eMetro Times March2018 V318 | Page 9

March 2018 Page 9

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

2ND GRADER FROM CONYERS LEAKS THE SEQUAL TO BLACK PANTHER

Over the last few weeks, the media has been overwhelmed with critiques and reviews of the newest Marvel movie, Black Panther. Black Panther has shattered the glass ceiling, and this superhero is reviving the story of Africa as the symbol of prominence and wholeness for African- Americans. IMDb states that after Black Panther’ s father dies in the Captain America movie, T’ Challa returns to the African nation of Wakanda to be their king. He soon finds

that he is challenged for the throne and he fights to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war( IMDb). After all the events of the movie take place, at the very end, after the first credits, you will see a powerful and fast little girl as she runs out of a hut in the village of Wakanda. She says,“ The White Wolf” in the language of Xhosa.

This little girl’ s name is Zani Mogodi and she lives right here in Conyers, GA.

I recently talked with Zani and her mother about their experience of being a part of Black Panther. Zani’ s mother, Maloase, works for the South African Chamber of Commerce in America with Andrew Young. She travels back and forth with people from Atlanta to South Africa. There were casting scouts who had seen Zani on these trips were looking for a young girl who spoke Xhosa. They knew Maloase’ s daughter would fit the role they needed to fill. They called the office of Andrew Young and asked if Zani would play the part. Without any auditions, she was perfect for the part. They wanted to celebrate the culture of South Africa, and this little one would do just that. Zani is a 7-year-old, in the 2nd grade and loves school. She currently attends Barksdale Elementary when asked what she enjoys doing, she said,“ I love to run.” How fitting is it that she is running in the postcredits? Zani said,“ I was the one in front because I am the fastest. I asked Zani about her experience on the set because I wanted to know how a 7 year old sees the business of entertainment and being on set. She said that she loved the makeup, the clothes, and the modeling. She loved every part about being on the set. Modeling is a dream that Zani has had for a while now.

Maloase states that South Africans feel they have a connection with Zani because she is from their homeland. Her role in this movie will make South Africans proud to have one of their own on the big screen. Maloase said,“ When we go home, she is going to have a lot of interviews.” This movie will open a many doors for her with modeling and acting. Zani and her family will go back to South Africa in the summertime to visit.

So, what will Zani be doing while she’ s in Conyers? She is currently a member of Eboni Stephens Model and Video Agency, right in Olde Town Conyers. ESMV Creative Arts Agency is“ The Home of Fashion & Entertainment”. ESMV was established in 2004 in Junction City, Kansas by a US military service woman who was a child actress and model. It started off as a modeling agency that only offered services to models who wanted to help brand the company itself. ESMV then produced several fashion shows and became known for having the most beautiful models in the area hosting car shows, club events and private events( http:// www. esmvcreative. com). They grew from there and moved to several different cities and then ended up in Atlanta. ESMV is ready to take it to the next level and is now a one-stop shop for all. They not only develop and brand talent but if a company, organization or celebrity is looking for talent, event coordination, make-up artists, designers, seat fillers, etc., ESMV is where you should go. They are in the business of making dreams become reality. I did have the opportunity of meeting the team members at ESMV, and they are lovely people who all share a passion for what they do. Zani will be taking different modeling and acting classes that they offer. Maloase said that they did a lot of shooting but only a small part of the shooting was used for this movie. They have hopes that maybe more will be used in the sequel but until then the director asked that she take acting classes to develop her talents as an actress. We are hoping to see more of this sweet but strong little girl in the sequel of Black Panther.

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PAT CAVANAUGH CHIEF ADVISOR

THOUGHTS OF A BABY BOOMER

I have always been proud of my Irish Heritage. Throughout the years I have seen and participated in some of the best St. Patrick’ s Day traditions in the country. One of our family traditions is the Leprechaun’ s visit. He leaves a present for the children, always sprinkling gold dust as a sign that he was there. It’ s interesting to note that St. Patrick’ s Day celebrations such as, drinking too much beer and eating Corned Beef and Cabbage are solely American traditions. In Ireland, the observance of St. Patrick’ s Day was a Church celebration, until recently.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of celebrating this grand holiday in places such as Denver, which boasts the largest parade. One year, the Grand Marshall was a real leprechaun. Later that night while we were eating, I spotted him in the corner of the bar drinking some Harp Lager. I asked him if he would stop by our table and tell my daughter that even though we were staying in a hotel that night, he would still be visiting her as usual. He did just that, and she believed until I finally had to tell her that the Leprechaun only comes to visit

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young children. At 25, she was no longer part of that group.

My then 8 year old granddaughter who also looked forward to the visit, told her classmates about the leprechaun that visited her the night before leaving a present. One of her classmates said to her that there was no such thing as leprechauns. She just smiled and told him that was why he didn’ t receive a present. My granddaughter is much smarter than the leprechaun, myself and her classmate!

In San Diego, I was a member of the Sons of St. Patrick. In addition to a grand parade that took place every year, the whole group would meet, and we would hold a wake. Members that lost someone over the past year would get up on the stage and talk about their dearly beloved. All would toast in their honor, shed tears of joy, not only for the toasts but knowing that the dear one was

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up in heaven toasting right along with us.

Here are a couple of interesting facts about St. Patricks Day. The celebration started in this country in 1762 in Boston, not by Catholics, but by Protestants. Horror of horror’ s, it’ s a dark secret that old St. Patrick was not born of the old sod. He was British probably from Wales. The actual color of St. Patrick was not green but in fact was blue. My former brethren changed the great day’ s color to green because that color reminded them of the beautiful Emerald Isle they left behind.

Of all my traditions, the best ones have happened here in our community of Conyers. We have the finest and shortest parade in the world that is open to all to participate. Those who do, as well as the bystanders, anticipate its end with a visit to the Celtic Tavern or The Point to enjoy a cold green brew shared in neighborly fellowship.

If you seek more excitement than the parade, the Rotary proudly sponsors the world shortest run. The race is always followed by a big old hearse driven by a smiling Scot Ward. He is always ready to pick up any stragglers. Only in a community such as ours can you find such a grand celebration of St. Patricks Day.

In closing, I offer a noteworthy toast to the late Charles Walker, our friend, and former Mayor. Along with a few of his friends, he had the vision to make our St. Patricks day celebration come to life.

To all the days here and after, may they be filled with fond memories, happiness, and laughter.