Kenyanpoet - A Kenyan Artistic Space

Poem : Simple Reading

2009-11-05T18:00:00.000+03:00

Can you read a simple mind
simplify it with the simplicity of any sample matter
by simply reading in between it?

I can
To me,
its simple reading.

Can you read a book
quantify it with the quality of any quoted master
by simply reading in between its covers?

I can
to me
its simple reading.

----------------------------------------------------

Njeri Wangari

NjeriWangari(at)kenyanpoet(dot)com

Nov. 2009

Watch out for Ukurasa - Simple Reading
Coming to a computer near you.

National Blackout, A missed interview show and a date with Braeburn School

2009-11-02T09:00:00.000+03:00

I had mentioned(read -mildly bragged) that our Poetry group, Mstari wa Nne would be appearing on K24 for as part of an Entertainment show during the Daniel Pearl World Music day celebration at Paa Ya Paa. Apparently, the show did not come and even if it did, the whole country was in the dark due to a black out whose cause is yet to be established.
I will be following up with Remmy of K24 on this.

In other news, we (Mstari) have received and Invitation from Braeburn Garden Estate School for a performance during their closing day towards the end of November. This was after our performance at PYP, something that really impressed the invited guests.

More details will be coming soon when the date and time is confirmed. I must say this is a great opportunity for us to inspire students who still frown at the mention of poetry. I hope that we can get more invites from Learning Institutions.

Watch Mstari Wa Nne on K24, Sunday 1st Nov from 6pm

2009-10-30T17:02:00.000+03:00

Last Sunday 25th was the Daniel Pearly World Music Day at the Paa Ya Paa gallery in Ridgeways Kiambu. Mstari Wa Nne crew, now the official poets for the event, were there and did more than just wow the many friends of Elimo, Phillda and the US Embassy.

The K24 crew was there and they decided to interview us. Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, Mike Kwambo was missing in action in the whole interview, he did however perform 2 great poems on Harmony for Humanity. Denno, I need to feature your poem on IDPS on this blog.

Watch this show on Sunday 1st November from 6pm.

A shout out to Remmy or K24, still waiting for you in your other life as a poet.

A snapshot of the Stop Hunger in Kenya Concert featuring Oliver Mtukudzi, Suzanna Owiyo and other African Artists

2009-10-19T10:15:00.000+03:00

Last Saturday(17th) was quite an eventful one with 2 events that were set to take place the same evening in different parts of Nairobi. Just A Band were launching their 2nd Album title '82' at the GoDown Art centre from 7pm. On the other side of town at the Bomas, Action Aid with collaboration from various other organisations were hosting various artists from around Africa in a bid to raise money for those dying of hunger in Kenya.

The concert had brought together Professor J, AY from Tanzania, Ntsika from SA, Didier Awadi from Senegal, Kidum from Burundi, Wahu, Nameless and Suzanna Owiyo from Kenya and the show stopper, Oliver Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe.

The turnout was huge despite the cold weather and a sky that threatened to open up anytime and needless to day I had to give the Album launch a miss.
I needed to take photos of Oliver which I failed to do during his previous performance a few weeks ago. He however declined to take photo with fans but I did manage to capture some good moments and even pulled a 'hand on KICC' photo stunt.

PS. Mstari wa Nne fully represented and we had a great time listening to some poetry perfomance by Ntsika. Denis actually made the whole congregation sing the Kenya National Anthem at some point just before a speech by one of the organizers.

Enjoy the album and the short clips of Tuku's team thoroughly entertaining revelers.

Lamu Cultural Festival; 20th - 21st Nov, 2009

2009-10-17T10:38:00.000+03:00

The trade winds of the Indian Ocean have been bringing visitors to the Lamu Archipelago for centuries. Commerce brought the East African coast into contact with distant peoples and cultures as early as two thousand years ago. The earliest known old historical records – the 1st century AD Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, as well as the 3rd Century AD Ptolemy’s Geography – talk of the coast, its inhabitants and the trade. The local people of Lamu have a long established tradition of welcoming travelers. In the same spirit, the Lamu Cultural Promotion Group bids you a warm ‘Karibuni’ to the 9th Lamu Cultural Festival to experience a heritage and traditions that have earned Lamu Old Town the coveted place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Lamu Old Town is a unique and rare historical living heritage with more than 700 years of continuous settlement. Since its inscription as a World Heritage Site In 2001, the Lamu Cultural Promotion Centre, a community based group, has been organizing an annual cultural festival to promote the unique Swahili heritage of the Lamu Archipelago.

