Millennium in the City of Angeles

By: D. Amdemichael

Sep 18, 2007

Held in Los Angeles at the beautiful Wilshire Plaza Hotel on September 14th, the Ethiopian Millennium was celebrated with unmatched exuberance and cheer. Hundreds of people, of all races, nationalities and religious affiliations came to enjoy the moment. There were distinguished guests from various countries: Argentina, Armenia, Belize, Bulgaria, Germany, Kenya, Japan, Latvia, Romania, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, South-Africa, Sri Lanka and Turkey, all represented by their Honorable Consul Generals.

Also present were representatives from the County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, and City of Inglewood. Ms. Kelli Gould, Special Assistant to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, read a congratulatory letter from him on the occasion of the millennium. Recognition of the impeccable work His Excellency Ambassador Taye  and his diligent staff have been doing as a representative of Ethiopia came from various governmental agencies as well. Ms. Glenda Wina of the Office of the Protocol delivered a remarkable speech wishing Ethiopia prosperity and joy for the new millennium. The letter from Lieutenant-Governor John Garamendi was also read by Ato Daniel Gizaw.

The event started around 6.00 pm with a wonderful film on the history of Ethiopia, followed by dessert and refreshments. A welcoming speech from the M/C Ato Daniel Gizaw was followed by benedictions rendered by Abba Haile-Selassie and Aba Gebre-Medhin from the Ethiopian Orthodox Trinity Church of Los Angeles. Another benediction was given by Reverend Walter Garette of the AME Church of Los Angeles. Then Consul-General Roy Young (Belize), Dean of the Los Angeles Consulate Corps made a poignant speech about what Ethiopia means to the thousands of black people in the Western world.

Immediately after Consul-General Roy Young’s speech, the keynote speaker, His Excellency Ambassador Taye A. Selassie, was welcomed with applause. In his speech, the Ambassador conveyed Ethiopia’s readiness to embrace modernity. While he didn’t ignore the factors that could be distressful during the journey ahead, he, nevertheless, was optimistic about Ethiopia’s future. From his impassioned speech flowed confidence, promise, and the pledge that his nation will join all other advanced nations in the Third Millennium!

When the Ambassador’s speech was over, a musical video presentation by Charlie Mak, Big Poppa Smith and Teddy Mak from Addis Ababa cheered the invited guests. Then, the ambience in the hall suddenly changed when young Ethiopian dancers entertained the guests with their extraordinary talent, performing the eskista. The young dancers touring the United States were natural entertainers. Aged from seven to thirteen, they showed, without any fright of the stage, a remarkable confidence during their performance.

Then the prolific Gospel singer Pastor Iris Hailu, with her golden voice, brought fresh energy into the hall. Lifting up her voice, she crooned melodiously, extolling God and acclaiming His work.

After Pastor Iris’s incredible songs, a young gospel recording artist, Singer Shekinah was introduced. She, in turn, thrilled her listeners with her captivating voice. Shekinah is the 2006 runner-up of California’s Urban Idol, and Like Pastor Iris, she, too, filled the hall with abundant energy and inspiration.

This was followed by a speech from a renowned medical doctor by profession and the Consul-General of St. Vincent and Grenada. Known by his friends as Poet Consul-General and a great Shakespearean, the Honorable Dr. Cardin Gill vicariously took his listeners to Africa as he recounted his amazing travel experience to the continent several years back. The honorable Consul General concluded his speech by wishing all Ethiopians all over the world a happy millennium.

Now came Jamie Jones, the sensational African-American R&B singer, whose song “The Rise” has sold over 15 million copies. While his wife, the beautiful Ethiopian Hanna Jones watched, Jamie took the stage, his voice rising powerfully, as loud as thunder, thrilling the crowd.

Oh, what a voice!

Then, at last, the Ethiopian singer, the one and only Ahmed came, accompanied by Guade, the talented Masinko player. Ahmed’s voice was pure ecstasy. His rich baritone voice was mesmerizing, able to bewitch and bedazzle not only the Ethiopian audience but the foreign guests as well. Inspired, some of the guests came to the stage and danced the famous eskista, enjoying the night.

The millennium in the City of the Angeles was a smash, thanks to the Ethiopian Consul General  and his diligent, talented staff.

The MC, in his concluding remarks, thanked everyone and promised that we shall all meet again in the Fourth Millennium (imagine coming back to the same place after 1000 years), for another spectacular bash!