USIU CULTURE WEEK LIVES UP TO THE BILLING

#culture week

Fashion trends; beautifully dressed women; on-point guys; delicacies; outdoor fun and activities. All these went down this week, Tuesday 11-Thursday 13 march at the United States International University (USIU) Culture Week.

Gates opened as early as 9am each day. The exhibitors’ area and sponsors pitched tent all day. Each county’s tent was an affair to outdo each other. The after affair in each tent saw music meet fashion, great food and the country’s specific culture and what it has to offer.

But Thursday night; the most anticipated climax gala night concert is what everyone else awaited for.

The glitz? Check! The glamour? It was there in abundance. Oh, the cultural performances and the stars were aplenty.

The ceremony; held in USIU was everything you could wish for to honor the university’s finest and diverse continental and international cultures.

Not even Daystar University’s Culture Week was a match. Mind you both universities were holding culture weeks on the same week. USIU culture week went viral from day 1. “Selfie moments” of the event on social media created the much-needed hype and fuss.

The night’s host; radio girl Lulu Saini and the Luo Omera Teddy Eugene were on-point. Sure Lulu had a boo-moment from the crowd; but as the night went by-she seemed to have won back the crowd’s love.

Performances by Michezo Africa; GBS crew and the acrobats only spiced up the curtain raiser. On the decks; DJ No-ID of USIU 99.9FM and Joe Mfalme kept the turbo charged crowd on their feet all night.

And when Professor Buyu took the stage; he had a few words; “I declare culture week officially opened!” the same sentiments were shared by Mr Apidi; representing Coca-Cola who were also sponsors of the event, “let the happiness continue!”

The judges panel had Mr. Charles Mwakio, professor Scott, Mrs. Waturi and Mr Earnest- the panel given the task and mandate to officially declare the best cultural performance fort the night.

The performances were amazing but even so; the night had its fair share of surprises. The rain not to mention came pouring hard but that only saw the crowd get even more excited awaiting the winners. Both Tanzania’s and Nigeria’s performances were well choreographed; high energy, bright and colorful.

The Nigerians did not disappoint either as they flashed out their notes on stage in what seemed like a scene from a movie; as the crowd pushed forward to try and pick up the notes that were being flashed on stage.

Nigerians too dominated in the awards. India bagged the Best Exhibition award for the week. With 144 points; 10 points less than the 1^st runners up; the 2^nd runners up award for the night went to a surprise and off-rated Rwanda who were also shocked to receive the award.

Tanzania surprised, taking the 2^nd runners up position and leaving two giants; Kenya and Nigeria to battle for the number one. Well; Nigeria held the bragging rights for the night as they were declared the overall winners for the night after their spectacular performance that left the crowd yearning for me and bowing to their performance shouting-“igwee! Igwee! Igwee!”

On Nigeria’s performance; the judges had this to say-“their originality scared us! Their performance: made us forget we were even judging! They had a fantastic performance and coordination.”

Taking the trophy award; the Nigerians gave the crowd a taste of their “skelewu dance” as they celebrated.

The event’s sponsors; Kenya Buzz, CBA Bank, BuyMore Kenya, Coca-Cola and the many others did a fantastic job and mad the event even more memorable.

For the fashion enthusiasts; the night was all colorful. Somalia bagged the best dressed male award; taking it from Nigeria who won last year; while Kenya Maasai lady bagged the best female dressed for the night.

So, to the organizing committee; Sonia, Nabil, T.J, Shazaan, Natasha, Fionah and Nalia; you are definitely on the right track and you have everyone’s attention now. You can fail only if you want to.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

Check out the pictures here-https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.611687435575298.1073741925.440804702663573&type=3

“OTONGLO BOY” RETURNS

#DRAMAFEST

Curtains open, lights on, action! That has been the daily call for many a young thespian for the last three months as schools and colleges competed for honors on stage under the theme, “Celebrating Our Diversity For national unity.”

And  this week, inside a totally packed auditorium, Highway Secondary School’s Daniel Owira made his long –awaited comeback after he stole the show last year with his narrative “Otonglo Time;” directed by Clifford Nyakwar Dani.

He did not disappoint at all, to the cheers of the crowd. Booking another performance date before the president once again for the second year consecutively, owira stole the show this time round with a narrative calling for Zero Tolerance towards drugs and substance abuse- directed by Apondi Situnya.