The three day festival showcases traditional dances, displays of handicraft and competitions on water and land (Swahili poetry, donkey races, dhow races), and musical performances.
This year’s programme will feature a dramatized performance of the poem ‘Mnazi: Vuta N’Kuvute’ (The Coconut tree; “A Tug of War’) by the Kenyan poet, Abdilatif Abdalla, from his collection of poems ‘Sauti ya Dhiki’ (penned while serving a prison term during the Kenyatta government in post independent Kenya). Musical performances from Morocco and Brazil will highlight the universality of shared influences over time, and Praful Kumar and party from Mombasa will entertain the spectators till dawn with music from Bollywood.

There will also be displays of traditional handicraft, henna painting, Swahili food and a Swahili bridal ceremony.
Lamu Fort will host a poster exhibition on ‘Bombay Africans (1850 -1910)’, part of a series of exhibitions from the Royal Geographical Society’s project ‘Crossing Continents – Connecting communities’. ‘Bombay Africans’ is a unique group of Africans liberated by British cruisers from Arab slaving dhows in the Indian Ocean and taken to India where many were placed in local employment or in charitable institution. These freed slaves proved to be an important source of interpreters and assistants in the history of exploration in Eastern Africa.

The other highlights of the Festival include the official opening of the restored ‘Dheule Mosque’ in Shela (a mid 18th century traditional Swahili exhibiting cultural, historical and architectural traits that are of invaluable significance to the people of the Lamu archipelago) as well as the launch of the pictorial book ‘Lamu, Kenya’s Enchanted Island’ with photographs by Carol Beckwith, Angela Fischer, David Coulson and Nigel Pavitt and text by George and Lorna Abungu and poems by Sheikh Nabhany.

Lamu offers accommodation to suit all pockets. Transport by road to Lamu is safe. Public transport from Mombasa leaves daily at 7, 10 and 11am (Tawakal Bus, Tel. Mombasa 041 2222975, Mob. 0723141777, Tel. Lamu 042 4633380). The journey from Mombasa to Mokowe on the mainland takes six hours, followed by a half an hour boat ride to Lamu Island. Attached is a list of flying packages offered by Phoenix Safaris.

Other attractions include:
· Lamu Museum, exhibiting Swahili culture and the mainland’s non-Swahili groups
· Lamu Fort, dating back to 1821, having been built by the Sultan of Oman shortly after Lamu’s victory over Pate and Mombasa in the battle of Shela
· German Post Office Museum
· Swahili House Museum
· Takwa National Monument on Manda Island (a settlement dating back to AD 1500, with ruins of a Great Mosque and a pillar tomb)
· Ruins of Shanga, an 8th century Swahili settlement, on Pate Island, containing remains of the coral walls of 160 houses, two palaces, three mosques and hundreds of tombs
· The early Swahili settlement of Pate, once a power in the region
· Numerous sites and monuments that showcase Swahili civilization at its height in the 15th century
· Donkey sanctuary for the old beasts of burden
· The dhow making village of Matondoni

A wonderful opportunity to experience the island’s unspoiled beaches, medieval ambience, architecturally magnificent Old Town, gracious population, and traditions of an enchanted island where history continues to live.

A review of the PEN Kenya Poetry night at Wasanii

2009-10-16T15:37:00.000+03:00

Ah, "poets," said Safi Abdi, "are linked by a call akin to faith."

So last night they descended on the upwardly Wasanii Restaurant at the Kenya National Theater by this call to showcase their pieces, courtesy of PEN, reading tents.

First on the scroll was the deadlocked poet-activist and documentary maker Githugu, whose brief it now dawns on me was to fire the crowd to a militarized sort of poetry.

Then came Denis Inkwa, the versatile open micer, Mike Kwambo, Leon Kiptum and one Njeri Wangari, the foursome performing poets, whose poetry is summed from one of their piece by Mike Kwambo - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised/Its Happening Here And Now.

Come on, PEN Kenya Deputy President, novelist Onduko bw' Atebe, tapped me during Eudiah Kamonjo's performance, hear that, it is full of lesbian overtones!

Wherefore i retorted, but that is Eudiah, her poetry dwells in sexuality. True, lady Eudiah has a collection of poems that explores this subject and which are yet to be published.

Also performing was budding poet and Slum Poetry winner (2009) Wanjiku Mwaura, a student at Kenyatta University, Valentine Kamau, and then cane a blend of musicals by Grandmaster Masese and MC Sharon.

Ian Vale, from PEN - Poverty Eradication Network - described the PEN - Poets Essayists Novelists - poetry night as a wonderful performance.

