Kenyanpoet

• Makmende Vies For President - The Play. Sarakasi Dome 12th - 14th Nov 2010

  Posted: October 29, 2010, 3:06 pm by N.W

   The much awaited political play MAKMENDE VIES FOR PRESIDENT - THE PLAY finally docks.
  
  Hosanna, a local art group, has partnered with Sarakasi Trust, Ghetto Radio and PhatBuzz to stage the a political thriller play that picks on the popular character Makmende. It goes on theater, Sarakasi Dome, on the 12th through to the 14th of November.
  
  Just declared the poorest country in the world, Kenya is on the verge of collapse. Poverty has ravaged the land. Corruption defines the nation. Poor rains have left the country cracked and desert-hot. The schools are closed and the food factories ail under heavy tax. Inflation on food prices threatens the existence of Kenya.
  
  Then Makmende, first invented on Facebook by Kenyan youth, is flouted as the only young man that can give a shift in thinking. He is the right thinking candidate that has what it takes to restore Kenya’s once blossoming glory. When the penniless Makmende announces his bid to become President of the United Tribes of Kenya, the Kenyan youth go wild, and within 30 minutes, his status update reads 400,000 comments. But when his star and rating begins to rise, Mheshimiwa,the wealthy, ruthless, and connected political aspirant goes for his throat. The dirty play begins; Makmende’s name is erased from the immigration records, he is framed of fraud and rape.
  
  But with impregnable Obama-like support, coupled with Makmende’s ghostly and superman character, the chase by the old-guard meets a potent and daring opposition…. With eyes focused on Statehouse, and riding on the only youthful party, THE REMNANTS PARTY OF KENYA, Makmende walks on a tight rope, passes through baited hooks…walks on hot coals, triples on rocks…kicks pointed daggers. He survives two assassination attempts. He promises to restore hope to the homeless Kenyans. Within 2 months Makmende supporters have pooled 2billion Kenya shillings through Mpesa to fund his presidential bid. It's the biggest political showdown in Kenya's history.
  
  Will the youth give Makmende the victory? Or will Mheshimiwa’s power machine take him off the race into the cold? The play is directed by Fred Owino who plays Chris in the popular TV program TABASAMU, and features able Characters Ephie Murithi playing Makmende, Olympia Owira playing Jasmine,and Alex Munyiri playing Mheshimiwa.
  
  "When I saw this script the first time, I said, 'will we have the Kenya portrayed in this play'. So I decided to direct it and to show Kenyans what we want Kenya to be under an able leader" - Fred Owino; Play Director.
  
  Hosanna Paratroopers is CBO (Community Based organization), which offers a platform for all men and women to transform our socio political, economic, and political environment.
  
  Mission:Organizing, mobilizing men and women of God, and putting up a platform for young artists in order to evangelize, teach and correct human kind. Vision:To be an international organization that organizes, and mobilizes men and women of God unto a platform to evangelize, teach and correct humankind.
  
  Tickets can Bought From
  Recordez Music Shop Yaya Center 2nd Floor and Westgate 1st Floor
  Sarakasi Dome - Ngara
  Wakestar Bookshop Rehani Hse Banda Street, Canon House Healaselassie Avenue, Langata shooping Centere: For more info; 0721168693727976735

  
  

• British Council Master Class on Intellectual Property for Kenyan Artists 4th & 5th Nov, 2010

  Posted: October 29, 2010, 2:48 pm by N.W

  The British Council in conjunction with Strathmore University are inviting all the creatives as well as aspiring creatives in; Art, antique markets, crafts, design/fashion, film, video, Photography, music & the visual performing arts/theatre for a Master Class on Intellectual Property on 4th and 5th Nov, 2010.
  
  On 4th November from 5.30 - 7.30pm, the class will be at the Strathmore University Auditorium located in Madaraka. Entry is free
  
  On 5th Nov, the class will be at the British Council offices in Upperhill Nairobi near Rahimtullah towers from 2-4pm. Entry is free as well.
  
  The talk on I.P will be conducted by Keith Arrowsmith, an expert and head of Intellectual Property and Media from Ralli Solicitors in the UK.
  