Owira’s performance amongst the over 10,000 participants, have aroused the sleepy town to drum beats, choral reverberations, emotional outpouring, laughter and high spirited dance steps.

Nyeri plays host to the annual Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

CELEBRATING ART:Artist profile: Dennis Muraguri, Kenya

Artist profile: Dennis Muraguri, Kenya

Updated about 6 months ago

Dennis Muraguri is a Kenyan artist who was born in 1980 in Naivasha. He attended the Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts in Nairobi between 2000-2003, where he graduated top of his class and attained a Diploma in Painting and History of Art.Muraguris sculptures are a representations of the industrialization in Kenya and most of them are inspired by music, as can be seen his use of parts of instruments or metal shaped as such. All sculptures are mixed media where wood and metal are combined. The metal used represents the people who

manufacture all kinds of things. The wood, on the other hand, symbolizes the natural side of life. Muraguri says he finds the overall inspiration for both his paintings and sculptures in globalization. The message in Muraguris work is positive and reflective, it tells the story that Africa is no longer the ‘Dark Continent’ but it is becoming more and more modernized and affected by technology.(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216485391747764.56105.100924889970482&type=3)

MAFIKIZOLO THRILL NAIROBI WITH SPIRITED PERFORMANCE AT BLANKETS & WINE

So what if Kenyans do not understand a word of the ubiquitous Zulu song, Khona, by South Africa’s sartorially and sonically gifted band, Mafikizolo? One thing that was understood at the Blankets and Wine concert, is Kenyans love a good live act.

Blankets and Wine celebrated its 50^th edition concert in Carnivore over the January 4^th weekend. The crowd no doubt screamed the wrong lyrics, but it didn’t even matter because Mafikozolo’s presence on stage was entertaining and the melodies familiar to the attendees. The amped up crowd chanted “KHONA” with the kind of gusto you’d expect to see at a Gor Mahia match. “If you’re going to play around with the love I gave you, bring it right back here,” Nonhlanhla Mafu summarizes of the song’s meaning. Khona won the “Most Gifted Dance Video” at the 2013 Channel O Video Music Awards.

Nonhlanhla is poised and lady like as she sits alongside her equally fashionable band member, Theo Kgosinkwe, at the Southern Sun Hotel. “Music and fashion go together. We’ve always taken our act very seriously.” Both members are impeccably groomed and well dressed. During the interview, Theo sports a colorful masai bracelet and fitted green blazer paired with a Mandela tee. Nonhlanhla wears a Barbie-esque pink lipstick, which compliments her flawless skin, and bright floral pants. It’s not hard to see why she started a clothing label, NN Vintage.

Mafikizolo’s latest album, Reunited, celebrates intercontinental languages and musical influences. This is most evident in the singles, Happiness and Nakupenda. One thing that devastated the fans and band members was the death of Mafikizolo’s third member, Tebogo Madingoane.“We were not going to look for another member. He would have liked that, not to be replaced,” says Theo. Since Tebogo’s death in 2004, the remaining band members pursued solo projects, but Mafikizolo are stronger together and that was clear at the Carnivore grounds this past weekend.

The combination of having a live band, entertaining dancers and a string of hits which the audience recognized was a winning combination and a great start to the 2014 Blankets and Wine program. The popular event is in the process of becoming a festival, instead of a one afternoon event, which features a mix of different genres from various African countries. Speaking specifically on Kenya, Muthoni The Drummer Queen said: “We need to export the music. All these Kenyan bands deserve to be known on the continent.”

For more info, log onto: www.blanketsandwine.com

By Josephine Opar.

http://www.upnairobi.com/dt_portfolio/mafikizolo-thrill-nairobi-with-spirited-performance-at-blankets-and-wine/

BLANKETS AND WINE AT 50 REVIEW

After an explosive first: a two-day Blankets & Wine (B&W) festival, held at the Carnivore grounds during the first weekend of January 2014, it’s now official – B&W is undoubtedly Nairobi’s number one monthly music festival and Kenya’s grandest. The first edition boasted over 10 live music acts (including countless DJs) from Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. They included big names like: The Villagers Band, Just a Band (JAB), Sauti Sol, Harry Kimani, Mi Casa Music and Mafikizolo among others.

B&W has earned its high-flying reputation and stood the test of time. The picnic-style music festival started in Nairobi, five years ago, is now adored by many (mostly music lovers and trend-setters) and has become a serious crowd puller. Their first event of 2014 was a celebration of 50 B&W events and Kenya’s 50^thindependence anniversary. “We are very proud and satisfied at our two-day attempt. Nairobi now has a festival that we will work on till it gets to Glastonbury level. This is the direction in 2014,” asserted B&W Founder and CEO Muthoni Ndonga, adding, “The festival will be changing form and taking shape into becoming a world-renowned festival, and the idea of creating a bigger experience to focus on the African acts pushing boundaries and helping Africans come together.” B&W continues to impress and break boundaries. Since its inception, the festival has managed to expand to Uganda and Tanzania, and according to its CEO; this year intends to expand further into Tanzania and Rwanda, before venturing into other African countries like Zambia and Malawi.

She was speaking at a press conference attended by UP held at Mayfair Hotel, a day after the successful festival. During B&W Saturday fest, Mi Casa, Sarabi, JAB and Sauti Sol impressed with stellar and energetic live performances. On Sunday, the sweet-voiced Harry Kimani was the local breakout star. The former acclaimed “Haiya” singer, fell off the music scene recently following personal problems. He seems to have started off this year on the right foot, with his performance including the new single “Happiness”, backed by his angelic vocalists. The Villagers Band performed just before Mafikizolo, setting the pace for what would be a volatile and highly energetic performance (that included a choreographed dance show and crowd participation) from the South African duo, best known for their singles “Ndihamba Nawe” and “Khona”.

While at the press conference we caught up with Mi Casa Music, South African deep house band comprising members: JSomething (vocalist and guitarist), Dr. Duda (producer) and Mo – T (trumpeter). Just after completing a tour around 16 African countries including their host, South Africa, Mi Casa Music made a second return at B&W 50^th edition. Their latest single “Jika” off their new album is currently riding high on international charts. The three and a half year-old band promises that they are together to stay. About their diverse sound – lead singer JSomething says, “Everything about Mi Casa is very natural and not planned. Our sounds will always be us. Our music goes a lot deeper than house. We try to use live elements in our deep house (more soulful house) music, using house genre as our foundation. It’s what we grew up to. Duda grew up on a gospel front, Mo grew up on the jazz front and I grew upon the soulful side. That’s how we come up with our stirred up music, and adds “You will be surprised that house music is way bigger than kwaito in South Africa. House music had a perception that you have these four chords and a tag line and you’re done. Now we are creating music within house. That’s that but we are bringing out the musicality to house. Thank God it’s working and now the majority of house music coming from South African is very different.”

With such a rousing first edition of B&W January, we await to see their next course of action and music acts lined up for 2014.

For more on B&W, visit blanketsandwine.com

By Anyiko Owoko.

http://www.upnairobi.com/dt_portfolio/blankets-wine-at-50-review/

STRUT IT AFRIKA FASHION WEEK RECAP

TGIFF: Thank God it’s Fashion Friday

I love seeing a new idea trend take hold, inspiring new fashion trends and causing the older fashion timelines to up their game. My first ever call-up to be a blogger for an organization was by the prolific model agency- Strut It Afrika.

Though I did not get the job; I was humbled and honored to have made the cut as being a blogger they had thought of when looking to increase their social media presence. Now I write from the other end.

The past month heading to October; Strut It Afrika hosted the first ever regional fashion week in African history. The theme: “Fashion, Art & Dance.” The event, running from 20^th September 0ctober 5^th 2013; saw a great fusion of fashion, art and dance.

It was also Nairobi’s first ever fashion week. The event kicked off at the IMAX Cinema, displaying an impressive array line-up of models and designers.

From photography workshops to cocktail previews and art exhibitions; the event made a climax stop at the Safari Park Hotel for the much anticipated fashion shows.

The fashion week featured a packed program, showcasing 22 designers and 33 models from all over Africa.

The week wouldn’t be complete without the art exhibitions, dance performances and a lot of funky parties.

F: Strut It Afrika   T: @StrutitAfrika    #ExperienceAfrika   E: bookings@strutitafrika.com   call: +254 703 715 351 or +254 703 715 388

By Embukane Vincent Libosso