Monday, August 5, 2013

NAI NI WHO GRAND FINALE BRINGS NAIROBI CITY TO A STANDSTILL…


“NAI NI WHO? NAI NI SISI… (NAIROBI IS WHO? NAIROBI IS US!)”

This past weekend marked the grand finale of the Nai Ni Who Festival- a festival that began on may and that sought to celebrate our neighborhoods and explore the Nairobian identity.


Meeting point for the start of the C.B.D parade was at Uhuru Park and youth groups; fans and friends of Nai Ni Who Festival; braced the cold for the carnival.

With two great bands leading; the Kenya Police Band and the Salvation Army Band; song, dance and merriment marked the boisterous parade that proudly wound its way around the city avenues and roads.



From Uhuru Park to Haile Selassie Avenue; through to Uhuru Highway; the parade made its way and not even the angry A.F.C Leopards heading to Nakuru for a match could stop us-this was our day!

With color; pomp and swag; we boldly walked to Moi Avenue and to Koinange Street. It was our day and we made a bold statement about it. The traffic police ensured our safety. They at times stopped traffic to just allow us through.

From Koinange we met with Moi Avenue through the Nakumatt Lifestyle stretch; and into Kenyatta Avenue before making our way to Uhuru Park.

Nairobi literally came to a standstill with people breaking off from their normal and busy routine to catch a glimpse of the loud parade. Those at high buildings peeped through their windows. Many took time to stand and take pictures and enjoy the XYZ puppets so president Uhuru; Deputy Ruto; former president Mwai Kibaki and Martha Karua.





The Mcee for the day was comedian Chippukizzey who entertained with his wits and funny jokes. The crowd was treated to great live music from Juliani; Juacali and Kidum. The event also saw other upcoming artists from different neighborhoods perform.

Later in the evening; organizers; volunteers, partners and the friends of  NAI NI WHO were treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Sarova Stanley; in appreciation and recognition of their support and valuable contribution.

The festival officially came to a close Saturday august 3rd and with many still talking about it; and what it has done; it was indeed a worthy and necessary festival. It made us stop; think and appreciate what we have as Nairobians and who we are!

So the word went out that not again will anyone define Nairobi for us; that was very clear- let NAIROBI DEFINE HERSELF!












-CATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS VIA FACEBOOK: NAI NI WHO; TWITTER:@NAINIWHO or by visiting www.nainiwho.com


Friday, August 2, 2013

BACKSTAGE PASS: NESS DE DIVA UNWRAPPED…



LISTENING TO HER VOCALS; SHE IS ONE OF THOSE PROMISING PERFORMERS TO WATCH OUT FOR…”
Her song; “si ndwele” was playing on the background in Calvo Mistari car as we drove to shoot the video to the song. And Calvo made the above statement about Ness De Diva.

Back then I was a production assistant to Calvo Mistari. I had never met Nessa before but I had heard her through the song she collaborated earlier with Calvo-“Down Low.”
behind the scenes shooting down low...



The song “si ndwele” brings out the mushy theme and side of Nessa. The singer gets into a love trance as she is done with the past and ready to move on.

For me; she goes a pitch and a notch higher on this track; to bring out her real self as an artist and not the Nessa we know from the tune down low with Calvo Mistari.




The tune fuses her song-writing skills and the beat and tempo is one you can easily groove to. It brings out her quest to stand out and exposes her as a potential and unique artist.

Watch out for this feline sexy diva because she is a force to be reckoned with in the future.





STYLE; LOVE; AFFAIR FASHION BLOG WITH FASHION BLOGGER BRENDA WANGARI TRIX


Every girl strives towards achieving confidence within their own skin and what they put on; be it accessories; shoes or even clothes. Every girl has a fashionista capsule in them.
It is paradoxical that at times ladies feel more insecure but however; the remedy is simple-going with what makes your gut feel at ease.

The well poised Brenda Wangari; preens while talking about her fashion blog- the style; love; affair blog. She is smiling from her eyes; updating her blog; while narrating how she’s always been a lover of fashion.




Her blog will revolutionize your wardrobe if you are looking for tips on outfits fit for a weekend-out; various occasions; office wear; streets style and funk or if you just want a change of wardrobe.

With Nairobians fast adapting to some kind of style; and respect for fashion; especially when gracing events; you can’t afford to be left out and behind in this best dressed affair.
Remember; it is hard to let your guard down; and if you dress wrongly; people will probably judge you. So try to look good and take good care of yourself.











For fashionista Brenda; “we express ourselves through what we wear but we must also check out our body types. What looks good on someone else might not look good on you. After all this; take a bold step and embrace yourself-that’s love; style; affair; simple and forever.”


