THE EXPERIENCE: Live and Interactive Pop-Up Studio Show Activations

The vast beautiful, lush spread of the mind-blowing ultra-modern Tinapa Film Studios in the golden city of Calabar opened up to an array of energetic, passionate, bubbly Etighi dancers defying the rainy and cold evening, as they welcomed highly expectant guests into the warmth of their frenzied, mesmerizing and rhythmically rhapsodic steps, prompting few guests to playfully join in the cultural charade in their own bid to shake off the chilly weather.

Many distinguished personalities including His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, the First Lady, Mrs Obioma Imoke, his team, reporters, bloggers and celebrity guests immediately commenced on a guided tour of the Tinapa Studios facility, with the Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, the Executive Management of the channel and the staff.

The live and interactive Pop-Up Studio experience activations began in the highest of spirits, with funny Wazobia Fm OAP, Emma Oh Ma God and hilarious personality Chigul as the Masters of Ceremonies. They smoothly eased the expectant guests with rib-cracking jokes, before delving into the exciting, orchestrated agenda of the evening, starting at the live studio set of  EL Now – The Daily Entertainment Magazine Show featuring exclusive entertainment and celebrity news from around the world – which blazed the trail on the night with hosts, Ade Laoye and Cynthia Kamalu thrilling everyone with their wit and charm, while the sonorous and effervescent live music cruised in the background as Ekeng Bassey serenaded guests with his mellifluous voice.

Next stop is The Spot coming alive with Talk meeting Sitcom in a live and unique hang-out style talk show format with Zainab Balogun, Lamide Akintobi, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Noble Igwe, Oreka Godis, Lala Akindoju, Cynthia Nbanefo making it The Spot to chat up everyone into ecstasy and bliss, not to mention having fun as they competed in a game of twister.

EL Reports came alive with Arit Opko showing why she is one of the new, upcoming OAPs to watch out for on the continent. The svelte, global black, Africana cool producer and presenter demystified her award winning show by doing what she loves to do best – presenting the latest African headlines, with positive, progressive, upbeat and up to-date news from around the continent and the globe!

The Fattening Room, a key reference point in homegrown, original and premium African programming, revealed just why six beautiful young, modern and single women from Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya converged in the picturesque paradise city of Calabar to embark on the journey of self-discovery via the age-old Efik tradition given a modern twist. The Etighi dancers graced us with more vibrant energy and display during the live activation as the channel’s CEO, Mo Abudu and First Lady, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke proved themselves worthy on the dance floor while the other guests clapped on in delight.

Things climbed up to a personal note as the first couple of a state stepped up to the late night show mic to share valuable, intimate love and relationship secrets gathered over 22 whopping years of rough tides and romance! Though you have watched the love doctors do their stuff over the last year, but guests were privileged to hear from experts from the school of life as the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke turned executive experts on Love Lounge – the unique late night Radio/TV simulcast talk show about Love, Sex & Relationships, with the beautiful and lively Oreka Godis.

As we went deeper into the night, people got to interact and mingle with EbonyLife TV presenters, producers and the backstage crew that makes all the magic happen behind the scenes while correspondent journalists proceeded on a guided tour of the entire facility, taking notes and basking in the beautiful view of the well-lit, glistening grounds of the ultra-modern studio.

It was all laughter and merriment at dinner time as both guests and crew lined up at the buffet table for a taste from the mouth-watering display of delectable dishes. In no time, everyone was seated around exquisitely decorated tables with their meals, sharing small talk while gently bobbing their heads to the soft sounds of groovy music from a disc jockey at the corner of the hall.

Plates cleared, belly filled, the speakers turned to the highest, the party started and everyone shuffled to the dance floor, taking turns to show individual dancing skills as the night grew darker and deeper marking the smashing, one-in a lifetime event as one that went down in history in a captivating flurry of great, incredible things happening to African entertainment.