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OddSide Arts & Riverside BIA Celebrate with Afraspektion on August 7th, 2022

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Afraspektion Celebrates & Highlights the Contributions and Creativity of the Afrodiaspora during Emancipation Month, as part of Sundays at Riverside Common Series

TORONTO /CNW/ – This August marks the second year of celebrating Emancipation Month in Ontario. OddSide Arts and Riverside Business Improvement Area (BIA) invite everyone to come together August 7th, 11am-4pm at Riverside Common Park (657 Queen E, just west of Queen/Broadview) in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood for an opening ceremony and fun day of entertainment and activities.

Afrapekstion (https://riversidecommonevents-aug7th.eventbrite.ca/) invites everyone is welcome to enjoy, free to the public:

  • 11am – Opening ceremony featuring Nenookaasi and libations by Rev. Kemba Byam, hosted by the ever-charismatic Levyi-Alexander J. Love, with words by MPP Peter Tabuns, followed by:
  • 11am-4pm – Curated Market focusing on local Afrodiaspora vendors including food and hand-made goods
  • 11am-4pm – Live music by local artists: Steel pannist Trenyce Sweeney, singer song-writer Markus Aurelyus, and Afro-Caribbean drummer & dancer Emilie Jabouin. PLUS, giveaways, Superhero face-painting and more.
Afraspektion at 657 Queen Street East in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood on August 7th Celebrates & Highlights the Contributions and Creativity of the Afrodiaspora during Emancipation Month, as part of Sundays at Riverside Common Series (CNW Group/Riverside BIA)

The first 25 visitors will receive a $10 voucher to spend at the Market. This is a great opportunity to support local vendors and shop and eat at the 100+ local businesses in Riverside along Queen Street East. More: https://riverside-to.com/ or follow on Instagram @riverside_bia and @oddsidearts

About Afraspektion:

August 1, 2021, was the first time that Canada officially (by Parliamentary Motion) recognized Emancipation Day, when the Slavery Abolition Act was enacted in 1834 to free enslaved Africans and their descendants in colonies of the Caribbean, Africa, South America and Canada.

Afraspektion celebrates and highlights the contributions and creativity of the Afrodiaspora, and honours the legacy of African Canadians. Afraspektion features family friendly entertainment, art, a curated market, music, and activities.

Afraspektion is curated by Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor of OddSide Arts and co-hosted by the Riverside BIA, thanks to support from our generous community supporters: Riverside BIA, Hullmark,Toronto’s Arts Council, Government of Ontario, City of Toronto’s Main Street Innovation Fund, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario.

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More information about Afraspektion, contact:

Nico Taylor – Executive Director of Communications, OddSide Arts – oddsidearts@gmail.com

About Riverside BIA & 2022 Events at Riverside Common Park:

The Riverside BIA, established in 1980, is one of Canada’s first BIAs, located along Queen Street East between the Queen Street Viaduct to just past De Grassi Street. Rich in history, green spaces and public art, the BIA includes over 100 unique eateries, retails shops, boutiques and a range of professional services: https://riverside-to.com/

Riverside Common Park at 657 Queen Street East officially opened in October 2021. The Riverside BIA and community are programming regular activations on Sundays in 2022 as part of welcoming everyone to enjoy what our local business district and neighbourhood has to offer. The full schedule of Sundays at Riverside Common is: https://riverside-to.com/riverside-common-events/

SOURCE Riverside BIA

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Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art.

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Entertainment

Tencent Games Unleashes Future Insights and Technologies at GDC 2024

“Tencent Games wowed at GDC 2024 with AI innovations, cutting-edge game development solutions, and a commitment to security and quality assurance.”

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"Image: Tencent Games logo featured alongside GDC 2024 banner, showcasing AI innovations, game development solutions, and commitment to security and quality assurance."
Tencent Games booth at GDC 2024 EXPO


Tencent Games, the renowned game development, publishing, and operation platform, recently made waves at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024 in San Francisco. Showcasing cutting-edge technologies, services, and solutions, Tencent Games left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. In this blog post, we will explore the highlights from the event, delving into AI and machine learning advancements, innovative game development solutions, and the company’s commitment to security and quality assurance. Let’s dive in!

