BEVERLY HILLS, April 11, (THEWILL) – When you hear “AY Live Show”, it’s appropriate to expect nothing but pure entertainment ranging from comedy, music, dance etc. Promoted annually by comedian cum movie producer and actor, Ayo Makun, more popularly known as AY, the AY Live Show is the biggest comedy and music show in Nigeria. The 2021 edition was no different. As has been the tradition from inception, it was held on Easter Sunday and despite the peculiarity of this year’s edition, it was nothing short of fun.
AY Live Show and Covid19: Unlike in time past when all roads leading to Eko Hotel and Suites would have been jam packed from the afternoon of Easter Sunday, by people rushing to get seated in the Expo hall of the hotel for the show, this year’s edition was partly virtual, partly live show in keeping to Covid-19 protocols. The live show accommodated only a limited and approved number of persons. The virtual aspect which was also the first of its kind was transmitted to a worldwide audience for a token. The show lasted for four hours, between 8 pm to 12 midnight. Prior to the show, there was a red-carpet session which only had two approved photographers clicking away as the few invited guests posed for pictures.
The stage play: As is the tradition with every AY Live show, there was a stage play that featured the combination of, ex Big Brother Naija star, Nengi, popular Instagram skit makers, Taaoma, Broda Shaggy, Mr Macaroni and the promoter of the show himself, AY. The play centered on the hilarious interpretation of some of the things that happened between late last year and in recent times. From the #EndSars protest in October, to the harassment and brief spell of Mr Macaroni in prison to the shocking news of actress Tonto Dikeh’s ex-husband marrying his former personal assistant cum actress, Rosy Meurer and welcoming a son etc. The guests had a good laugh.
Two couples win land gifts: One of the sponsors of the show, RevolutionPlus Properties, a real estate firm, gifted two couples at the show landed properties. But to decide on which couple to gift the parcels of land, couples were asked to dance to the delight of guests who acted as judges. The couples were eventually pruned to two couples. The best dancing couple was gifted a parcel of land on the island while the 1st runner up couple got a parcel of land on the mainland.
Item number 7: For the first time since the inception of the show, meals were served to the invited guests. Usually, the norm at the show was to serve assorted finger foods accompanied with all kinds of soft drinks, spirits, wines, brandy, champagne etc. But this year’s edition featured a buffet.
The performers: The show has always centred on comedy and music. Hence, it wasn’t surprising to see quite a number of artists perform at the show.
AY has always made it a habit to give upcoming artists the chance to market their crafts to a large audience at his shows. This year was not different.
After Veentage Band kick started the event, a number of up-and-coming artists took to the stage to do their thing including contestants from AY’s Open Mic Comedy Challenge. One of the upcoming artists who wowed the audience was actress turned singer, Angela Okorie. Others who performed at the show were Acapella, Seyilaw, I Go Dye, Destalker, MI, Iyanya.
Celebrities who graced the show: Apart from the fun aspect of the show, it was a night of glam and glitz as several celebrities and captain of industries attended the show. People like NFA chairman, Amaju Pinnick, Kate Henshaw, Alex Ekubo, IK Ogbonna, Lilian Esoro, Yvonne Jegede, quite a number of ex Big Brother Naija stars etc.
Lanre Makun, the man with the magic hands: AY likes to keep things in the family and so the contract for packaging the flawlessly seamless show was given to his younger brother, Lanre Makun who has been responsible since inception, for packaging all of AY’s shows which holds in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri via his Lanre Makun Events. For his dexterity at his job, Lanre gets contracted to package about 70 per cent of the shows that take place in Lagos and beyond.
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