NM – Evans Ng’ang’a on University Way
Building a road on the rumble of a freshly built and destroyed police building, a Chinese company demonstrates both the power of its entrepreneurship and the utter planlessness of Nairobi. Just like the city that hosts his art, Evans’ career as a contemporary dancer is mostly unplanned. For over five years, he has been “working everywhere, for no one and for everyone”, on most of the scenes in town (Sarakasi, GoDown, KNT, Goethe or Alliance), and with many different dancers and choreographers, both Kenyan and foreign (Kebaya Moturi, Neema Bagamuhunda, Miriam Rother, Stephanie Thiersch, etc.). Nairobi offers so many of these opportunities that Evans doesn’t feel the need to struggle for those international platforms that most Kenyan artists dream about.
“You don’t sell dances on DVD, they have to be performed on a stage. Even though Kenyans are very poor at appreciating art, Nairobi has enough market.”
Despite this genuine confidence in the development of the culture sector, the state of the art in Kenya is still one of a chrysalis. The path to recognition was first drawn by pioneers like Opiyo Okatch in the 1990’s. But, still today, very few people are willing to understand the body language and vocabulary of contemporary dance. According to Evans, serious dancers and choreographers in Kenya are a mere 30 individuals. It is a common stereotype for the African continent that music and dance have since the dawn of time been associated with every event in society. The dance produced by this young and urban generation has little if any tradition to stick to and is becoming more and more independent project wise. Follow artists like Evans to see where that road leads to.
Bonus picture: Evans rests after teaching yoga at the Sarakasi Dome for the African Yoga Project.
Olivier Marcel for the Nairobi Mint project.
Add comment July 29, 2010
Nairobi Mint
Nairobi Mint is a chronicle about those who make it now in town. Every article of this series is a cross-portrayal between a cultural agent and an urban feature. Artists, curators, critics, institutional representatives, cultural infrastructures, places and landscapes will be handpicked for what they reveal about the city. In the past decade, Nairobi has been growing into a cultural metropolis, developing new spaces for art, attracting and inspiring creators. Nairobi Mint is an attempt to inform and analyse this metropolis in new territories, getting behind the scene, in the gardens of events, and finding the freshest flavors growing there.
About the author: Olivier Marcel is a junior research fellow at the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nairobi). Based in Nairobi since 2009, he is working on cultural developments in Nairobi. More on his blog: Nairobi, Cultural Metropolis.
Articles published:
Evans Ng’ang’a on University Way
Grand Masese on Tom Mboya Street
2 comments July 29, 2010
Rhythm & Spoken feat. Singer Viola Karuri & Poet Njeri Wangari, Jul 30 2010 @ Dass
(via Kenyanpoet)
Add comment July 27, 2010
Concert: Blankets & Wine, Aug 1 2010 @ Hillcrest Secondary
Blankets & Wine is back with a great line-up:
Mutinda: http://www.myspace.com/mutindamusic
Iddi Achieng: http://www.myspace.com/iddiachieng
Abbi Nyinza: http://www.myspace.com/abbimudunia
Super Mazembe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPw3ac6fdk
Also improved, a much bigger and more interesting play area this time for children between 3-12 years old
As always, pack your picnics/wine/shukas.
TICKETING INFO:
Advance tickets at all DORMANS outlets from Friday 25th June: Ksh 800
Door charges: Adults: Ksh 1,000. Children over 5years: Ksh 400
Add comment July 27, 2010
Community Festival: Dunda Mtaani, until August 14th @ Huruma/Korogocho/Buruburu
The GoDown presents DUNDA MTAANI, an annual community festival. After opening the festival on Saturday the 24th of July at Undugu grounds, Kibera, the festival continues in Huruma on July 31st, Korogocho on August 7th and Buruburu on the 14th.
2010 will be the 4th year The GoDown is hosting this popular festival.
The festival seeks to showcase artistic talent from the community through dance, music and acrobatics, among other forms of artistic expression.
The community acts are showcased on the same stage as other professional acts; this event is open to the public at no cost.
Add comment July 27, 2010
WAPI, Jul 31 2010 @ Sarakasi Dome
Sarakasi Trust Presents WAPI July 31st 2010. Performances by Wakamba Wawili, Jemedari, BlackSkillz, Octoppizzo & DJ Ken. MC: Zakaa. LIVE @ Sarakasi Dome, Ngara Road, Ngara, Nairobi. 10am-4pm. Free Entry
1 comment July 27, 2010
Play: Heartstrings Kenya’s Ten Kenyan Commandments, until Aug 1 2010 @ Alliance
Update: The play just got extended: new shows added: Dates: July 27, 28, 30, 31, Aug 1, 2010
Times: 6.30pm weekdays, 3.00pm & 6.30pm weekend
Comedy: TEN KENYAN COMMANDMENTS
Concept by: Dan Ndambuki aka Churchill
Directed by: Sammy Mwangi and Victor Ber
Dates: 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, July 2010
Times: 6.30pm weekdays, 3 & 6.30 weekend
Venue: Alliance Française
Tickets line: 0721 608 656
Charges: 500/=
Synopsis
The greatest contribution to the fight for the Proposed New Constitution is finally here.
