BET’S BIG TIGGER AND MTV’S KULE FOR DUAL SCREENING OF SHUGA

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation will be hosting a unique World AIDS Day event, Shuga Talks, in which two simultaneous screenings of MTV Staying Alive drama Shuga will be held in Nairobi, Kenya and Washington, D.C. on December  today.  

Following the screenings, audience members - those attending in person and watching from home - will have the opportunity to participate in a live video discussion via satellite, and engage with other young people around the world using social media platforms, to address key HIV and AIDS issues highlighted in the show.

Hosted by BET entertainer Big Tigger (Rap City, 106 & Park) in Washington, D.C. and MTV Africa VJ Kule Ekirapa in Nairobi, viewers at home will have the chance to tune in to the debate that will be streamed live at www.mtvshuga.com/shugatalks. In addition, testing centers will be present at both screenings to encourage audience members to get tested.

“MTV Staying Alive is dedicated to creating new and innovative ways to empower young people engaged in fighting the stigma, spread and threat of the HIV and AIDS epidemic around the world,” said Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation.  “Shuga is an authentic, provocative piece of entertainment, and with initiatives like Shuga Talks, we are encouraging young people to explore important HIV and AIDS issues in unexpected ways.”

The second series, Shuga: Love, Sex Money, will premier on Valentine’s Day, February 14th 2012.

FRESH NEW: PEPE HAZE FT. STEPH MCKEE - RAIN ON MY LIPS

MTV Shuga actor Pepe Haze has a new song.It is basically the first ever stop motion Kenyan music video. Sitasema mingi just check it out.

WHEN LUPITA PLANKED…PUBLICLY

MTV Shuga actress Lupita Nyongo was dared to plank, and plank she did – after being voted to do so on the MTV Shuga Facebook page. And as the rules state, the more public the plank the better. Lupita did just that.



Lupita has been acting for a long time from starring in phoenix productions to featuring in a short film by American producer Marc Grey. She is however, famed for her role as Ayira on the 3-part MTV series, Shuga.



Ayira is the most ambitious and beautiful girl who oozes sex appeal. She is very aware of her appeal and uses it to get ahead in life. She distrusts men and in her life, love is a second priority, a luxury.



In a past interview with Hot Secrets, Lupita likened herself to her on screen character Ayira. "We have a lot in common, we both have big dreams and we make questionable choices in our relationships. But the anger in her (Ayira), I don't have,” she continued, “It was challenging to bring out that side of her."

ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY? MTV SHUGA LOOKING FOR RISING STARS

The upcoming production of Shuga: Love, Sex, Money, the award-winning sex-and-relationships HIV and AIDS TV drama will give twelve Kenyans an opportunity to learn from expert film makers and public health practitioners. Under the Rising Stars initiative, young Kenyans aged between 18-24 will gain valuable experience.



Running alongside a six-month Theatre and Film course offered by the NYTA, twelve young and talented Kenyans will be selected to work across key disciplines associated with the production of Shuga: Love, Sex, Money, including Acting, Directing, Producing, Cinematography, Marketing and Public Health. Each participant will split their time between individual coaching sessions with a dedicated mentor, shadowing their mentor as they go about their duties on the set of Shuga: Love, Sex, and Money, and learning additional life skills at the NYTA.



To apply to participate in the Rising Stars programme, applicants must complete the online application form at www.mtvshuga.com from July 7, 2011. Applicants should be Kenyan residents, aged between 18-24 and should be out of full-time education. Applications open July 7, and close on July 17; the mentees will be notified by August 1, 2011. Shuga: Love, Sex, Money goes into production in Kenya between August-September 2011.



Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, “We are thrilled that this mentorship programme will empower Kenyan youth by developing their talents and deepening their insights into the media industry while working on one of the most exciting TV franchises in Africa.”
Commented Georgia Arnold, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation: “This mentorship programme takes Shuga to a whole new level by immersing young Kenyans in the creative process of making a TV series which combines entertainment with high production values and serious messages about the HIV epidemic.”



‘Identifying, nurturing and providing opportunities for young talented individuals in the field of film production, public health and marketing communications is one that we are excited about,’ said Lydia Murimi, HFG/K Country Director. ‘The partnership, championed by PEPFAR, with NYTA and MTV Networks, has brought about an additional component with mentors who will give their time, expertise and support. Imparting these job skills to the next generation is a start, and in the next generation we hope that it will continue to be passed on. This is the start. It’s a great beginning.’