Feeds
7776 items (0 unread) in 54 feeds
Welcome to Mashada Blogs! Read all your favourite blogs in one place.
«
Expand/Collapse
Kenyanpoet
-
-
3:04
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Every Tuesday morning on my way to the work, I always brace myself for some bit of jostling as I approach the area that is famously known as Maasai Market located just next to the globe roundabout.  It is an open air temporary market, famously known for its variety of curious mostly made in Kenya and some few Artifacts from other African Countries. It is a well known by tourists market although its year round clientele is largely Kenyans and Asians who throng the makeshift ground stands made out of clay and wares sometimes displayed for sale on the pedestrian walks in a bid to purchase ornaments, household decorations and even mementos. Well soon, it might be no more. As I walked there today at about 7.00am, a time by which most traders have already displayed most of their wares, I could not help but notice that something was amiss. Most of the traders were hurdled in small groups speaking in gloomy voices and there were only scattered display of curios here and there. I decided to ask what was going on as I suspected that they might have gone on strike owing to an increase in the daily levy charged by the City Council. I spoke to one elderly lady and inquired as to what was happening. Apparently, the land that has been Maasai Market is owned by a private developer. The city council had entered some agreement with the said developer to put up the Curio traders there as the developer did not have any immediate plans. Thus Maasai market has been operating there for as long as I can remember. The lady further explained to me that the City Council made a few phone calls to some of the traders yesterday evening informing them not to set up shop today thus most uninformed traders showed up as is norm, only to be told by their counterparts the fate that had befallen their market and source of bread. As she stood there, her comrades contemplating the next move, I could not help but feel remorse. The council had not done an official communication to them, neither has the council secured other grounds where the Maasai Market can be relocated to. Mind you, they do not get the grounds free of charge; every trader has to part with Ksh. 50 per day regardless of what curios they are selling. This is also not dependent on peak or low tourism seasons which normally determine how business turns out for the traders. One might sight the lack of a union by the traders as the reason for their woes. Unlike other food stuff traders who managed to secure one of the biggest markets now known as Muthurwa market rivaling the Karatina one, the curio traders work at the mercy of the City Council and more often than not, their individual voices and cries fall on deaf ears.  The only other space that they get in the city center is in the High Court parking space on Saturday which they were only given since the Judiciary does not utilize it over weekends. But one ponders - With the government looking at ways of expanding the tourism sector even to the extent of making the bomb blast memorial into a tourist attraction site, do curio and artifact traders not contribute to this growth? I doubt there is any tourist who comes through Nairobi into the various sites and goes home empty handed without as much as a souvenir! Aren’t Curio traders actually our cultural ambassadors? Point of Clarification Emerging reports regarding this post indicate that, the land where Maasai Market traders sell their merchandise on Tuesdays is owned by the City council and they intend to use that land for construction of a bypass.
  
-
-
14:02
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Kijani Trust Kenya has organized a Classical Music Concert and Art Sale & Auction At Ngong Racecourse on 12th Sept, 6.30pm. There will be guest performances of selected classical favorites by: Elizabeth Njoroge and Duncan Wambugu and A tribute to Pavarotti by Kenyas Three Tenors. Charges: Ksh. 3,500p.p which shall include:- gate fee, sumptuous dinner with fine wine. Tickets available from RaMoMa
  
-
14:00
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
There will be a book launch and signing at RaMoMa on Thur 4th Sept, 6.00pm Hawecha – A woman for all time is a story from Borana Culture By Rhodia Mann The Guest of Honor, Honorine Kiplagat
  
-
13:54
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
For affordable Art Market every last Saturday of the month, visit RaMoMa Art Gallery. You will get to Meet and buy artwork directly from artists at a cost not exceeding Ksh.10,000. from 10am – 4pm RaMoMa is located on 2nd Avenue Parklands Incase you get lost, call 0724 256 136
  
-
-
11:19
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Heart Strings Kenya is currently showing a play "Enuff is Enough": Men are incomplete women, at Alliance Francaise. The play started on 20th, with the curtain closing on 24th. The shows are at 6.30 on weekdays, 3 & 6.30pm on Weekends. The play is directed by Victor Ber and Samwel Mwangi. Kunja Dance are also showcasing they choreographed dances as well. for more info: 0721608656
  
-
10:24
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Uzinduzi Productions present 'Thieves as Human', A Kenyan play Written & directed by Fred Mbogo. Where: Kenya National Theatre When: Thursday 4th Sept, 6.30pm Damage: Tickets - Ksh. 300, Advance - Ksh.250 for more info or to book, call Sam on 0720 868968 or email: uzinduziproductions@yahoo.com
  
