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Damola Durosomo
Apr. 19, 2018 02:31PM EST

Idris Elba Will Star As a Struggling DJ & Nanny In a New Netflix Comedy

Elba will flex his acting chops once again in his forthcoming Netflix series "Turn Up Charlie."

There's no slowing Idris Elba down.

Fresh off the release of his family-friendly comedy sitcom In the Long Run, which premiered on Sky One in March, the actor has now signed on as co-creator, producer and lead actor in a forthcoming Netflix comedy Turn Up Charlie, reports Variety.The show's eight-episode first season has been ordered by the streaming company.

Turn Up Charlie appears to mirror bits of Elba's past life, as it tells the story of a DJ on the come-up in London.

Here's a brief synopsis of the show via Variety:

Co-created by Elba and TV producer Gary Reich, the series follows Charlie (Elba), a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor, who's given a final chance at success when he reluctantly becomes a manny to his famous best friend's problem-child daughter.

The show will be co-produced by Elba's own Green Door Pictures and Reich's Brown Eyed Boy Productions. Turn Up Charlie will begin production in May in the UK.

It's great to see the actor flexing his comedy chops once again. We never need an excuse to watch anything he's a part of.


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Places in Lagos to Have Fun this Weekend

From sip and paint and artists’ shows, to finger-licking food, here’s the best places to have fun in Lagos this weekend as March wraps up.

March surely took long enough to end, and what better way to see it go out than attend Pheelz’s inaugural appearance at Industry Nite? The producer-singer had an exciting 2022, releasing the chart-topping single "Finesse," and landing his American TV debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

He’s one to watch this year, and Industry Nite brings the rising act in the same room with fans. Also watch out for Ric Hassani five-night show run starting on Friday. This weekend's lineup of events has a full-range appeal, so let’s get into it.

Movie in the Park: Vintage Edition

Start the weekend early by catching a movie under the stars. Movie in the Park is returning for the first time in 2022, after making statements last year drawing in crowds with their monthly outdoor movie events. This time around, they will be curating nostalgic moments with their Vintage edition, from the dress code, movie selection and overall ambience.

Thursday, March 30, 5 p.m.

Venue: Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island

Cost: N3k

Musical stage play at Terra Kulture

With Easter just around the corner, Terra Kulture will showcase a musical stage play titled "The Witness." It will look at the arrest, trial, and suffering of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Cladia, the wife of Pontius Pilate, the Roman who sentenced him to death. The Witness is put together by Ornaments Production in collaboration with Young and Gifted Academy.

As with all theater productions showcased at Terra Kulture, this is one that shouldn’t be missed. It runs for two days, with flexible time too.

Friday & Saturday, March 31 & April 1, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Venue: Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island

Cost: from N10K (early bird)

Weekends with Ric Hassani

Picking up from last year’s One Night Only, Ric Hassani is about to hop on a stretch of shows that will see him perform every weekend in April. Starting this Friday, the Gentleman singer will serenade fans with a medley of his songs and perhaps tease some new stuff. It’s for a small crowd (70 people), so making reservations is advised.

Friday, March 31, 9 p.m.

Venue: Live Lounge, No 15, Idejo Street, Victoria Island

Cost: Free

Burger Games at Burger King

Courtesy of Coca Cola, which means free drinks, Burger King is making space for games to be played alongside their delicious burgers. There’s also a chance to win goody bags from Burger King, meet people and network. Registration for this event is compulsory because limited seats are available.

Friday, March 31, 6 p.m.

Venue: 11b, Victoria Arobieke, Lekki Phase 1

Cost: Free

The Big Birthday Bash

Imagine having your birthday hosted for you with celebrities that share your birthday turning up? And with food, drinks, games, and music as well? That’s the whole gamut of The Big Birthday Bash, which happens every month. This time, February and March birthday celebrants will take center stage, with DJ Calix Jiggy and DJ Tosan Wiltshire on the turntable.

Friday, March 31, 7 p.m.

Venue: Bayroot Lounge, Victoria Island

Cost: N5K

Live Band Night at Beeriga

Have a calming view of the Lagos Lagoon while enjoying live music from Cool Ice Band. From highlife, and alternative blues to your favourite Nigerian hit songs, soak yourself into the sea ambiance with great music and food.

Saturday, April 1, 7 p.m.

Venue: Bariga Waterfront Jetty, Ijaje, Bariga

Cost: Free

Book Swap at Roving Heights

Bookstore Roving Heights is resuming its tradition of book swapping among customers. Old books across fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and so on can be exchanged for old titles. There will be music and snacks, and a chance to network. Roving Heights will also be giving away free old books.

Saturday, April 1, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Venue: 28, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere

Cost: Free

Industry Nite with Pheelz

More than a decade being Nigeria’s longest-running performance event for new and established artists, rising Afrobeats act and producer Pheelz headlines the next showcase for Industry Nite. With his debut project, Pheelz Good, released after a string of hits, the Lagos-based singer will perform tracks from the EP and show the audience a good time.

