BLANKETS & WINE (XLV) JULY

Forget about the cold mood-swings of July. Nairobians braced the cold for yet another stellar South African act at the Carnivore Grounds.

Durban born musical extraordinaire; Zakes Bantwini brought the house down as he took to the stage; with self- crafted style of “sophisticated dance music”.

This comes barely weeks after yet another South African songstress Zahara; blew everyone away with her amazing performance at the June edition (http://tpf5.blogspot.com/2013/07/backstage-pass-zahara-kenya-is.html)

Following in the same footsteps of great performances; included opening acts by Berklee student/ musician John Sibi Okumu; the Swahili Jazz maestro Juma Tutu and his band.

Juma Tutu backed by his band showcased native Mijikenda traditional music blended in Asian; Arabic and western sounds.

Making her second return to the event; was Kagwe Mungai; who brought his afro- funky house flavor and sounds from his fresh EP ”It Only Gets Better” featuring collaborations with Fena Gitu and Julie Wang’ombe.

And in August/ September; grab your shuka; picnic basket and tag along your family and friends to Naivasha- the cradle of mankind. Yes; Blankets and Wine are partnering with the Rift valley festival to throw the biggest music festival in Kenya.

So; between august 3oth to September 1^st; be prepared to get your mind blown off with brilliant tunes- both local and international acts; as the event producing powerhouses team up once again to ensure a guaranteed diverse and exceptional line-up.

-To book your early accommodation for Naivasha’s B&W/RVF mash –up; stay updated via http://blanketsandwine.com/ or email:  info@blanketsand wine.com

Photos courtesy of-http://blanketsandwine.com/

BLANKETS & WINE TAKING OVER EAST AFRICA

Ever since her inception; the famous Blankets & Wine has steadily grown to become one of the 

most significant pillars in the East African music and arts circuit.

The event has played host to dozens of local and international acts with thousands of music lovers consistently turning up for the monthly outings and servings of live music and good times.

Now in its fifth year; the event has rolled out a regional plan seeking to broaden its footprint in East Africa by hosting equally thrilling experiences in Uganda and Tanzania-with Rwanda expected to be off the ground later this year.

The first Kampala event f0r 2013 (and the 3^rd in Uganda); was held on Easter Sunday (March 31^st 2013). Kenya’s Madtraxx brought his unique sound to Kampala to perform with the Sundowners Band in a mash-up of modern Kenya and traditional Ugandan flavours.

Also gracing the event were Tamba Music and the duo of Winston and pragmo from Uganda.

“Blankets” is fast establishing itself as a distinctly East African brand. In 2013; it has so far brought two South African acts to Nairobi; but there is still much better things to come.

In the 2^nd quarter; Blankets N Wine seeks to diversify its music offering; by showcasing African acts to a “thirsty” Nairobi audience. In this case; Blankets & Wine’s scheduling will center on original and native music from across Africa; which is not necessarily accessible through mainstream mediums.

The first of this series will feature Zimbabwean ethno-fusion collective; Jam Signal; who will be performing at the 43^rd edition of the event on aril 7^th. Also joining them on stage will be Uganda’s Lillian Mbabazi backed by the Sundowners Band; as well as our very own Villager’s Band and the adorable Diana Nduba.

Additional info from @UP Nairobi.

Photos by-https://www.facebook.com/quaintphotography

RIFT VALLEY FESTIVAL 2013 TEAMS UP WITH BLANKETS AND WINE FOR THE B&W/RVF MASH-UP…

What do you get when you have two event producing powerhouses teaming up? You get a mash-up! And yes; come august/September; all roads lead to Naivasha for a “musical experience in the cradle of mankind.”

Kenya’s biggest 3-day international music festival; The Rift Valley Festival is back for its 4^th stunning year! But that is not all! Relax, because this year they are bigger and better than ever as they welcome Team Blankets N Wine on board.