-
10:20
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Storymoja invites you to yet another sizzling storytelling season this August, due to public demand, the theme of sex is back and you have a choice on the following 3 venues all from 2-5pm:- On Saturday 24th of August we will be at vision place along thika road with Melissa Wainaina. On Sunday 25th @ 3 wheels restaurant Ngong rd with Simiyu Barasa The last one will be on Sunday the 31st August we will be at Tspot along Koinange street in town with Millie Dok In all the sessions there will be an open mike session for all to take part in, and share. Register now for the open mic! Entry is 100/=
  
-
-
11:54
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Soul to Soul Entertainment is offering a chance to any upcoming artist interested in recording their work. Anyone interested should collect a registration form at Enjoy Christin Bookshop located at Church house building, The forms will cost Ksh. 100.
Auditions will be held at the GoDown Arts Centre from 28th - 30th Aug. Only those who qualify from the auditions will get a record deal.
For more information call 0726 786342
  
-
-
3:18
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Having missed the previous Rhythm and Spoken event, which turned out to be a great and fully packed evening, I did not want to miss the friday one (8th). I even showed up almost an 1hr before the event started although it did start abit later than usual(it started at around 9.15pm). It seemed like most guys opted to give it a miss which was rather a shame as thats where we expounded my exposure to new soul artists and a great upcoming afro-fusion band.
 In the house was Phillo Ikonya and Renee of KenyaImagine, Obaladan, Tenzen/Sad and Mike Kwambo who was making a comeback after some months of hibernation.
Some pleasant changes have been incorporated by Naliaka and her team. She has decided to feature more neosoul with an African influence and more local music in her evening's playlist as well has feature live music.
The quintet male group called Aziza whose incorporation of an acoustic guitar and a violin,was a pleasant change to the mood set at the start of their event. This was despite the fact that, its was their first time to perform to a live audience. As I was later informed, they have also not recorded yet( any producers out there)
The performances were great as the crowd was manageable thus less noise but my highlight for the evening was a song 'Fire on the Mountain' that was placed as an interlude to other peformances.
I like to pride myself as a Neo-soul guru with a huge collection to show for it.I am on the net looking for new upcoming artists who, my fellow Neo-soul aficionados(like Naliaka and some others) haven't discovered yet. I must admit that on friday, I really felt challenged. Not only did I not know artist, I had also not heard this song and others by the same artist before. Apparently, Renee had heard it and it had driven her nuts(she practically ran to the DJ shouting and dancing with joy ).
That is how I discovered Asa(pronounced Asha).
Bukola Elemide also known as Asa is a Nigerian multilingual songstress born in Paris. Her early life in the City of Light left the little girl with only the vaguest of (happy) memories, since she was no more than two years old when her family returned to live in Nigeria. Paris was just one stage in the life of her courageous and hard-working parents. But her fate was tied up with the city : it was to Paris that Asa returned twenty years later and where her life as an artist took wing.
 Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Lagbaja and went on to draw inspiration from them. Asa was a lonely child. The family, her brothers, Africa….and yet : she didn’t fit into the usual clichés and was often sad, feeling out of place in childhood, even more so in the world of adolescence. She was different, and music became an escape route as well as a daydream. Asa would sometimes go to the park with her bothers to sing and dance, but more often took refuge in an imaginary universe that was her’s alone. Decked out in a wig borrowed from the maternal treasure chest, a tube of cream serving as her mike, revelling in the freedom of no one watching her, she sang Michael Jackson and Bob Marley hits and greeted an imaginary crowd…
Her style which is R&B, rubs up against pop, with reggae also making an appearance on Fire On The Mountain, the first track released from the album, an impertinent and barely-disguised metaphor for an ignorant and indifferent world. Anyone who refuses to pay attention to the sparks will have no choice but to run when the fire breaks out. The fire, it’s the conflicts we neglect because there is no oil at stake, but it’s also the paedophiles, domestic violence and poverty on your doorstep, and so on. Asa expresses her bittersweet point of view on the realities that move her in different forms, from daydream to nose-thumbing to SOS. Her aim is, of course, to transmit positive values, but also to put words to the things that hurt: Jailer, another highlight of the album, reinterprets the old adage “you reap what you sow”. This emblematic song with its irresistible refrain opens the album by denouncing modern slavery in all its forms. Asa combines these committed pieces with messages of hope: Eye Adaba (dove in Yoruba) where her voice takes on a fragile air to echo the acoustic guitar, 360, Peace, No One Knows… So Beautiful, a vibrant homage to her mother, Subway and Bi’Banke which take an original and insightful approach to love, full of strength and sensitivity. Sensuality intertwines with spirituality, rebellion with wisdom, on an inspired and optimistic first album. Highly personal and totally universal, Asa’s music will undoubtedly cross all frontiers, not just geographical, but also those of the heart and soul.
Africa, like the world’s pulse…
Africa, like a troublemaker…
Africa, like a cry of hope ringing in your ears…
Africa, like Asa.
Find lyrics to her songs here
Obaladan posed a question to me that I shall pass to you, how come there are all these Nigerian singers making international Headlines(Asa has been heard severally on BBC as well as features on other international Media here and here )There is also Nneka and Ayo who are also Nigerians and were featured on this blog some time back. He(obala) wondered, how come our 'celebrities'/celebutards do not get past the local media?
Huge Props to Naliaka and the RnS crew for setting the trend in alternative poetic entertainment.
Fire on the Mountain video
  
