THISDAY MUSIC & FASHION SHOW

As THISDAY 'African Rising' Festival Storms Lagos Polo Field...Chris Brown, Mary J Arrive, •Boateng, Naomi, Beckford, Oluchi, Alek Wek too07.13.2008
The train of the current biggest event in Nigeria's social scene left Abuja yesterday and arrived Lagos today as the THISDAY Music and Fashion Festival, themed 'African Rising', will hold at the Polo Club Field in Ikoyi this evening.Two of the stars that would entertain music lovers, Chris Brown and Mary J. Blige arrived Lagos from the United States yesterday afternoon.Also in Lagos to demonstrate their acts to fashionistas are international coutorers and models Ozwald Boateng, Naomi Campbell, Oluchi, Tyson Beckford and Alek Wek.Brown who flew into Lagos yesterday looked so relaxed as he sported a white T-shirt over jean trousers. The T-shirt has the inscription 'Billionaire Boys Club'. He came in with some of his band members.Some of the other international artistes billed to perform in Lagos and the fashion icons ready to thrill the audience are already in Lagos.The Polo Ground in Ikoyi has also been transformed as an immaculate Dome now sits pretty on the ground.The organisers of the show said after the successful outing they had in Abuja in which leading lights of the private and public sectors, the diplomatic and security circles mingled freely with other fun-loving youths to listen to world renowned artistes, the Lagos show would definitely be an improvement.Comprehensive security arrangement involving the police, state security services and private firms had been put in place to ensure patrons enjoy the festival without any ugly incident.After the Lagos show, the music festival will move on to the international circuit next month as the third part would hold in Washington DC on August 1. The grand finale will take place in London on October 13.This year's edition of the THISDAY Music and Fashion Festival which is the third is designed to celebrate the best of Africa and to chart new development approach for the continent.The message of the festival titled 'Africa Rising' is to send inform the international community that what Africa needs is not aid and grant but massive investment in infrastructure and microfinance which will help the individual countries and their citizenry to fully develop their potentials.