  Not sure why a deadline of 2nd Nov has been put. I would however suggest that if you are interested in attending, send an email to pauline.gangla(at)britishcouncil.or.ke or jmatogo(at)strathmore.edu. to avoid disappointment.
  
  I would advice all the poets as well as those aspiring and all artists to attend this event as there is alot that we as poets/artists do not know about the things we create and what rights we have over them.
  
  A fellow poet and I, Stephen Partington who writes in The East African are currently dealing with a case involving copyright infringement of our poems,  this could also happen to you.
  
  It is quite evident that very few artists know how to go about copyright infringement or violation of their rights over their art form be it in creative or performing arts and this needs to change.  I need not remind you about the fate of the Kiondo, Kikoi and many other artifacts and art forms from Kenya.
  
  Come and empower yourself.

  
  

• Kenyatta University's Culture Week 2010; Cultural Diversity for Unity 24th - 31st Oct

  Posted: October 27, 2010, 10:25 pm by N.W

  The Annual Kenyatta University Cultural week is back and has been running from Sunday 24th with a Grand Finale on Sunday 31st Oct at the KICC.
  
  The annual fete brings together the university community in a week full of cultural diversity. This year marks the University's Silver Jubilee with the theme ' Showcasing Cultural Diversity for Unity'
  

  Students performing a Kikuyu folk song at last year's event

  
  This year's festival will see the special appearance of guest artists from USA, Turkey, Nigeria, Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania and Israel for performances at the K.U main campus Bishop square located along Thika Road.
  Entrance to the daily events at the campus is free.
  
  The Grand Finale at the KICC's Tsavo Ballrom will however cost Ksh.500 for VIP, Ksh.200 for Adults, Ksh. 100 for students and Ksh. 50 for children. The event will start from 1pm.
  
  Some of the arts being showcased are: Music, drama, dance, Poetry, sports, martial arts, fine arts exhibition, comedy among others  as well as  the crowning of Mr & Ms. KU.
  
  I did attend last year's event at the KICC which was quite entertaining, I will definitely not miss this year's.

  
  

• Salif Keita speaks out on Albinism at a concert in Kenya at the Carnivore with Omar as his Curtain raiser

  Posted: October 18, 2010, 4:38 pm by N.W

  He came and with him, brought the message 'Despite his condition as an Albino, he had beaten all odds to become the Golden Voice of Africa receiving international acclaim'
  
  That is why, we had all flocked the Carnivore restaurant on the 14th October evening from 8pm to experience his music live from this world renown African artist - Salif Keita.
  
  As he informed us later during a media conference just after his superb performance, his visit of the East African countries had been prompted by the recent events involving killing of people with Albinism mainly in Tanzania, a trend that was slowly spreading to the other East African countries.
  
  This was also the driving force behind his latest album 'La Difference'. It was the first time that Salif Keita was coming out and speaking openly about his condition and the things that affect him and others with a similar condition.
  
  The evening was full of surprises. It was revealed by one of the event sponsors, Capital FM that Omar - a UK based Nu-Soul artist who has been in the country, would also be performing at the Salif Keita concert. This was great news to many like me who had missed his earlier performance. He was the first act of the night at about 9pm.
  
  His is the kind of music that takes a life of its own when performed live! It has elements of Jazz, RnB, and soul in them and the band seemed to make every song richer. His song 'There's nothing like this' seemed to sum up my experience of his performance, "There was simply nothing like it".
  
  Sauti Sol and Iddi Achieng who had facilitated Salif's travel and concert also performed.
  
  12pm was the time the show was to end, it turned out to be the actual start time as that is when Salif Keita finally came on Stage.
  
  By then, the place was so full that the Simba Salon dance floor had  fans seated all over it. As if on que, immediately Salif stepped on stage, everyone got up on their feet ready to dance. This was despite a hitch with the sound equipment that saw the band take over 30 minutes to hook up their equipment to. The sound quality did affect the quality of the show in the course of the night, a pure embarrassment I must say.
  
  The biggest faux paus was forgetting to avail a microphone for ..... not the backup singers, not the instrumentalists......wait for it.......  for Salif Keita......I thought I was dreaming. As if that was not enough, the backupsingers' microphones were still muted and thus no one could hear them.
  