Heartstrings Kenya comes back again with the blockbuster hit that will revolutionize the way Kenyans treat the Ten Commandments. Heartstrings Kenya will explore what would have happened if Kenyans were the ones who would have been in the desert being given the Ten Commandments by God.
This unforgivably funny and brutally hilarious original comedy will treat Kenyans to a society that has given rise people who think that one MUST be wrong to do anything right.
This rib-shattering comedy will be told through a story of a man, Anthony Mitambo, who went to get a death certificate for his late wife. This was for the reason of inheriting the massive wealth that his wife had. But someone in the Ministry of Registration wrongly inserted a third name in the death certificate. Mitambo’s journey in his search for the person who inserted the contentious name takes him through the whole country’s bureaucratic systems. Hilariously he will go through the weirdest culture shock ever seen.
Knowing Kenyans, they will always find a way of adapting everything to suit their needs and wants. Legally or illegally. In the desert they would most certainly have found a way of shortcutting the Ten Commandments to sound like Ten Suggestions, Conditions, Rules, Obligations, Commitments, Terms, Agreements, Requirements, Purposes, Considerations, Implications etc etc.
This has caused us to view life in a very awkward way. Kenyans have ended up being so corrupt in their quest for shortcuts and favours. We believe that nothing can be gotten straightforwardly and rightly.
5 comments July 27, 2010
Concert: The Limericks Band, July 28 2010 @ Art Cafe
Live Jazz, Blues, Vintage – Soul, Afro-Fusion, Pop & RnB from 7.30 pm
Add comment July 27, 2010
Latitude: 9 Contemporary Short Films from Africa, Jul 27 & 30 2010 @ Goethe-Institute
Pumzi by Wanuri Kahiu just won the short film award at the Cannes Film Festival. This success is an occasion for a showcase of the Goethe-Institut’s project that Pumzi came from. It is a Pan African Short Film Competition which began in 2007 and was carried out by the Goethe-Institut in Subsaharan Africa. After a call for scripts in 2008, script workshops and script editing sessions, the films were taken into production in numerous countries throughout the continent. After a year in production, the Goethe-Institut is proud to present these films—surprising, harrowing, funny, poignant, unusual and disturbing—to the world. They cover all genres—from Science Fiction to Comedy to Melodrama to Thriller to Drama to Satire. All these films share in breaking the clichés, finding own voices and challenging conventions. Seldom is there a series of films from Africa authored by young filmmakers
from all corners of the continent illustrating the diversity, complexity and ambiguity of Africa. The series Latitude represents a unique perspective, a barometer of what engages young African filmmakers across the continent.
July 27th, 6pm
Kenya Pumzi, by Wanuri Kahiu, 20:55 min
Set in an apocalyptic future, Kahiu’s engrossing, stylish and sophisticated sci-fi film is a fascinating window into a hi-tech African future where dream suppressants, urine purification and virtual natural history museums predominate. It’s 35 years after World War III and Asha, a curious scientist leads a life of sterile cleanliness in a domed city. Water is highly prized and soil, atmosphere and hope are all long dead. Despite this, she is visited by visions of a fertile past and believes there is life beyond the city. To find the truth she must evade the law and travel through a no man’s land. W. Kahiu will present her film.
Mozambique Mahla, by Dario Fonseca, 29:44 min
A beaten woman makes the decision to leave her abusive husband – but it’s not that simple …
Tunisia Prestige, by Walid Taaya, 24:35 min
Delightful comedy about an Arab family coming to terms with their daughter’s black boyfriend.
July 30th 29th, 6pm
Namibia Cries at Night, by Oshosheni Hiveluah, 13:05 min
The past comes calling for a Namibian war veteran when he stumbles upon his former torturer.
South Africa The Abyss Boys, by Jan-Hendrik Beetge, 26:00 min
Two brothers battle to extricate themselves from their lives as perlemoen poachers.
Nigeria Bloodstones, by Didi Cheeka, 19:44 min
Trapped as slave labourers in a Nigerian stone quarry, two children plot their escape.
Nigeria The Camera, by Julius Morno, 11:30 min
A camera is inadvertently passed from person to person, offering an intriguing snapshot of a Nigerian neighbourhood.
Togo Bidenam – The Hope of a Village, by Gentllle M. Assih, 23:36 min
Led by a young woman, a small Togoan village finally stands up to corrupt officials.
Uganda The Painter, by Winnie Gamisha, 24:06 min
When a young painter’s work is chosen for a European exhibition, he is besieged by his community’s greed and expectations.
Add comment July 27, 2010
Screening & Panel: The Vision of Wangari Maathai, Jul 26 2010 @ Alliance
This is an important movie, featuring excellent historic footage of Wangari Maathai’s life-long struggle. Not to be missed
Find out more about the movie on the official website
Add comment July 26, 2010
Album launch: Benganology, Jul 30 2010 @ National Museum
Dan ‘chizi’ Aceda’s sophomore album will be officially launched at The National Museum on the 30th of July 2010.
This album, dubbed Benganology, that was slated for release much earlier in the year, features work by some of Kenya’s best musicians including: Eric Wainaina,Wyre and the sultry Sanaipei Tande.
