MEXICO CITY (Reuters Life!) - Colombian singer Shakira is using her fame as a top-selling artist and hip-swiveling dancer to help poor Latin American children but she also has her heart set on a new role - mother to her own children. "I want two," Skakira told Reuters on Thursday at an event to promote her charity, the ALAS Foundation (which stands for Latin America in Solidarity Action when translated into English) that was set up in 2006 to help needy Latin American children.
But asked when she would like to start a family, she laughed nervously and said: "That's a good question." Shakira, 31, has been dating Antonio de la Rua, the son of a former Argentine president, for nearly eight years, with swarms of photographers constantly tailing the celebrity couple looking for hints about a possible wedding. Shakira is the biggest-selling Spanish singer of all time, having sold more than 50 million albums in English and Spanish worldwide, and wants to use her fame to raise awareness about the extreme poverty affecting millions of Latin American children.
Recently she visited British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to talk about third world education and also went to Capitol Hill in Washington to urge U.S. Congress to approve more spending to help send the world's poor children to school. "There are 40 million children in Latin America who have no access to any kind of development program, who receive no stimulation, nutrition or education and need to be nurtured and taken care of," she said in an interview with Reuters. "Artists have a tremendous power to communicate, to reach people, to woo, to inspire. It's an important and fundamental part of my life to be able to use my public profile to make certain issues visible, issues that are more important than my own career, that are more urgent and need immediate attention."
Her own charity, the Pies Descalzos Foundation, has been raising money since 1997 for some of the poorest children in her home country, Colombia, where the singer is widely admired. Dressed in a grey vest, black denim pants and high-heeled boots, the petite singer said that regardless of her commitment to help those in need, she did not plan to quit singing. "It is very important to continue making music and continue doing my job," said Shakira, whose name means "thankful" in Arabic. "This is the life that I have to live and so far it hasn't been bad." On Thursday, Shakira announced that Carlos Slim, Mexico's richest man, and Howard Buffett, son of U.S. investment guru Warren Buffett, had pledged nearly $200 million between them to the ALAS Foundation.
Shakira and Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz will perform in Buenos Aires on Saturday along with other Latin American artists in a massive, free concert to raise awareness of about the 32 million children living in poverty in Latin America.
A host of Latin celebrities including the likes of Shakira and Ricky Martin are doing their share of charity by performing at two fundraising concerts to highlight the plight of some 32m Latin American children living in poverty. The concerts will be held in the two Buenos Aires and Mexico City and will be attended by many thousands of viewers. The proceeds of the two events, being held simultaneously in Argentina and Mexico, will be going to the Latin America in Solidarity Action (Alas) charity.
Earlier Shakira revealed that she had managed to get 200m dollars in donations from Mexican and US tycoons Carlos Slim and Howard Buffett and said that the eradication of poverty was "doable."While Slim is the telecommunications magnate, Howard Buffet is the eldest son of the US investment guru, Warren Buffett. "Imagine what Latin America could achieve if we invest in developing the potential of these children," BBC quoted Shakira, as saying earlier this week. She added: "The funny thing is that Latin America produces three times what it needs to feed its population. So, it is doable, we can really eradicate poverty." It was in 2006 that Alas was launched for dealing with poverty that kills an estimated 350,000 children each year in Latin America.
Turkish belly dancer Tanyeli on her item number in Mission Istanbul and why every woman must learn the dance form
Luscious curves, cascading locks, pouted lips and fiery eyes—that’s world renowned Turkish belly dancer Tanyeli, who will be seen performing an ‘item’ number in Apoorva Lakhia’s Mission Istanbul.
An act of prayer
Tanyeli who has performed for Princess Margaret of England and the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, says belly dancing is like ‘prayer’. “I don’t believe in shaking the body and making seductive moves. My dance is about freedom of expression and delicate movements.”
Coming back to Mission Istanbul, Tanyeli is performing the Indian version of Bob Sinclar’s number World hold on, which goes as Ruba dilruba in the film. She agreed to do it because the film is based on her country. “I love losing myself in dance. India has a heritage of classical dance including Kathakali. I regard Madhuri Dixit, Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan as great dancers,” she says. Pop singersShakira and Beyonce are among her other favourite dancers.
Incidentally, belly dancing has been a tradition in Tanyeli’s family. “The number Aawara hoon in Raj Kapoor’s Awara has been a crucial part of my growing up years,” she says even as she hums the song.
Belly benefits
When told that belly dancing is not taken seriously in India she retorts, “If Indian folk dances, which involve the movement of belly, are considered pure then what’s wrong with belly dancing?” She adds, “I believe every woman should learn belly dancing. It is the best way to fire-up the seven chakras of the body, which are the crucial energy generators. It keeps you fit, helps in giving natural birth and is the best form of meditation. I am reborn each time I perform.”
Future form
Though she doesn’t have any plans to continue in films, Tanyeli is considering opening a training school here to make belly dancing a popular form. She is also currently hosting the dance training programme Oriental Live Show in Turkey. When asked if she looks up to anybody for inspiration, she says, “People look up to me for inspiration. I look up to no one but God.”
Megan Granderson, a senior at Castle High School, was recently recognized for her achievement as a state officeholder in the Health Occupation Student Association at a ceremony in Indianapolis. Her parents are Victor Granderson of Evansville and Mary Jane Granderson of Chandler. She plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana in the fall as a nursing student.
Fourteen art students from Central High School received awards during the 2008 American General Financial Services Art Show recently. In the two-dimensional art category, Halli Nall took first place; Krya Schmidt, second place; Kristine Croxton, third place; and Rachel Cartwright and Lindsey Wannemuehler received an honorable mention. In the three-dimensional art category, Stormy Kennedy took first place; Brittany Steele, second place; Natalie Yesbick, third place; and Stephanie Rexing and Shakira Washington received an honorable mention.
In the photography category, Monica Block took first place; Theresia Russell, second place; and Amy Rexing received an honorable mention. Nicole Hensley received the Employees' Choice Award and Best of Show. The show was juried by David Rodenberg and Nancy Raen-Mendez. Each student received a gift card, a certificate of achievement and an award ribbon.
The Northside Kiwanis Club will award scholarships to high school seniors May 13 at a noon luncheon at Meadows Catering on First Avenue. They are Chelsie A Feagley, Memorial; Tabitha Cravens, North; Zachary K. Hermayer, Harrison; Ashley Adler and Pamela Weinzapfel, Mater Dei; Eric Hohimer, Bosse High; and Shakira Washington and Shelise Washington, Central.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters Life!) - Colombian singer Shakira is using her fame as a top-selling artist and hip-swiveling dancer to help poor Latin American children but she also has her heart set on a new role - mother to her own children. "I want two," Skakira told Reuters on Thursday at an event to promote her charity, the ALAS Foundation (which stands for Latin America in Solidarity Action when translated into English) that was set up in 2006 to help needy Latin American children.