-
-
11:45
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
 Hip hop consumes me like strawberry blues Like the muse of Langston Hughes Like Maya Angelou’s bird Caging my mind into The fuse of words of different hues And sounds of decrypted melodic tunes of, the beat, of the rhythm, of Hip Hop. Hip hop consumes me like strawberry blues Leaving me clutching on to every straw of Flashes of its grand masters, to realize that the KRS is one, our cross is one. Unfortunately,it most Definetly is tad lib Common u Kweli That Nasty Gurus that got crunked into main streams Are removing all consciousness of the depth, of the power, of Hip Hop Hip hop consumes me like strawberry blues But like a drug addict in a rehab Yet with no power to kick the habit, I find you, hidden from airwaves Like Lupe’s Fiasco, Stashed into compact Disks For I must inhale you into my lungs, Let you into my brain, You, pure, strong, heavy like an aphrodisiac you get me all high and flowetic to the gospel, of Hip Hop. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. W kenyanpoet@gmail.com Aug. 2008 – All rights reserved©
  
-
-
3:31
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
The 2nd Slam Africa is On!
Tim Mwaura took it the first time round,
Now,
Spoken Word Artists compete to be the
2nd Slam Kenya Champion
When: Friday, August 15, 2008 Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm Where: Daas Ethiopian Restaurant Street: Woodvale Grove (Electric Avenue), Westlands City/Town: Nairobi, Kenya
  
-
-
9:46
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
STORYMOJA Presents THE NYAMACHOMA FIESTATheme: ‘Storytelling for Peace’SUNDAY 10th AUGUST 2008; 10am-7pmIMPALA CLUB, NGONG ROAD, NAIROBIENTRY: Ksh. 500/-CHILDREN (Under 12): Ksh. 200/- The 2ND Annual all day-long family celebration of Kenyan stories, writing and contemporary culture through books, storytelling, skits, live discussion forums, demonstrations, workshops, open-mike sessions, and competitions. Witness the beauty of Kenyan story-telling while you enjoy lots of food, drinks & nyama choma on sale. HIGHLIGHTS
COME VOTE FOR THE 'MASTER STORYTELLER OF NAIROBI!'MUSIC BY ANTO & GRANDMASTER MASESETWO AUDIO BOOK LAUNCHES, BOOK SIGNING & READING BY VARIOUS AUTHORS SEMINARS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE BY SUNNY BINDRA author of CROWN YOUR CUSTOMERDISCUSSION: MEN ARE UNDER ATTACK - LED BY CELEBRATED WRITER OYUNGA PALAWOMEN IN LEADERSHIP DISCUSSIONSWRITING WORKSHOPS: CAREERS IN WRITING, STORYMOJA BOOK CLUB, CREATIVE WRITING, MANUSCRIPT DOCTOR (EDITING), POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD.& MCHONGOANO COMPETITION!!!!!!
  
-
9:43
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Rhythm and spoken!
~
Poetry and open mic night
Feat Aziza afro-soul band
Friday 8th august 2008
Dass Ethiopian restaurant
Woodvale Grove, Westlands
Starts:8:30pm
Performances from:9-1030pm
Entry:100
performance details
call/text: 0728293632
email:projectheshima@hotmail.com
  
-
-
8:40
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
The Kenya Human Rights Commission( KHRC) brings you Mau Mau Film Festival from 6 th – 10 th Augustat the Alliance Francaise Auditorium. Entry is free.
Opening Night
Wed 6 Aug| 8pm
Mau Mau
a rock price hollywood production 8.45 pmitungati: the mau mau story
 a khrc production
Thur 7 aug |6.30 PmMau MauI: images of colonisation & independence in kenya
7.3opm
mighty times: the legacy of Rosa Parks
fri 8 aug |6.3o pm1857: the rising - the ballad ofmangal pandeyIndia's first uprising against British colonialism
sat 9 aug | 2.30 pm commandante: oliver stone interviews fidel castro
4.30 pm white man’s countryII: images of colonisation & independence in kenya
6.00 pm the revolution will not be televised people power defeats coup against president chavez
sun 10 aug 2.30 pmkenyatta Ill: images of colonisation & independence in kenya
4.00 pm
the process: the cuban five - the untold story 1o years hands deals with their trial in usa
5:30 pm malcolm celebrates the whole sweep of an american life
  
-
-
10:58
From: Kenyanpoet
-
-
9:31
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
 Number8 ( Dann Mwangi), a spoken word poet who also participated in the last Slam Africa Poetry Competition last month is inviting you to a Spoken word poetry performance on August 8th, 2008(08/08/08) at The Kenya National Museum from 6pm, entry is free. This will primarily be a Spoken word concert-alongside a live band and back ground vocalists. It also doubles up as a Mission Driven pre-album concert as there will be performances of some of the songs that will be in their sophomore album set to be launched early December 2008.He is also currently compiling his po8ry into a book that will be launched on the same day(8th,Aug) at the Museum.
  
-
8:09
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
This is the full list of Parties & Events at the Kwani? Literature Festival 2008
You can register online or contact the Kwani Lit Fest:
Email: litfest [@] kwani.org
Tel:+ 254 20 2364682, Mobile: +254.735.564.377
Full list of the Workshops can be found here
Opening party at Electropulco - Readings, performers, superb electronica group Just a Band, dj sets by Jean-Marie & Ugomatic and a host of glitterati. Come see, be seen, take in the creative vibe and the great tunes.
Friday August 1st (8.30pm onwards) @ Acapulco, Muthithi Road, Entrance Ksh 200/=
Magfest - Spend an afternoon talking to some of Kenya’s most established Magazine publishers and writers including Expression Today, Awaaz Magazine, Wajibu and more. Live Jazz band
Saturday August 2nd (2.30 - 5.30pm) @ Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens, Karen
 Finding Your Voice – Internationally acclaimed Gambian author Dayo Forster on Finding your Voice. Plus interviews, mingling with authors and a chance to purchase books
Saturday August 2nd (5.30-7.30pm) @ Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens 300/=
Sunday Salon - A special session of the regular Sunday Salon event with 4 new Kwani titles to buy. Billy Kahora and Andia Kisia will read from their kwaninis, while David Kaiser focuses on the new Kwani 05. Plus Stanley Gazemba with a relaunch of the Stone Hills of Maragoli
Sunday August 3rd (7-9pm) @ Kengele’s Lavington 300/=
Children’s Book Launch- WSPA proudly sponsors the launch of the Kiswahili translation of a children’s anthology, “ Mzigo Usioyamkinika” (The Unlikely Burden) with free books for the first 50 people. The Mediae Trust’s will provide a talk about how to include educational content in stories & the importance of storytelling in education followed by a video showing of “Ostrich and Hyena”.
John Sibi-Okumu will also launch his new book, Tom Mboya - Master of Mass Management, (a Longhorn/SasaSema Publication).
Fun activities for children including bouncy castle and face painting.
Sunday August 3rd (1-5pm), Kabete Junior Academy, Lakeview. 500/= adults and 250/= children (includes lunch)
Courting Controversy – Discusson with Kalundi Serumaga
Monday August 4th (2:30pm), @ Club Undecided, Westlands
Storymoja Book Club - A forum that gives book lovers an opportunity to discuss and share their opinions on books they have read. Kwani LItfest special includes the presence of author Doreen Baingana who’s award winning book Tropical Fish is under discussion.
Monday August 4th (6 - 8pm) @ Books First Restaurant on the first floor of Nakumatt Lifestyle, Monrovia Street 200/= non members
Open Mic- Litfest brings the results of Spoken Word to the regular Open Mic. See our special poets, come try your skills
Tuesday August 5th @ Club Soundd, Standard Street
Reading with Children - Stanley Gazemba reads excerpts from, WSPA’s recently published Kiswahili translation of “The Unlikely Burden” and parts of his new book with children from Kangemi at the WECOSA Resource Centre.
Wednesday August 6th (2.30-4.00pm) @ WECOSA Centre, Kangemi (next to St. Joseph’s)
NuMetro Readings - Join the Kwani crew for an evening reading and glass of wine with some of Africa’s leading writers including Kalundi Serumaga, Aminatta Forna and Billy Kahora.
Wednesday August 6th (6.30pm onwards) @ NuMetro, Westgate (opp. Nakumatt Ukay), FREE OF CHARGE
Strength in Diversity- An entertaining storytelling session based on the book In the Land of the Kitchen, which addresses typical discrimination scenarios in the workplace. The story will stimulate lively discussions, moderated by Mildred Awiti, a professional trainer.
Wednesday August 6th (6-8pm) @ Louis Leakey Room, National Museum. 500/=
Making Sense of Violence - How does one reconcile the mundane acts of everyday life with acts of daily violence and horror? Writers who struggle to make sense of humanity in times of overwhelming calamity discuss how to capture the enormity of these events in fiction. A public discussion at Nairobi University with Ishmael Beah, Kalundi Serumaga, Wambui Mwangi and other local writers.
August 7th (2.30 - 5.30pm) @ School of Journalism Nairobi University, ED II, Entrance FREE
Kibera Film Night - A celebration of new and old films. This is part of an ongoing screening series in Kibera by Hot Sun Foundation with technical support from FilmAid. Opening talk by Ishmael Beah.
Main Feature: Mohinder Dhillon’s “African Runners”
Short Films Include: Kibera Kid, A Knife Grinder’s Tale (based on the short story by Yvonne Owuor), and Train Menace in Kibera
Thursday August 7th (7pm - 9pm) @ Kamakunji grounds, Kibera
Literary Dinner: The Process of Memoir and Non Fiction with Aminatta Forna and Antony Altbeker. Plus publishing tips from Random House editor Ellah Allfrey
Thursday August 7th (8pm onwards) @ Tamambo, The Mall, Westlands. 1900/= (inc. course dinner)
 Revisioning Kenya After Party together with Authors in Conversation - Join the speakers from the conference and a roster of international writers including Ishmael Beah, Aminatta Forna and Chimamanda Adichie for readings, performances, networking and superb bitings. Official launch of Kwani 05
Friday August 8th @ Kifaru Garden, Kanjata Road 1900/= including dinner, kwanini and welcome drink
All things Theatre - Actor/Playwright John Sibi-Okumu will moderate a morning panel discussion on the state of Kenyan theatre today followed by a FREE afternoon performance of Eric Wainaina’s Lwanda. Panelists will include seasoned practitioners Alakie Mboya, Keith Pearson, Eliud Abuto and Cajetan Boy with Ugandan Kalundi Serumaga giving an outsiders perspective. Audience participation welcomed.
Lwanda, A Ghetto Story: The modern retelling of a Luo folk story about the
mythical Man of Stone, this musical theatre masterpiece written by Kora award-winning Kenyan singer-songwriter Eric Wainaina presents a gripping story of Nairobi slum life. Exploitation of the poor, manipulation of the weak….the people of Kwa Maji slum must find their voice and stand up to the unscrupulous elite who threaten their lives and livelihoods.
Saturday August 9th @ Kenya National Theatre.
Panel Discussion: 11:30am - 1:30pm ENTRANCE FREE
Performance: The musical Lwanda, 2:30pm ENTRANCE FREE
  
-
-
7:12
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
 IBM Germany and the international Literature Festival Berlin are announcing a poetry contest. From the 5th July until 30th August all users of the site www.sawubona-musicjam.com are invited to put a poem on the subject of " Good Hope" on the website. It should not exceed 30 lines. Poems in any language are welcome but only an English version which is either the author's own or the translation by any other user of the site will participate in the contest. Winners will be announced on September 10 th.
With the help of the website's users through simple ratings, the ten best poems will be shortlisted. Five international will then assess shortlisted ones and elect the win-ners of the contest. The decision of the jury will be made known on the 10th September at the 8th international literature festival berlin.
Prizes:
The first prize involves a trip to South Africa and a cash award of 500 Euro. 2nd and 3rd to receive the cash award of 500 Euro only. In the event that the author and the translator are not one and the same person, the cash awards will be equally shared between both of them. The trip to South Africa will be awarded in that case to each of the winners - author and translator.
Moreover the international literature festival berlin will select one participant of the competition who will have the possibility of appearing in the context of the Poetry Slam Show (more information is to be found at www.literaturfestival.com) at the 8th international literature festival berlin.
Contest Requirements - Requirement for participation is the availability of the poem besides the author‘s native language in english.
- The author can add his own translation or other users can translate his poem into english. Both the author of the original poem and the author of the best translation have the chance of winning. The prize will be splitted between both.
- Every poem must be submitted under the creative commons license "Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Germany".
  
-
-
14:20
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
I think I have been living under a rock, I just got to learn about this group 'Just a Band' this week.
 Just A Band is a Kenyan house/funk/disco band whose career was launched with their debut album, Scratch To Reveal, in 2008. Their music has explored various musical directions such as, but not limited to jazz, hip-hop, disco and electronica .
The band are also notable for their DIY aesthetic. In addition to writing, recording and engineering their music, the band creates their own music videos, packaging and promotional items and establishing a strong web and blog presence , referencing elements from virtual band like Gorillaz and incorporating anime and animation, illustration and photography in their visual campaigns.
They will, FOR THE FIRST TIME and in Kenya, have a LIVE Concert at Electropulco, marking the opening party for the KwaniLitFest, friday August 1st from 8.30pm(Acapulco, Muthithi Rd, westlands) Entrance Charges are Ksh. 200.
Out of all the songs I saw/heard namely, Maisha, Fly and Lalalalala, I love the latter most. I don't know if its coz of the choice of language(its in pure Swa) and also the afrofusion feel to it. ah! I give them props for this(again am not all that into electronica and Disco, but I will dance, heehehheh)
Watch the video here as you prepare to come watch them Live and hopefully grab one of the free cds they'll be throwing to the crowds.
  
-
12:48
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
 A few hours ago, I was at the Kenya National Library Services for the first in a series of poetry and readings that will be held at the venue every two months.
An idea was conceptualized by the Kwani team with an aim of increasing the spaces where literature is shared, and what better place than where it is lying in between book covers waiting to be made alive.
The provincial librarian officially opened the event with an aura of oldschoolness (he ordered the Citizen TV crew to be seated despite them trying to set up and record the event and later ordered guys to clap for him for a great speech, lol)
Well, the sweet Annette who was the event’s Emcee managed to radiate the Kwani feeling of free speech and invited yours truly onto the stage,(she’d mistakenly thought that Ndanu – the winner of ‘to be a man’ competition, was performing. I guess Ndanu’s day at the office was abit cold, she didn’t want to freeze further from guy’s inquisitive eyes)
I performed the first part of the piece ‘When change comes’. I was informed it’s quite lengthy and the last thing I wanted to do was have people starting to yawn or get their cellphones out to play games (you get my drift). I also performed ‘Welcome to America’; a piece I feel should be drummed into our heads lest we think that we will move to Canaan (stato) when Obama (our son) becomes orezo. America won’t change much; the Ku Klux Clan will still be there. I digress.
Next was Samuel Munene with his piece on a friend who wanted a mzungu boyfriend. Sam always amazes me on how he’s able to narrate his stories; the humor is just too fresh.
Cindy Ogana who finally mastered the courage to perform her work without reading it, (go gal) shared with the crowd he dilemma between reading her works and performing. She did finally perform a piece, reminiscent of the post election Violence.
Binyavanga Wainaina whose first name I must say, first got me questioning his Nationality, was in and he did read excerpts from his upcoming book ‘Discovering Home’. Those like me who have been perturbed by his name got to know the story behind it and more. Look out for the book when it comes it, I can promise it will be a great read.
Philo Ikonya, Kingwa Kamencu shared their written stories. I however missed Tony Mochama's performance, had to leave before the event ended. I hope the timing for subsequent events will be reconsidered.
  
-
-
10:53
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
I am your typical girl from the Slopes
Who was taught that trousers are for men
Shorts for boys
And well 
Dresses and skirts are for women and girls.
My grand mother always insisted
Red ink appeared on the lips of those who drank blood
Paint on nails was as rare to see as the occasional chapattis made over the festive season
I am your typical woman from the village
I wake up when the sun is still hiding far in the horizon.
Walk hours on end to the river to put water in the 2 mitungis
5 times I go back and forth,
The cows need to drink, Chicken, pigs, goats
Clothes washed,
The utensils from last night washed
Njeri & Kamau will bathe tomorrow
My husband
Snoring like a pig
Wakes up and shouts
Wanjiru Winaku ?
Wewe ni mwanamke ama mfano!
“ I am going to Nairofi to rook for a real woman”
A woman who is learned
A woman with kirathi
Not rike you
Everytime I want
Always compraining
Head, back, feet, stomach, teeth, hair, ah!
I want a Nairofi woman
I hate Nairofi women, those whish my husband wants
Yet he can’t have for more than a night
These women, is rike their eyes have been ricked by wild cats
They oroways want things
I want pizza (what in God’s name is that?),
I want a ndesigner handbag,
I want clothes,
I want money,
They only return his smiles when they can smell money on him
Like dogs on heat they follow him everywhere
Kwamaiko bar, sirikiso, they even have no shame
Coming into the compound asking for Mike!
Ati -Mathe ako wapi Mike?
Is micheal your mother
Micheal ni nyukwa!
Look at them, these women,
They behave so badly like its going out of style
Like the solea I still apply to my face
Like the hotcomb I still use to fry my hair
These women behave like wild cats
With painted faces, like Wangu the witch
Torn clothes like a cow was eating them
With tight trousers I wonder if they were poured into them
And panties peeping out of their behinds like they want to come out and be worn on top
But they say, I am not a well behaved woman,
That I am a shame to real women
They say, my covered hair in mother’s union headscarf,
Long dress, cracked feet and plain face
Should be cultural artifacts in the National museum
I say
They can go jump in a river
They are the real W.B.B (Women Behaving Badly)
--------------------------------------------------
N.W
All rights Reserved©
Inspired by a theme event at the GoDown Art Center some while back
--------------------------------------------------
  
-
10:51
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
FROM STANLEY TO KAPUSCINSKI - How foreign correspondents have formed the literary image of Africa. A panel discussion featuring Binyavanga Wainaina, Jonathan Ledgard, Maryanne Fitzgerald Moderated by Steve Bloomfield 23rd July 7 pm, start at Alfajiri, Maalim Juma Road, opposite Royal Media "We went into the heart of Africa self-invited — therein lies our fault." (Henry Morton Stanley) Since Stanley became the first man to cross Africa and write about it for the New York Herald, the literary image of Africa has been inked by foreign correspondents turned writers - Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, and Evelyn Waugh among them. Can the continent ever escape the dark romantics?
  