Saturday, April 1, 8 p.m.

Venue: Bayroot Bar & Lounge, Victoria Island

Cost:5K

Sip and Paint

​The rise of sip-and-paint events, especially in Lagos, has broken the echo chamber of traditional outings. Sure, there are quite a few things that can be improved in that space, but in the meantime, Alali Studio is hosting a sip-and-paint session under the guidance of professional painters. The experience comes with any beverage of your choice.

Saturday, April 1, 4:30 p.m.

Venue: 32, Musa Yar'adua Victoria Island

Cost: N20K

BBQ wings at Maple Lagos

Though a full-fledged restaurant with starter and main-course dishes, BBQ wings at Maple Lagos is particularly one to try out. Having seen improvement over time, the wings are sweet, sticky, spicy, and fall off the bone. It also packs in some heat, but this can be adjusted to personal taste. Comes with a side of French fries and grilled corn.

Venue: 9, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki

Cost: Free

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Photo By Sean Zanni:Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Trevor Noah To Host Prime Video's First South African Show

Trevor Noah is teaming up with Prime Video to Release the a new South African Show Called ‘LOL: Last One Laughing.'

Trevor Noah is taking his comedic chops to Prime Video with LOL: Last One Laughing, a six-episode stand-up comedy competition series that will be released in 2024.

Noah will be hosting the show, which will feature 10 South African comedians competing to see who can keep a straight face the longest while also trying to make their opponent laugh. The comedians will be given a list of challenges and scenarios in which they must maintain a stoic expression. Each episode will end with the "Last One Laughing" taking home a cash prize of 1 million Rand. LOL: Last One Laughing will be Prime Video’s first South African Original. And with Noah’s sharp wit and comedic acumen at the helm, it will be interesting to see LOL: Last One Laughing come to life in South Africa.

In a statement released to Variety, Noah said:

“I’m excited to be back home to host Prime Video’s first South African Original, LOL: Last One Laughing, and to have a chance to connect with my home audience... I am equally delighted for the opportunity to be working alongside my fellow home-grown comedy stars on a show that not only entertains but gives back to the South African production and charity communities.”

Ned Mitchell, head of Africa and Middle East Originals at Amazon also spoke highly of the upcoming show.

“Comedy, in all its forms, shines among South Africa’s most valuable treasures. Together with an A-list roster of this country’s incredible home-grown comedic talent competing for a great charitable cause,” Mitchell said. “Trevor and Prime Video are demonstrating the depth of our shared ambition to invest and elevate the very best of South Africa for audiences locally and around the world.”
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Photo by Nipah Dennis.

Idris Elba, Black Sherif and Sheryl Lee Ralph Join Kamala Harris in Ghana

Idris Elba, Black Sherif and Sheryl Lee Ralph recently visited a music studio in Ghana with Kamala Harris.

Idris Elba, Black Sherif,Sheryl Lee Ralph and other celebrities joined Vice President Kamala Harris in Ghana as she visited the Vibration studio at the freedom skate park in Accra, Ghana. Harris visited the community recording studio with the stars as part of her weeklong tour of Africa. The visit was a step towards highlighting the growth, talent and evolution of African creatives and the creative industry in Africa. Other notable figures who joined Harris on the tour included Baaba J, Ria Boss, and Moses Sumney.

In the past, British actor Elba, whose mother is Ghanaian, has been vocal about the West supporting and investing in African creatives. Earlier this month, he joined forces with Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu to launch a joint film and TV venture that would support new projects from rising African talent in the continent and the diaspora.

While talking with the press, the “Luther” actor said that he and his wife first met Harris at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit last year.

“[Harris] said, ‘Hey, I really want to come to Africa. And we said we’d love to do that,’” Elba told White House press reporters in Ghana, according to The Hill.

“If you ever go to Africa, let me know,” Elba said. “So here we are.”

The Golden Globe winner also mentioned that the creative talent pool in Africa is rich, and it was a good idea that Harris had visited.

“I think it’s a great signal for VP to come to Ghana, to come to Africa and be that interface to show the rest of the world that actually it is a fantastic place to sort of look at in terms of partnership and investment,” said Elba.

During the event, which gathered a crowd of creatives, Lee sang “Endangered Species,” after which she addressed the attendees.

“You must invest in yourself, in your art, first. And then you birth it out to the world,” Ralph said.

After her visit to Ghana, Harris will make a stop in Tanzania and then wrap up her African tour in Zambia.

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‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Paul Rusesabagina to Be Released From Prison

Paul Rusesabagina, who became renowned for his heroic portrayal in ‘Hotel Rwanda’, has received a presidential-ordered prison commute and will be released.