It is a one of a kind project that united the top range of Kenyan producers: Chris Adwar, Robert ‘RK’ Kamanzi, Aaron Rimbui and David ‘Blackman’ Muthami to create a cocktail sound that is fuses genres like zouk, Benga, jazz and reggae. This album also features such hits as Soufle, Blackberry, and Saida.
This show on the 30th will also feature Jazz maestro Jacob Asiyo, Atemi Oyungu and The Villager’s Band.
Add comment July 26, 2010
Drum for Cluster Bombs with Kenge Kenge Orutu System, Aug 1st 2010 @ National Theatre
The Kenya Network to Ban Cluster Munitions, under the tutelage of Handicap International hereby invites you to celebrate with them, the entry into force of Cluster Munitions Convention. This day will be celebrated worldwide. Here in Kenya, we will be beating the drum to mark this occasion.
Kindly bring your friends, families, neighbours to the Kenya National Theatre for this auspicious occasion. For more info on the event, email: hikenya@handicap-international.or.ke
Add comment July 23, 2010
Exhibit: Philippe Timmerman & Caroline Zagorski, Opening Jul 31 2010 @ Banana Hill
Add comment July 23, 2010
Spoken Word: Slam Africa, Jul 23 2010 @ Dass Restaurant
(via Kenyanpoet)
Enjoy another exciting Spoken Word – Slam Poetry competition
Entrance: Ksh.300
Add comment July 23, 2010
Exhibit: Moses Nyawanda, Jul 24-Sep 7 2010 @ Le Rustique
Art Nairobi and Le Rustique are happy to show Moses Nyawanda ‘s first solo exhibition in Nairobi for more than 7 years. Born in Bondo, Nyanza district, Moses stopped painting for more than 7 years and begun again in 2009. Most of his paintings are done on canvas and his subjects are the people of Kenya : “I paint those I interact with and currently I am interested in painting political subject since they portray the Kenyan fast growing culture greed”. Most of his male characters depict the vile political subjects ( he gives them animal faces to avoid a too obvious confrontational approach to his subject ) while his women and children depict the warm social subjects, both being contemporary.
2 comments July 23, 2010
Concert: Live Jazz with the Limericks Band, Jul. 24 2010 @ River Cafe
Live Jazz with the Lymericks Band, on the 24th of July 2010 from 12:30pm to 5:00pm at River cafe.
Add comment July 23, 2010
Concert: Hip hop Knock Out, July 23 2010 @ Carnivor
This is a night heavily driven by Hip-Hop music, with the main feature being a lyrical battle of wits and power between 2 feuding Urban Kenyan Hip-Hop
artistes ABBAS and CHIWAWA. These 2 have been known to command audiences with their lyrics and stabs at each other, and this time around they get on
stage to battle infront of a Live audience. This will be reminiscent of the highly acclaimed movie ’8 Mile’ and similar to the local show ‘Kanji vs Eric’ that hosted at Carnivore back in November 2008.
Entry is Kshs 300 per person from 6 pm.
Add comment July 22, 2010
Movie: The Longest Tunnel, Jul 28 2010 @ Japan Information & Culture Center
Japan Information and Culture Centre
Presents
The Longest Tunnel
Venue: Japan Information and Culture Centre, Mara Road, Upper Hill
Date: Wednesday, July 28 2010
Time: 5:00 pm
Directed by: MORITANI Shiro
In September 1954, a ferry sank during a storm in the narrow Tsuagaru channel between Hokkaido, and mainland, killing 1426 passengers. The accident brought about a demand for the building of a tunnel beneath the channel. Akutsu Go is sent to cape Tappi at the tip of the Tsugaru peninsula to conduct a preliminary survey for the tunnel construction. One winter day, he finds a woman standing on a precipice, obviously about to commit suicide. Her carelessness had caused a fire in a hotel which killed eleven people, and she could no longer live with memory of this incident. Akutsu takes the woman, named Tae, to a cheap restaurant where she happens to deliver the baby of the restaurant
proprietress, Oren. This eases Tae’s agony…
Add comment July 22, 2010
Movies: Homage to Jacob Barua, Jul. 24 2010 @ Goethe-Institut
Jacob Barua is one of Kenya’s finest filmmakers. A graduate of the University of Warwick, UK, he went on to study film directing at the famous National Film School in Lodz, Poland. His award winning films have been screened at numerous film festivals around the world and yet his work is little known in Kenya. Jacob’s collaboration on many of his films with his brother Stan, a renowned Director of Photography, has earned them the Barua Brothers tag. Their works are defined by sophisticated aesthetics and the exploration of memory and history through narrative forms. Besides his film directing Jacob has been engaged in arts management, ranging from artistic director of a Warsaw-based TV station, to a posting as the festival director of the Zanzibar International Film Festival, for 2005/6, two of its now legendary editions, having trained in Festival and Event Management at the Deutsche Welle Akademie in Berlin, Germany.
Jul. 24 2010, 5 pm @ Goethe-Institut
Full programme of the event available on the Goethe-Institut’s website
Add comment July 21, 2010