-
10:50
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Screenings of movies from Rwanda eg. 100 days will take place at the at Goethe-Institut, Nairobi Library Lounge, July 22nd, 24th and 29th, from 6pm, free entrance. More from NairobiNow
  
-
10:32
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
 Kwani? will host an interactive session featuring poetry performances, prose readings and story telling this Thursday at the Kenya National Library in Upper Hill Nairobi from 2 - 4pm. The event will feature Binyavanga Wainaina, Cindy Ogana, Njeri Wangari and Samuel Munene(whose work 'Obama My Uncle has been featured on this blog). This is a great opportunity to get information on how to participate in the Kwani Literary Festival and register for the writers' workshops.
  
-
-
12:03
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} On Friday 11th July, 11 slam poets were at  Dass Restaurant ready to battle for the much publicized slam poetry competition. Poetry fans had thronged the place by 9.pm, the scheduled start time for the slam. The place held more than the recommended capacity as half the crowd had to stand at the back (near the bar counter) as all seats were occupied. Neema Ngwatilo started of by warming the stage with her legendary 'Goat Meat', a piece that always showcases her prowess in stage performance and her ability to take the audience into her journey of this delicacy(which is off course a deep piece about more than just goat meat). The event emcee for the evening was Imani. Blaze was behind the scenes making sure that we got the best of underground hip hop and Neo soul music ( I didn't know Guru had such great music). Soon after Imani welcomed the crowd and gave a brief of the evening and basic rules of the slam, the first poet, Dennis Inkwa came up to the stage. His piece on the many women who came into and out of his life, left everyone in tears of laughter. He has this thing with accents that he seems to have perfected and it worked very well for his performance. However, being the first act, the judges were a bit reserved in their scores and so he was not able to make it back on stage. The next slam poets were, Sad, James with a piece on matata, Tim, Black Skillz, Number 8, Obaladan with a hilarious piece on his 'Mujojo', Afiya, Kawira, Eudiah and yours truly, N.W with a piece on 'Matatu Culture' Only 6 slammers (they should have been 5 but there was a tie) were able to make it to the 2nd round:- Tim, Obala, Blackskillz, Sad, No.8 and Kenyanpoet(the only lady to make it to the next round, but do I say) The final round was between Tim, Obaladan and No.8, Tim Mwaura came out as the Slam Champion with 28.5Points beating his closest opponent with only 2 points. It was an evening full of fun although the rules for the slam were not followed strictly. It was however a great start as there will be other such slams held every end month. The aim; to come up with the 'Kenyan slam dream team' that will go on to start the concept of slam in countries where WAPI has presence (Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria etc) For me, like the other slam poets, it was a chance to gauge oneself in all aspects of content, flow, stage presence, crowd involvement and guts. I can promise you that Tim will not have it easy in the next slam (that’s a challenge to me). All those who came for the event felt that it was an evening well spent and most signed up for updates on the next Slam Poetry event. Keep it here for info on the next Poetry Slam event.
  
-
-
14:42
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Rhythm & Spoken Friday 18th July Dass Ethiopian restaurant Woodvale Grove, Westlands Starts:8:30pm Performances:9-10:30pm Entry:100 if you would like to feature call/text:0728-293632 or email: projectheshima@hotmail.com
  