Whats more, Tamsin Mitchell, International PEN (London), Writers In Prison Committee, said the event was inspiring, the fact that people came to hear poetry recitals, is a feat admired by many. Tamsin is in Kenya on a working tour. I met Daily Nation columnist Kwamchetsi Makokha, and spoke to Bill Odidi of Radio France at the performance. And there was George Orido from the Standard.

Bill engaged me on the subject of poetry and spoken word. Poetry, i said, has an element of absolute beauty. About the spoken word, i referred him to a friend. These are cheerful polemics.

Review by Khainga O'Kwemba - The Treasurer at PEN International Kenya Chapter
He can be reached on khaingao(at)yahoo(dot)com

Poem: Connect by Marten Schoonman

2009-10-15T17:10:00.001+03:00

Leaders decide, society sighs
What will happen in Williams life?
His family waits, the pots are all empty
William wonders, he wonders what next

Data streams fly, invisible chats
On cars and refrigirators with features for rich
William unknowing what other moan
He sits in a chair and chews on a stone

The web is the greatest, some live connected
They forget who they are when the PC's affected
Life is connected, but not with a wire - you know
wires too much, too many wires

Are we connected, are we you think?
In one way or another, do we connect?
Do nations and people of different standards?
Do children here and elsewhere connect?

Invisible line, songlines think some
Travel our land, sky and our water
Success and suffer cross space with eachother
William wonder, what will he do...

..call a friend or just pray for the best

PS. Inspired by my piece, Digital Hearts
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All rights Reserved©
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By: Marten Schoonman
martenschoonman.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/mato74

Over-dramatization of Poetry performance in Kenyan schools

2009-10-15T13:30:00.001+03:00

The photo of Graham Nduko Osoro, a student of Friends School Kamusinga in todays(15th Oct,09) Daily Nation, page 8 on his knees on the grass in the name of a poetry solo verse made me cringe with embarrassment.

It is an all too familiar image that seems to become the norm during every year's Drama Festivals in Kenya(those from other countries, is this the same experience?) This pleading, down on the ground teary image reminded me of why so many young people in schools still hate poetry, yet, Nairobi is now awash with poetry venues and is becoming very popular with the same young people who have to be painfully weaned off this over dramatization, over gesticulation and over shouting to a performance that is in tune with the times.

Stephen Partington, a teacher and published poet whose poems appear weekly in The East African made these comments on the Kenyan-poetry-catalyst google group,

"Now, he's undoubtedly a charming young man, but the photo of 'Graham Nduko Osoro' on p8 of today's Nation is further argument in favour of banning poetry in Kenyan schools.

Poor boy looks like he's squeezing out his post-Visiting Day constipation. And how did his legs sink so deeply into the ground?"

This is what I wrote in response to his email

What do we need to do to change the way students are taught performance poetry in schools, starting with these teachers. That is why most students come out with a very negative attitude towards poetry only to discover that its not the way they were taught.

This is over-dramatization at its worst!! and he was made to do that!
Can I get a sponsor to get some 10 more poets and do an awareness campaign in various schools on the 21st style of poetry performance?

Kevin Waithaka, a poet in the group also commented on this phenomenon by saying,

Just checked it out and I can't help but agree...The enthusiasim is there(definitely!)and I guess the passion in art is more important than most other things because if you have that the rest can follow.I feel that all he needs is someone to show them. I was of the same mind wangari,so feel free to call on me if you need a hand(or a poet...)"

It is about time that Kenyan schools desisted from portraying poetry as drab. Instead, let students know that poetry has grown and is still growing not only in form but also in style and appeal.

PEN Kenya Poetry Night, 15th Oct, 09

2009-10-14T15:58:00.000+03:00

Tomorrow, Thursday October 15, 2009, at 6:30 pm, PEN KENYA returns to Wasanii Restaurant at the Kenya National Theatre where it first hosted Shailja's Migritude II performance. This time, they will be with a galaxy of performing poets, among them those who performed at the launch of Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong'o's latest book, those who have won Slum Africa poetry extravaganza, those who have graced the Kwani open mic as guest poets, poets who light the vibrant Nairobi literary scene in their fassion and manner.

PEN and Wasanii are playing the host by providing a platform to diverse voices.

NB. There will be surprises, don't miss

Chimamanda Adichie at TED 2009; The danger of telling a single story

2009-10-08T10:20:00.000+03:00

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian Female writer whose 1st book Purple Hibiscus won the Best First Book award in the 2005 Commonwealth Writers' Prize and Half of a Yellow Sun, her 2nd book was awarded the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction was at the TED 2009 Global Talk in England.
She gave a talk on the danger of telling a single by drawing into her own story of growing up and eventually becoming a writer.
I hope It will inspire you as it did me on the importance of telling our many stories.

‘Mo Faya’ The Musical - A Review of the Show at the New York Musical Theatre Festival

2009-10-06T16:23:00.000+03:00

Reviewed by Margaretta wa Gacheru

“They call it a slum. We call it home.”
[The slogan on the back of each miniature Kenyan flag placed on every single seat of the TRG Theater in Manhattan before all six shows staged during the New York Musical Festival]

Mo Faya is a Kenyan masterpiece and Eric Wainaina-- the show’s composer, lyricist, script writer and delectable DJ Luanda around whom the show’s storyline revolves-- is a genius.

But then, one more mark of genius is knowing how to surround yourself with brilliant partners, and Wainaina has done just that: first by making his mate Sheba Hirst the show’s producer and John Sibi-Okumu his super-fine director, and then assembling an incredible cast, including award-winning actors and singers like Peter King and Mumbi Kaigwa, Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda and Valerie Kimani, as well as a marvelous Kenyan band that features Marvin Maveke, Emmanuel Mkuwa, Isaac Mugunda and Patrick Nanjero.

It didn’t hurt that Wainaina also got Safaricom to sponsor the full cast, band and crew’s going to the New York Musical Festival where Mo Faya opened in its world premier September 29 and ran six times in a global showcase that features a score of original world class new productions, most of which came from the US, but at least three came from the South: from Kenya, South Korea and Mexico! Mo Faya will also give one final American performance organized at Bard College by Binyavanga Wainaina, before the cast comes back to Kenya to open in this not-to-be-missed musical production at the GoDown for several shows.

Set in the “slum” shanty town of Kwa Maji, the stars of Mo Faya are all slum dwellers, apart from villainess Anna Mali (Mumbi Kaigwa) whose NGO, called C.U.R.E, aims at the kind of “urban renewal” that Kenyans have seen when local slums have gone up in smoke and sites like Muroto have been razed to make way for sky-scrapers and high rises where poor people won’t be welcomed at all.

Writing in the same satirical vein as a Wahome Mutahi or a Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who both used humour, irony and satire to expose the corruption and contradictions in Kenyan society today, Wainaina similarly doesn’t shy away from talking about hot topics, like land grabbing, lust and dirty linkages between corrupt politicians, cops and even members of the non-governmental community.

Yet the show doesn’t just focus on corruption [although as an expose of the inner workings of Kenya’s corrupt power elite, Mo Faya may make some local politicians feel quite uncomfortable.] On the contrary, the star of the show in a sense is ‘the slum’ Kwa Maji itself – and the everyday lives of the people who reside therein.

Capturing the creativity, dynamism and vitality of those poor people’s lives through pop music [including reggae and Kenyanized hip hop] and well choreographed dance, Mo Faya shows the centrality of local FM radio in the lives of people who may not afford dish satellite or downtown cinema shows, but who love to laugh and be entertained artistically nonetheless.

Yet the exploitative spirit of both governmental and non-governmental politicians is never far from the lead storyline, since even the beautiful sense of community that these poor people share is corruptible in the scheming land-grabber’s mind. In fact, when the self-proclaimed “Total Woman” Anna Mali aims to destroy the people’s sense of solidarity prior to her pushing them off the land they call home, she goes after the people’s hero, DJ Luanda.

Tempting him to leave community radio for “Big City radio” with its fatter salary and higher public profile, DJ Luanda sadly takes the bait. But his departure signals a weakening of the people’s sense of social cohesion and solidarity, something Luanda has previously embodied for them.

Anna Mali’s partner in crime, the mungiki-like-monster Mkwajo [played masterly by Peter King], proceeds to sow the seeds of terror in Kwa Maji with a slew of mysterious murders, all part of Mali’s malevolent master plan to make over the slum into an up-market income generator for her and her corrupt colleagues, including the police chief (Joshua Mwai) and the politician (Daniel Mwashigadi).

I won’t tell you how the story ends since Kenyans will have to see the show for themselves, and I won’t be the spoiler who gives the ending away. But I will say the script is brilliant and the casting superb.

One genuine stroke of genius that I credit Wainaina with is the ensemble nature of this show. It’s as if his cast were a jazz band, wherein every instrument, every cast member, has his or her moment to showcase her/his talent, be it as a dancer, a singer, and more often than not, as both!!