  Maqbul, the event MC finally did give Salif his cordless microphone and the sound controller also realized he needed to adjust the volume for the backup singers.
  
  This did not dampen Salif's spirit as he went on to perform songs from his latest album as well as his older ones.
  Songs like 'La Difference', Mandjou, Moussoulou, Africa and many others seemed to turn the place from carnivore to Timbuktu.
  
  He later gave a media conference on the reasons for his visit which is actually a tour in  a bid to educate people on the rights of people with the condition of Albinism through his Foundation, The Salif Keita Global Foundation.
  
  He was set to perform in Uganda the following day and later on in Sudan. He had just come into Nairobi from a show in Tanzania, a country that  has been hitting headlines for the killing and mutilation of Albino's for witchcraft purposes.
  
  Those who had thought they'd buy Salif's CDs or Omar's were hugely disappointed as the organizers had not thought about stocking even 1 album with only cds by Sauti Sol and Iddi available for sale. Talk about poor event organizing!
  
  For those who missed it, below are some photos as well as a short clip of the event.
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

• Salif Keita live in Kenya, 14th Oct, 2010

  Posted: October 8, 2010, 10:51 pm by N.W

  He is often referred to as the Golden Voice of Africa and on 14th of October at the Carnivore, we will attest to that.
  

  A moment captured with Salif Keita

  Yes, Salif Keita will be in town for a one night show in Nairobi. He has performed in Kenya only once before courtesy of Alliance Francaise. This time round, he will perform thanks to Sauti Sol and Iddi Achieng from 8pm till midnight.
  
  As I mentioned while reviewing his latest album 'La Difference'(see review on right column), I did get a chance to meet him in person early this year though by pure co-incidence. Now it seems, I will have the chance to experience his music Live.
  
  I must however say that the cost is slightly prohibitive and might just draw a certain type of crowd and elicit  the same comment that a friend made last night after watching a clip of the Baaba Mal concert that was early last week at the Louise Leakey auditorium, "Kwani its only Wazungu who go for these events" I had no comment on that. Tickets will go for Ksh. 2,500 and Ksh. 3,000 at the door(not sure if they are inclusive of dinner)
  
  In other concert related news, I am reliably informed that the Sierra Jazz Safari that was slotted for 10th Oct featuring Jonathan Butler has been post phoned to Sunday 7th Nov,2010.
  
  

  
  

• The Maurice Kirya Experience 'Misubbaawa'

  Posted: October 7, 2010, 9:50 pm by N.W

  After his name was announced as this year's RFI Music Award winner, Maurice Kirya has proved that he has indeed come of age.
  
  Yet, despite beating another little known Kenyan artist, Winyo, Kirya is also not very well know locally. This could be due to the fact that his music is not commercial pop. His is the sound you would find similar to Stan's or Harry Kimani's played in specific radio stations or during their live performances.
  
  Kirya beat over 500 musicians from all over Africa who had entered  the competition early last month.
  
  At first I thought that maybe he was being over-rated as I have heard Winyo from the time he used to be a part time accountant trying his hand at music during Kwani Open Mic night back in 2007 till last month when he awed the crowd that had largely gone for Spotlight on Kenyan Music at Alliance as is norm plus its usually free.
  
  Kirya who is Ugandan born and raised is mainly known for his song 'Binadamu' which he sang with AY of Tanzania.
  
  Kirya also runs a monthly show titled ‘’The Maurice Kirya Experience’’ which showcases live acts from East Africa and numerous other parts of the world. The show has been credited for boosting the live music scene in Uganda, since it exposes established and non established live musicians and poets on a professional stage. The show has also been graced by the famous Cecile Verny Quartet.
  
  “I want my music to move hearts, encourage hearts, strengthen hearts and heal them.”
  
  
  He recently released his debut album, 'Misubbaawa' which is a blend of soul and R&B that is influenced by the beauty and unique spirit of his homeland.
  
  Sample some of the songs from his album
  
  
  
  
  
  Watch a video of the two in a colabo
  

  
  

• Weekend Inspiration Videos: Aloe Blacc - Femme Fatale & A Dollar

  Posted: October 1, 2010, 9:00 pm by N.W

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes