? Kia ora te whanau katoa. Kia kaha.
Maiki Sherman appears at the end of the clip, rocking it in the Maori language. Is New Zealand getting a cultural revolution in between filming Hobbits in 3D for Hollywood audiences, or what? So exciting to see Maori and Polynesian culture thriving. That’s the spirit. It would be awesome to see a leader from the Tamaki Electorate develop and foster Maori Art House Cinema in Tamaki and take Maori and Polynesian cultural operatic performance to cirque de Soleil heights too, in Tamaki.
We need cultural visibility in theater, film, fashion, globally competitive music and dance choreography that’s relatable, emulatable and appealing — across all arts genres diversity to compete with the way visual arts, are being used in political circles today.
In observing political trends in and from the USA – A nation’s arts, proceeds it’s message of political value. There’s no way around that. Art and culture is the artistic armory of Kings to trade within a culturally nuanced global market place.
Now there’s a challenge for a Tamaki electorate leader to foster and ensure for Auckland City’s global presence – for our Prime Minister and nation’s culture and economy growing and feeding into each other, naturally, like enriched dialogue depicting intelligence of expression and maturity of nationhood, in our pride and sense of place – from a paradise nation rich and beautiful in ecological resource. 
[Message to Tamaki Electorate - Horiwood Hollywood, is pictured holding Wellington-based Maori-produced magazine Tu Mai in Hollywood California. Held is an image of visual artist, model and talent, Yasmin Bidois, 15, symbolizing people wealth of our young people’s talented potential. Yasmin wears a Hei Tiki in pounamu worn by Wahine Rangatira of the Chiefly ancients – but now, a young woman faces the challenges before her in a modern world. This image depicts a visible age of Maori and Polynesian in the age of iPhone mobile telephony and all media globally.
The artistic statement is: “Maori on French Art fusion via Hollywood, California USA.” All Maori produced media in making this low budget visual message. Put simply – Visibility is our credibility. Let’s get louder and more visual to express and grow Tamaki’s artistic cultural potential in The World and to compete in a global economy. Korowai evening dress, Yves St Laurent, couture of France, 1952. In honor of French-Maori connection in the arts, as Yasmin also symbolizes by blood. We are New Zealand art. Let’s get visual with sophisticated production budgets in creating our own globally appealing artists and messangers of cultural texts that have an appealing message about who we are as Kiwis. Mauri ‘Ola tatou.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.25.10~
SIR TE AHIKAIATA JOHN JOSEPH TUREI IS REMEMBERED FROM HOLLYWOOD
“How can you resolve things speaking in an alien tongue?” he asked in 1983. “The past can only be seen in the language of your ancestors.”–Sir John Turei
Sir Te Ahikaiata John Joseph Turei was remembered in New Zealand.
This great leader of Ngai Tuhoe Maori people did so much for his tribe and Maori in the revitalization of the indigenous Peoples language of New Zealand. His actions and wise words fathered us all.
Haere ra, e Ta. I salute you Tu from Hollywood, The Entertainment Capitol of The World. For the future of all rangatira hou, Mauri Ora Rewa Rewa Ruatoki katoa. Kia kaha tatou. May you exemplify the best of Sir John’s traits to remind us all, what good Maori leadership is and what key cornerstones of it always will be. This his legacy of faith, wisdom, discernment, foresight with prophetic giftings that were rare and love to us all. He saw with the eyes of his wairua, into men’s hearts before they ever opened their mouths. What a man.
Sir John’s humor at surviving the great depression of the 30′s as kid also defines this great man. Another example we need to draw strength from in this times, as defined by these words to the NZ Herald once: “But I suppose I was more fortunate than most in the valley because Dad milked cows. Anyone with more than five cows could survive. You could say I was brought up under a cow’s tit. Milking was something I had to do from the age of six.”
Her served in the Maori battalion in WWII in the Middle East, Egypt, Britiain and Italy. He was a warrior who overcame death, Hitler and death systems for Peace and Life, internationally.
He “played a leading role in the development of Maori language as a foundation member of the Radio Aotearoa Board. He was also a foundation member of the Lion Nathan Scholarship Board for Young Maori achievers and led cultural delegations to China, South Korea, India and the United States.”
He was a man of great faith. During the war he found inspiration from the Presbyterian branch of faith in God. Personally though, I remember him as someone who made me laugh when I saw him speak at Ruatoki. Though strict, he was funny and entertaining too.
Dr. Michael Basset describes his 30 year relationship as a politician with Sir John as knowing these things about him: “Sir John said for me it was a joy to come at an early age under the influence of Sir Apirana Ngata. While John took the name Turei from the man his mother (Te Ahikaiata) was meant to marry, his “biological father” (as John always called Tami Te Whetu), increasingly acknowledged his son and took him along to political gatherings. Long before Turei performed the wero in front of Lord Bledisloe at the opening of the Treaty House at Waitangi in 1934, he had met Ngata, then Native Minister. Having left school early because his grandmother couldn’t afford Te Aute’s uniform, John often accompanied Ngata and Te Whetu on ministerial trips. Carrying bags, polishing shoes and fetching hot water for Ngata’s shaving, enabled John to listen to the old man talking with his closest confidants. John was always a good listener. His eyes would sometimes close in meetings, but he heard everything.”
… Key words: “wise money management for Treaty Settlement monies,” “humbugs vs punctuality”…. He also believed new generations needed to be married with tradition while wanting them to embrace tikanga with diverse modern expression. What he also gave to the people of Panmure and Waipareira in my tribal rohe of Ngati Whaatua, for this too, I say thank you from Hollywood for all Maori in Tamaki – The supercity.
He passed away in Blockhouse Bay where he lived, a city where my own parents first met and fell in love at first sight. From Nga Puhi, my other Maori tribe, Sir John’s words were measured, spoken like bread made of the finest wheat from Whangarei for all in New Zealand. A trait we can all emulate in honor of this great and noble man.
He was a man of Spirit. He was also an academic Dr. He was an ambassador to America, during his lengthy lifetime as a New Zealand leader. “Very much missed.”
[Reporting and executive producing, Tini Molyneux. Presenter, Scotty Morrison. Both for Te Karere. Images of Te Kooti Calvert and his flag for the memory of E Ta Te Ahikaiata today].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.25.10~
HIP HOP ART HOUSE CINEMA by KANYE WEST, AUTEUR and SELITA EBANKS with RUNAWAY
Artists of the world, will always respond to an auteur. The Arts are always created when we cross cultures, to the center and push back in creative response. In this moment, we are the center of the world’s pop culture creation too as artists. We are creating the future by speaking back in response to the present in expression with our unique worldviews and artistic reo (voices) and vision too. Let’s go Maori and Polynesian filmmakers, musicians, artists and entertainers – Horiwood
Who: Kanye West
What: Hip Hop Art House Cinema as a new genre of filmmaking.
Title Work: Runaway, a short film
Duration: 34 mins, 32 secs aprox.
Starring: Selita EBanks and Kanye West
Key Themes: A commentary on America’s nationhood, in Kanye’s lifetime. The rise and fall and what is the rise back up again of the USA. Decadence fused with decay of empire.
The Michael Jackson death of the King of Pop reference, is both respectful and a little spooky in the form of a military like national guard parade, and a blown up head of MJ. The golden phoenix references are powerful. Selita Ebanks is pure art in this role. Naive, beautiful, out of place, learning of a new world–a metaphor of a nation rebuilding, and representing a younger generation in it–as also reflected in a gaggle of strong, youthful ballet-swans, depicted as youthful potential turned statues with their economic? wings ripped off by resulting circumstances of unwise political/ banking leaders of the past. Selita plays the role, of someone being introduced to America now as shown by Kanye, an auteur. She asks: how is it possible to be authentic and survive in your world, when most are cast in stone of economics/ current politics?
Perhaps indicating, patriarchal culture, Kanye’s response is: just stay with me anyway and make love to me. An interesting political commentary, when no one really has an answer to this question Selita posits.
Anyway, it’s a little weird for me, but I love the fact that Kanye has created the Hip Hop Musical, Art House short film genre of cinema. Not enough can be written about that. It’s revolutionary in African-American cinema that he’s done this. Creative plus!!!
Enjoy. And in honor of Taika Cohen‘s artistic filmmaking abilities – who could do the same, for Maori down under, I post this Korowai cloak, as a challenge (or take in Maori) to pick up in future years and do the same as an artist. Maori Art House Cinema, let’s go, thinking outside of commercial, Hollywood narrative structures too – into more artistic expression of Maori cinematic arts. Artists should always respond across cultures to other artists. It’s cultural manners and is also what true artists are about if we hail from centuries-old traditions of artists – which we do as Maori. Any culture with authentic artist will respond from their nation as global artists.
As Maori we are not passive. American culture is boring if it’s monologue. What we need is dialogue for US culture to even be relevant in our Maori mix at all. We don’t just consume from America, we speak back like mature adults, and put our own spin on our own future – as teachers (not children) of America too. So, where’s our film texts (musicals on cinema, please).
Who in New Zealand wants to respond to this, in cinema? I ask. Taika is a good start, with Awanui Reader writing the film’s score and starring in the lead. Ainsley Gardiner, an award winning film producer and Oscar nominated producer, as producer of such a project, showing the strength of good female leadership from New Zealand – would be hot.
But let’s get back to Kanye West’s brilliance and budget spend here. His interweaving on a sound sonic-scape with international accents (German and European) as well as importing the class of Rihanna ‘s hip hop and r n’b proven sound globally via Barbados of the Commonwealth (UK tributes and associations) show’s an American artist seeking cross-cultural ties and connections with a place for Americans in the world. Amidst the American ego–that his nation expects in their pop culture to fuel their own sense of identity, Kanye shows humility too for other nations cultures he’s learned and gleaned from as one of the 30% of Americans who have traveled outside of US borders and dared to be an American minority in another nation’s cultural life–and position himself as a student of the world. I like it that he has and it reflects in this film, from what he’s borrowed and interwoven into his art.
In particular, Kanye uses the elements a lot, of the sky. Perhaps indicating a future where, manipulating the earth’s elements (whether in visual depiction via news footage) or for real, will be common. An oil spill, was the last example of this we witnessed by a multi-national corporation in Mexico’s gulf for example. Oil from depth in the earth’s crust became vapor that filled the sky like a column of smoke. The world had never seen that before, as elements burned from the sea.
Kanye’s film is a version of a vision of America today. Powerful as art and social commentary. He raises the bar of hip hop artists and most music artists too, with this contribution. It’s his version, of “I am King” of pop culture and the arts eg: Muhammad Ali via cinema. Or, his version of “Presidential vision” or “if I was President” in that The Thompson Twins 80′s kinda statement way. Smile America. It does get better, is what West says here. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.24.10~
RIHANNA STUDIES, THE ART OF CELEBRITY AS SOCIOLOGY AND A GQ BRITANNIA MAGAZINE COVER, DECEMBER 2010
I saw that The University of Carolina is offering a Major in Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame. Pop music as a vehicle of leadership in nationhood’s direction is what kids want to study. Really a University should be offering science and advanced mathematics or physics papers in the US in an effort to close the gap on Education being an equipping tool towards being viable competitors in the future direction of a global economy.
If sociology is a lure to get kids into college to see what it’s all about, all good–perhaps they should be offering a 2 hour lecture in Rihanna Studies instead though. Kids would learn just as much, although Rihanna is not technically an American citizen. Although shaping American culture so much as an artist, rather humorously, her visa status is still that of an alien. She is the USA’s Alien Queen of the 2010′s.
In 2008, Rihanna was ranked in the top four on google New Zealand trends for the year. Her live performances in Auckland The Supercity were well appreciated from fans. A then relatively unknown American leader (to the-wider-world), Barack Obama, also made the top ten in this innovative and perceptive trend-spotting small nation. At this time, New Zealand’s current Prime Minister, was not yet ranked in the top ten (Sir Edmund Hillary was instead, at no. 7) yet Rihanna and Mr Obama were on New Zealand’s cultural radar of people they like.
As a comparison, Australia ranked Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole Smith in their top ten and Mr Obama was not yet on the radar in Australia’s mindsets at all that same year in a significant way. Rihanna however (was ranked no.9 in Australia that year as a trend) denoting that she is a key figure and entertainer to the South Pacific and Asia Pacific territories. She was the only person of color in Australia’s top ten that year to ‘cross-over’ as an accepted trend, whereas New Zealand had 3 people of color trend that same year. It is fair to say, that as a star, leader and a cultural-architect artist of a modern world–that Rihanna is always a forerunner of the world’s elite leaders. This is her destiny as a person. Let’s look at what she’s gifted the American people, so far.