MAN OF STEAL!-YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS THIS EXCITING PLAY


Better Pill Productions is pleased to invite you to the play MAN OF STEAL!
9th Aug at 6:30 p.m.10th and 11th Aug at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Kenya National Theatre

Charges: KSHS 500.

And the story goes...

In this hilarious melodrama, Mr. Okello, the rich villain in a modern day farming town seeks to win Rev. Kuti’s (the town Pastor)'s daughter with his money and guile. The very beautiful Charity Kuti’s piety and principles cause his desires to become a huge mountain to climb even for him who all his life had learnt that … “With money in your pocket, you are wise and you are handsome …. And you sing well too.”

With his sly side-kick Jack, Mr. Okello devises successive plans of winning over Miss Kuti’s heart, or at least her hand in marriage. These range from becoming a Christian to even bargaining with the mortgage of her father's church to win her. To do or not to do, that is the question.
The Irish have a Prayer that goes like;

May those who love us love us,
And those who do not love us,
May God turn their hearts,
And if He cannot turn their hearts
May He turn their ankles,
That we may know them by their limping.

In a world where it is not easy to know your true friends, Better Pill seeks to bring this Irish prayer to life in this hilarious Story of corruption, love and hypocrisy so that you may watch … and pray.

For delivery within Nairobi CBD, call 0726-362619 or 0731-374774 or emailinfo@betterpillproductions.com

Yours truly,

Better Pill Productions
Positive Media for a Healthy Society
0726-362619 or 0731-374774


UPART TOGETHER: PICTURE ME THROUGH THE FRAME…



The art scene in Kenya is pretty diverse.  I met a bunch of photographers and artists at the PAWA254 hub and their enthusiasm and creativity got my attention to shine the light on them.
Armed with their colorful frame and camera; the Upart Together crew takes pictures of people through the frame- a new reimaging of our city and its people.

Follow the discussion on Facebook: UPart Together.










CHEF ORNA KLOTSMAN- ORNA’S KITCHEN…




The self-taught chef Orna Klotsman runs the warm; tiled and well-equipped kitchen in a comely house. This is Orna’s Kitchen.

The chef of Russian and Spanish descent; has over 35 years’ experience in the culinary field; having worked at various hotels and institutions including Sheraton International Hotels; Fairview Hotel; Pwani Pool Restaurant and the Coca Cola Company; as head of catering.

Chef Orna’s longest stint at running her own restaurant (the then Orna’s Restaurant and Patisserie at ABC place; opened in 1993) lasted 9years.

However; her life-long passion to date remains sprucing up healthy; tasty and authentic dishes from just about any cuisine in the world; and then teaching others how to do the same. In this way; the quality of the cooking “makes you a guest in your own party.”





She now divides her time between organizing cooking lessons for amateurs and professionals at her kitchen.

If you want to indulge in fun cooking classes; then Chef Orna’s Kitchen is the place just for you. She will take you through 3 exciting courses namely; Sweet Endings; Easy Entertaining and Vegetarian Feasts. The courses take 4 weeks on average to complete.










In one session; lasting between 4-5 hours; students learn between 6-8 different culinary skills.
-located at Mzima Springs; off Riverside Drive; to book cooking lessons at Orna’s Kitchen 
contact; +254(0) 733 740 027/ +254 (0) 737 745 428




Tuesday, July 30, 2013

THE WAZI CAMPAIGN: ANIMATED PSA FOR PEACE



I will be honest. I have not been watching the mainstream media for months. I have not been before a television set God knows since when.
But the other week; a PSA I watched left me laughing but then again it stirred in me a positive debate.

The scenario; I think; had birds or flies coming to take resources and at one point the line was left unattended to because some had gotten many resources than the others.
In another scenario; three birds fight over who will build its nest on the branch of a tree. In a race; between two tortoises; one uses a shortcut to reach the Finnish line.


As the scenarios play out through these animated “Wazi Campaign” public service announcements (PSAs); a sagacious male narrator cautions the public against the negative behavior on display. He is later on revealed to be  a mzee(old man); who appears at the end of each PSA to reiterate the campaign’s  slogan, “KENYA NI JINA; NCHI NI WEWE” (Kenya is just a name, you are the country).


The PSAs currently airing across Kenyan TV-stations are created by Buni and supported through the Kenya Civil Society Strengthening Program (KCSSP); funded by USAID and DFID.
The campaign aims to inspire Kenyans to embrace peaceful elections and promote good 
governance.






-find Wazi Campaign on YOUTUBE; FACEBOOK and TWITTER as “THE WAZI CMPAIGN.”