  1. AI and Machine Learning Revolution:
    Tencent Games emphasized the importance of harnessing the power of AI and machine learning for immersive gaming experiences. Elvis Liu, AI Team Lead at MoreFun Studios, shared insights into their adoption of large-scale reinforcement learning in fighting games. The application of this technology in Naruto Mobile, the first fighting game leveraging reinforcement learning, demonstrated substantial time and resource savings in the training process. The future of machine learning in gaming was also discussed by industry experts in an engaging panel discussion.
  2. MotorNerve: Defining Character Animation:
    Experts from TiMi Studio Group introduced MotorNerve, a self-developed character animation system. This technology revolutionizes locomotion control and transition animation generation by combining Motion Matching, Learned Motion Matching, and Motion In Betweening. The result is high-quality, low-consumption animation that enhances the gaming experience.
  3. GiiNEX Game AI Engine:
    Tencent AI Lab unveiled its self-developed GiiNEX Game AI Engine, offering developers cutting-edge AI tools. By incorporating generative AI technology, this engine empowers developers to create realistic and diverse 3D city scenes. Furthermore, GiiNEX supports various game elements like 2D images, animations, narratives, and dialogue generation. Decision-making AI is also integrated, expediting game innovations and testing.
  4. Advanced Solutions for Game Development:
    The Delta Force: Hawk Ops development team shared their solutions for cross-platform development, including streamlined art pipelines and tools for high-precision graphics while ensuring optimal mobile performance. They also highlighted the implementation of a unified production pipeline and cross-platform runtime support to enhance scalability and production efficiency.
  5. Mobile Innovations: Ray Tracing and Real-time Rendering:
    MoreFun Studios unveiled the successful integration of ray tracing technology in their mobile game, Arena Breakout. By addressing the challenge between graphic quality and frame rate, their self-developed frame-prediction technology boosts the frame rate and reduces battery consumption without compromising visual fidelity. Additionally, the R&D Efficiency and Capability engine team showcased advancements in real-time rendering, including SmartGI for global illumination and NanoMesh for adaptive and seamless LOD technology.
  6. Game Security and Quality Assurance:
    Tencent Games exhibited their commitment to game security, quality assurance, and studio efficiency. The Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) suite provides comprehensive security solutions, while WeTest Global guarantees the highest quality standards through diverse QA solutions. Cloud-Enabled Studio solutions were also showcased, enabling seamless work and ensuring asset security.
  7. Engaging with the Community and Talent:
    Tencent Games actively engaged with the gaming community at GDC, featuring a dedicated “Career Space” to connect with potential candidates for various roles. The company’s focus on listening, testing content, and tailoring experiences to local communities was emphasized. Additionally, the announcement of the GWB Game Awards 2024 added excitement, with opportunities for developers to showcase their talents and compete for prize pools.


Tencent Games’ presence and contributions at GDC 2024 showcased their commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming through innovative technologies, solutions, and engagement with the gaming community. By embracing AI and machine learning, introducing advanced game development solutions, and prioritizing security and quality assurance, Tencent Games continues to shape the future of the gaming industry. For those who missed this remarkable event, stay updated through Tencent’s social media accounts and the GDC Vault for more exciting insights.

  • "Image: Tencent Games logo featured alongside GDC 2024 banner, showcasing AI innovations, game development solutions, and commitment to security and quality assurance."

About Tencent Games

Tencent Games, established in 2003, has evolved into the foremost worldwide hub for game development, publishing, and operation, in addition to being the largest online game community operator in China. Its primary focus is to provide captivating and top-notch interactive entertainment for players of all kinds.

Tencent Games currently has a collection of over 140 games that they have developed themselves or acquired the rights to. These games are available in more than 200 countries and regions, offering interactive entertainment to millions of users on various platforms. Some of the globally renowned titles include Honour of Kings, PUBG MOBILE, and League of Legends.

https://gameinstitute.tencent.com/awards2024

SOURCE Tencent Games

https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

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actors & performers

Reflecting on the 2024 Oscars: A Night of Wins, Laughter, and Fashion Statements

The 2024 Oscars: A night of wins, laughter, and elegant fashion. No mentions of past controversies, just a focus on cinematic excellence.