What would GQ be, without its Rihanna magazine covers in the US or Britannia? You need at least one Rihanna moment as your cover girl each year to be a successful men’s magazine. This girl is both pretty, tough and resilient in making a comeback when beaten down. She can also make a fashion accessory super hot–that all stars emulate and fashion designers incorporate into their styles of design. She’s the edge of trendsetting when she feels like playing the diva role.
She also gave America a powerful image of someone who recovered from post traumatic stress disorder of something unexpected that can hit a life in America, requiring a major rebuilding effort. Her Chris Brown domestic violence saga of the past catapulted Rihanna into superstar status. Resilience was added to her star exotic brand in that tragic moment of callous American mistreatment by young Chris towards a foreigner living and working in Los Angeles. That media moment was bloody awful. Thankfully Chris Brown has moved on from the incident too now, maturing from it also.
There has never been anyone who lived in Hollywood Hills, quite like Rihanna who has contributed to American culture in difficult years, offering hope or distraction or attitude or just good fun. She’s quite unique. Via Barbados and the Commonwealth, along with Beyonce she is the All American Girl inspirer of the last decade. Next year, I wonder if actor/ singer/ fashion sequer and stylist, Kat Graham, a newbie who is currently sporting top hats of British gentry of the UK, will get to land on GQ too?
In the meantime, here’s the hardworking Riri, amusing Britain with those looks. In the last 11 months, she’s just not stopped working. Respec. In fact Rihanna’s music accomplishments are second to none in America–she’s pop royalty and the Commonwealth’s black queen of pop. In 2008 when Rihanna performed live for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, she wore earrings reflecting the shape of the late Princess Diana‘s engagement ring, the same ring now being worn by Kate Middleton. With her symbology that constitutes pop star monarchy’s iconography, that millions of people worldwide follow–as symbols of empire that they think define them, Rihanna is always smart. Equally subtle as confrontation, a rare mix. Rihanna is a little naughty, she’s the only music artist to give the Queen a diva snear at the end of her performance, before she curtsied–an expression the Queen would never allow herself to do in public, even if she wanted to. The moment from Rihanna is cute.
Hitfix reports that Riri (who this blog is sorta named after too), is the no.1 charting artist of the millennium. The music website writes: “Only Girl In the World jumps to No. 1 this week, giving Rihanna her second single from Loud to hit the top spot. Two weeks ago, What’s My Name featuring Drake was at No. 1. Loud debuts at No. 3 this week on the Billboard 200.
Riri makes history. It is the first time (more…)
November 30, 2010 | Categories: America, Arabic, Barbados, California, Culture, Diversity, Domestic Violence, Economy, Education, Fashion, Fashion Accessories, Hollywood Entertainment News, Hollywood History, Hot Chocolate, Innovation, Katy Perry, Leadership, Michael Jackson, Music Industry News, Music Videos, New Zealand, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, Rihanna, Sir Edmund Hillary, Spirit, Trends, UK, World Peace | Tags: A Diverse View, America, Arabic, Architectural Design, Asia-Pacific, Asia-Pacific Television Hollywood, Barbados, California, Caribbean Television Service Hollywood, Combatting Racism, Commonwealth, Commonwealth Television Service Hollywood, Creativity Award, Cross-cultural Narratives, Culture, Diversity, Domestic Violence, Economic Growth Opportunities, Economy, Education, Fashion, Fashion Accessories, Fashion Profile, Gratitude, Hollywood Entertainment News, Hollywood History, Hot Chocolate, Innovation, Kat Graham, Kate Middleton, Katy Perry, Leadership, Maori Television Service Hollywood, Marketing & Branding, Michael Jackson, Music Industry News, Music Videos, New Zealand, Pop Culture Commentary, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PR PR PR, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, Rihanna, Sir Edmund Hillary, South Pacific Television Hollywood, Spirit, Star System - The Art of American Celebrity, Star System - The Art of British Celebrity, Tini Molyneux, Trends, UK, United Kingdom Television Service Hollywood, World Peace | 1 Comment »