The guarantee is there that they will deliver one of the biggest live music events Kenya has ever seen. So get your diaries out and mark the dates; august30th-september1st. I don’t care if you have to set a reminder but Fisherman’s Camp on the shores of Kenya’s first international airport and landing strip; Lake Naivasha will once again come alive to not one; but 3 days of globally sourced bands, musicians and respected world class DJ’S; pumping all weekend over 3 stages.

What should you expect? The festival site will be a wonderland of magic arena’s such as “Art In The Heart”, “Craft Village”, ‘Home Of A Hundred Drums”; “Kiddy Heaven”; “Boutique Camping” and the “UP(magazine) stage”- all under the stars of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley- The Cradle of Mankind.

On Sunday; B&W will be hosting their premier monthly live event. I can’t lie; I can’t reveal any names yet. I have not peeked the behind the curtain; yet I can guarantee you it is going to be a mouthwatering weekend.

Some previous acts that have graced the festival include- Sauti Sol; Just a Band; Basement Jaxx; DJ Yoda; Suzanna Owiyo; Mzungu Kichaa; Rumba Japan; Makadem; Maia Van Lekow; Joe Driscoll; Sekou Keyote; 6AM; and the list goes on and on.

Watch out for the 2013 full line up coming soon. Keep posted to the blog and Facebook page.

RVF ARE RELEASING LIMLTED EARLYBIRD TICKETS FOR ONLY KES 3,000 FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND! @WWW.TICKETSASA.COM. THESE ARE AVAILABLE NOW BUT ONLY UNTIL JULY14TH 2013. DAY TICKETS AT 2,000 AND WEEKEND TICKETS AT 4,000 WILL BE RELEASED AFTER THIS DATE AND EXPECT TO PAY MORE AT THE GATE IF AVAILABLE.

NAI NI WHO: a festival of Nairobi neighborhoods; celebrating and exploring the Nairobian identity.

MAY 11^TH- AUGUST 3^RD 2013.

http://www.nainiwho.co.ke/

@NaiNiWho

# NaiNiWho

http://www.youtube.com/user/NaiNiWho

Nairobi; brace yourself for a festival like no other! In May; on a clear Sunday afternoon; youth groups; fans and friends of the “Nai Ni Who” festival; took to Enterprise Road in south B’s industrial are to kick start the 3 month long series of neighborhood gigs.

With the Salvation Army band in tow; song; dance and merriment marked the boisterous parade that proudly wound its way around the estate’s shopping and residential areas. This is the first of 12 such celebrations across the city.

“(The festival) was something we had not foreseen,” confesses The Go down Arts Centre Director; Joy Mboya. Last year; in preparation of the Centre’s 10^th anniversary; a series of conversations informally tagged ‘WHO IS NAIROB?’ were initiated across different spheres of society.

“We began to examine the relationship that existed within the city; its ambivalence; history and evolution,” explains Joy.

“For us; the question of identity is primary;” Joy reiterates. That means that each neighborhood was required to reflect inwardly and ask them what their area was about: the good, the bad and the ugly. This makes the festival title apt as it makes a play on English; Swahili and sheng; as it begs the question, “Nai Ni Who (WHO IS NAIROBI)”.

South B resident, Zuhura Aden recalls hearing the loud parade as it made its way past her home.

“the band music drew me to the window and I saw lots of people marching on the streets; including the XYZ puppets of president Uhuru and deputy Ruto!” she says.

For her; a festival of this nature is necessary.

“We don’t often stop to look around at our environment and appreciate what we have. If people became more conscious of their surroundings; then we could all make Nairobi better in the long run. There would be no more dumping and littering.”

The festival has invited people to share their definition of the city. Some have called it “the heartbeat of the country,” “city of learning”, “maisha ya shida (difficult life)”; “a place for everyone;” while others simply just know it as “home”.

-this piece first appeared on UP Magazine. It was a piece by Wanjeri Gakuru.

-stay updated on where the action is happening via facebook: Nai Ni Who; Twitter: @NaiNiWho or visiting-http://www.nainiwho.co.ke/

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