-
-
12:54
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Anyone living in Nairobi will  attest to the fast growth of poetry performance in recent years. I have talked of this in my previous posts on this forum(here) and here.
With almost 3 constant Poetry performance forums every month, many budding poets as well as those who have been in the game for long have been thronging these venues. What is evident is also the interest it has sparked among those who were only writing their poetic pieces but hoping to one day have them published. The open mic sessions which are usually incorporated in these night's performances gives a chance to such potential performing poets and with great sucess I must say. It has however become abit mind boggling telling the difference between these terms:- Poetry reading, Poetry performance and spoken world performance. Many might say there isn't much difference. That is why Imani INC(Yes by Imani the Poet) and Spark Africa(Buddha Blaze) came together to start the first Slam poetry of its kind in Kenya, and to an extent, Africa. The idea behind the slam is not for the competition but mainly to set standards in poetry/spoken word performance(we may use the word benchmark). In a previous post on this forum, I tackled this question, "What is Spoken word performance?" If you have watched any DefJam poetry shows then you will get the drift.  This Friday, 11th July 08, come to the Dass Restaurant for a poetry slam night. This will be the first in a series of Slam events that will be held all over Africa, a culmination of Slam Africa Competition that will seek to find the best Spoken word performer in Africa.
Your's truly will be among those competing, so come on and show your love. "It will be a metamorphosis of poetry"by Imani Woomera
What is Poetry slam and how does it work? Simply put, poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. Established in the mid-80s as a means to heighten public interest in poetry readings, slam has evolved into an international art form emphasizing audience involvement and poetic excellence. In the majority of slam series, organizers stage weekly or monthly events in a public space, such as a bar or cafe. Origins Marc Smith is credited with starting the poetry slam at the Get Me High Lounge in Chicago in November 1984 In July 1986, the slam moved to its permanent Chicago home, the Green Mill Jazz Club. In 1990, the first National Poetry Slam took place in Fort Mason, San Fransisco, involving a team from Chicago, a team from San Francisco, and an individual poet from New York. The National Poetry Slam has grown and currently features approximately 75 certified teams each year, culminating in five days of competition. National poetry slam results Slam Poetry Rules Poets wishing to compete sign up with a host, and the host finds five audience members who wish to serve as judges. Poets must follow a series of rules: the poems must be of each poet's own construction, the poet may not use props, costumes, or musical instruments, and if the poet goes over the time limit (three minutes plus a 10-second grace period), points are deducted from his or her score. Judges, who are encouraged to factor both content and performance into their evaluations, judge each poet on a 0.0 to 10.0 scale. The high score and low score are dropped, and the middle three scores become the score for that particular poet. To insure that the entire audience is involved, the host encourages the audience to respond to the poet in any way they see fit, be it impassioned cheering or lusty booing. The judges, in turn, are encouraged to remain consistent with themselves and not let the audience influence them. In a typical competition, all poets read one poem in the first round. Based on the scores they receive, the top-scoring poets go on to the second round, and from that pool, a smaller number of the highest-scoring poets in the second round go on to the third and final round. While the specifics vary from slam to slam, certified slams adhere to this basic structure, insuring that poets must seek to make immediate connections with the audience in order to continue on. Cash prizes or other prizes are offered to the winner as further impetus for performing well. In most cities, the slam series culminates with a final slam at the end of the season to determine which poets will represent the city at the National Poetry Slam.
Slam Poetry Style & Influences
Poetry slams feature a broad range of voices, styles, cultural traditions, and approaches to writing and performance. Some poets are closely associated with the vocal delivery style found in hip-hop music and draw heavily on the tradition of dub poetry, a rhythmic and politicized genre belonging to black and particularly West Indian culture. Others employ an unrhyming narrative formula. Some use traditional theatric devices including shifting voices and tones, while others may recite an entire poem in ironic monotone. Some poets use nothing but their words to deliver a poem, while others stretch the boundaries of the format, tap-dancing or beatboxing or using highly-choreographed movements. Succes of Slam Events By adhering to a structure that factors in the audience at such a basic and integral level, slams have emerged as the most vital and best-attended of many cities' regular poetry events. Whereas many open mike events tend to serve either the poets who participate or a particular target community, slam's emphasis on addressing the audience has garnered slam a more inclusive, more diverse audience than the typical poetry reading. By marrying poetry with competition, slam has allowed non-traditional audiences a tangible and intriguing avenue for experiencing poetry in a live prime-time setting.
"The spoken word revolution is led a lot by women and by poets of color. It gives a depth to the nation's dialogue that you don't hear on the floor of Congress. I want a floor of Congress to look more like a National Poetry Slam. That would make me happy." Bob Holman
Read about the complete history of Slam Poetry.
  
-
-
10:31
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
The first words I uttered were, tata and mama Only a child then muttering Like an echo from a distance Words that I only resonated. My mother’s lips, The roll of her tongue The flow of her words The role of my mother’s tongue Yes My mother tongue A tongue that has created a sound to the maker of culture A tongue that has created words whose proverbs made warriors of men A tongue that carried the weight of images Like a film, capturing and describing every heartbeat, every beat of a drum Every sun’s heat A tongue that formed solid gold words Whose words inspired thought of men to form tales, proverbs, idioms A tongue that gave birth to poetry, wise saying and folklore My mother’s tongue Yes My mother tongue I love my mother tongue Its cai and sukari sounds Like a snake hissing Words no other tongue can utter Nor explain their dept in meaning Deeper than still waters Broader than the rift in the great valley But why am I so afraid, Ashamed to let my tongue roll these words My lips like Maya Angelou’s bird are caged by foreign tongues My mother tongue is but a ghost now, A tongue ghost that haunts me fighting to be a living memory Fighting to reveal forgotten mysteries Resurrect me from white cemeteries Mass graves of western sanctuaries Oh mother speak! Call me out from this tomb Unearth the soil of ignorance, sophistication with your bare hands Call me out, break this spell that haunts me Let me take the remnants of your tongue’s pride ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N.W Kenyanpoet@gmail.com All rights Reserved©
  
-
-
11:09
| |
It is an open air temporary market, famously known for its variety of curious mostly made in Kenya and some few Artifacts from other African Countries. It is a well known by tourists market although its year round clientele is largely Kenyans and Asians who throng the makeshift ground stands made out of clay and wares sometimes displayed for sale on the pedestrian walks in a bid to purchase ornaments, household decorations and even mementos.
The only other space that they get in the city center is in the High Court parking space on Saturday which they were only given since the Judiciary does not utilize it over weekends.