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The 2024 Oscars night was a whirlwind of excitement, surprises, and elegance as the film industry’s finest gathered to celebrate cinematic achievements. Among the standout moments was the triumph of “Oppenheimer,” a biopic that not only captivated audiences but also dominated the awards, clinching seven accolades, including Best Picture. Christopher Nolan’s directorial prowess shone through as he claimed the Best Director title, while Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. were honored for their outstanding performances as Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

While “Oppenheimer” led the pack, “Poor Things” also made a mark with four wins, with Emma Stone’s portrayal earning her the coveted Best Actress award. The night was further enriched by captivating performances, including Ryan Gosling’s comedic surprises during his rendition of “I’m Just Ken” and the mesmerizing display of a dozen drummers in the performance of “Wahzhazhe.” The ceremony also featured memorable presenter antics, such as John Cena’s daring walk across the stage clad in nothing but an envelope.

The red carpet was ablaze with a stunning array of black, red, and metallic ensembles, showcasing the stars’ fashion prowess as they graced Hollywood’s grand event. Despite a few mishaps, like Emma Stone’s dress incident and Al Pacino’s potential oversight, the glamour and allure of the evening remained undiminished.

What truly stood out about this year’s Oscars was the absence of any reference to past controversies, notably the infamous Will Smith and Chris Rock incident from two years prior. Unlike previous telecasts, where the incident was repeatedly revisited, this year’s ceremony seemed to signal a collective move towards letting bygones be bygones. Host Jimmy Kimmel’s subtle nod to a bygone era of Oscars antics hinted at a shift in focus from past controversies to celebrating the artistry and talent that define the film industry.

As the curtain fell on the 2024 Oscars, it was evident that the night was not just about accolades and glamour but also about embracing new beginnings and a renewed focus on the magic of storytelling that unites us all. The 2024 Oscars will be remembered as a night of triumphs, laughter, and a subtle nod to moving forward—a celebration of cinema at its finest.

Source: AP

https://apnews.com/live/2024-Oscars-updates-winners

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Andre Du’s New Year Journey: Unique Spring Festival Celebrations Across Seven Ethnicities

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KUNMING, China /PRNewswire/ — Yunnan Innyo Co., Ltd., in collaboration with @visityunnan, invites you on a captivating exploration journey with Andre Du. Throughout the Chinese New Year of 2024, Andre Du will travel over 3,500 kilometers across various locations in Yunnan, experiencing the Chinese New Year customs of seven different ethnicities. His journey will be meticulously documented, and a series of short videos titled “Chinese New Year, Yunnan Flavor” will be shared on the official TikTok and Facebook accounts of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Andre Du’s New Year Jounery in Yunnan

Hailing from South Africa, Andre Du is an internationally certified accountant who had previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the African financial group First Rand Group. He relocated to China for work in 2016 and selected Yunnan as his place of residence. In 2022, Mr. Du officially embarked on his journey as a content creator. Through the creation of short videos capturing his travels, he endeavors to share the picturesque landscapes, delightful discoveries, and rich ethnic cultures of Yunnan with a wider audience.

During the Chinese New Year of 2024, Andre Du will embark on a journey starting from Kunming, traveling westward, and visiting locations like Chuxiong, Dali, Lijiang, and Deqin. He will visit seven ethnic groups, including the Yi, Bai, Zang, Naxi, Lisu, Pumi, and Mosuo, capturing himself in their unique Chinese New Year cultural customs. These experiences will encapsulate a Chinese New Year infused with Yunnan’s unique flavor and diverse ethnic traditions.

The immersive exposure to the homes of various ethnic groups will provide Mr. Du with a nuanced understanding of the Chinese New Year, emphasizing its significance as a universal moment of reunion. Irrespective of geographical challenges, the shared commitment to returning home for a familial reunion will underscore the profound respect each family will accord to this grand festival in the future.

Embark on an enchanting journey through Yunnan with Andre Du’s captivating video series, “Chinese New Year, Yunnan Flavor.” Follow us on the official TikTok @visityunnan and Facebook @GoYunnan.Official accounts of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. May this immersive experience of Yunnan’s cultural richness and natural wonders inspire your travel plans. Seize the opportunity to explore this distinctive destination.

SOURCE Yunnan Innyo Co., Ltd.

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