Sibi-Okumu undoubtedly had something to do with enhancing the ensemble-aspect of the show, since he worked hand in hand with Wainaina and the cast for weeks before heading to New York, honing the script down to a manageable size and form. And as for the cast, I can’t speak about every single member although everyone, especially Valerie Kimani, DJ Luanda’s sweetheart, has an especially important role to play in this multi-layered modern day morality musical. The other cast member who holds the show together with finesse, charm and style is the Professor, played by Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda, since he not only takes the time at the outset of the show to artfully introduce every Kwa Maji community member; he also steps in at pivotal moments to provide the continuity required, especially for audiences who may not speak Kiswahili, meanwhile about a third of the show is conveyed in it

Relying on a minimalist set design and ordinary street clothes and kitengis for costumes, it is the music of Mo Faya that makes the show so distinctively Kenyan [the music and of course, the dancing that goes so rhythmically with it]. For however much critics may claim that Kenyan music is ersatz African American, Wainaina proves that Kenyan culture and creativity is no copy cat.

The show makes a powerful statement about the ills Kenyan society faces. But it also reveals the rich resiliency and resourcefulness of the people. What Wainaina didn’t provide was a solution to Kenya’s political plight and moral malaise. But his ending is provocative and somehow hopeful.

What is most marvelous about this show is that Kenyans will have an opportunity to see Mo Faya themselves when it returns home and premiers in November on the Kenyan stage.

For more details on the New York Musical Theater Festival, visit www.nymf.org.

David Garibaldi - Pop Art that Exudes Rhythm, Color, Culture and Energy

2009-09-30T09:45:00.001+03:00

As I was surfing through my fav soul site, honeysoul, I came across this podcast blog by Keith Mac. It is through Keith that I discovered Garibaldi.

Rhythm, Color, Culture, Energy; These Four words describe the experience viewing the creations of world renowned Artist David Garibaldi.

Born in Los Angeles in 1982, Garibaldi began creating at a young age. After relocating and growing up in Sacramento, it was not until high school, after walking away from a life of graffiti in the streets, that he turned his influences of hip hop culture into a positive direction. Unfortunately by then, it was too late to make up lost time in school, and he could not graduate. A season of hard times to come could not shake the drive of this young artist from pursuing his dreams.

STUDIO:
In 2003, David Garibaldi began to turn his illustrations on paper into paintings on canvas. Garibaldi would paint live at urban jazz sessions, nightclubs, and hip hop events for direct influence by the music, and he began to create a buzz about his work along the way.

STUDIO to the STAGE:
In 2003 Garibaldi was at a friends home and across the room hung an original Jimi Hendrix painting by performance artist Denny Dent. The painting was wildly splashed together with paint like most of Dents works. Without seeing a single video or photos of Denny Dent in action, even years after, David was inspired to create.

Dent was the first and only “Rock and Roll Painter”. Dent unarguably engaged his audiences while he created. Commanding hundreds to hundreds of thousands with his “Two Fisted Art Attack”. There will never be anyone like Dent, but other artist’s have been inspired in some way and are taking the art form to new generations, multimedia platforms, and more. Some notable artists include Brian Olsen, Michael Israel, Jean Francoise Detaille, Michael Ostaski, and Dan Dunn.

As Garibaldi has developed his performance pop art show over the years, he credits Denny Dent for not only inspiring himself, but generations before and after.

It was the defining moment of Garibaldi’s background in graffiti, hip hop dancing, playing music, painting live, and then seeing the work of Denny Dent that lead David to create a live stage show he describes and calls “Rhythm and Hue”

STAGE:
Rhythm and Hue is a performance art show where artist David Garibaldi creates 6 foot portraits of pop icons in in under 7 minutes to music. Garibaldi’s unique show is extremely versatile and has been featured with celebrities like Carlos Santana; utilized by Fortune 500 companies like AT&T, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities, and used as a platform to motivate students and employees of various organizations.

Garibaldi has recently been featured as an opening act for the Blue Man Group during the Canadian leg of their How To Be A Megastar World Tour.

Garibaldi’s Rhythm and Hue is much more than a performance art, and paint flailing presentation; it is an inspirational experience as well. Garibaldi tells the story of how he was living the life of a graffiti rebel until a high school teacher challenged him to make his art more purposeful. He shares his personal struggles and triumphs that helped to shape him into a world-renowned painter and performer in the studio and on the stage.

The foundation of Garibaldi’s message is simple: Live your life as a platform, and live with passion and purpose.

STUDIO & STAGE:
Much like a musician, David Garibaldi will continue to create his paintings in the studio, and hit the road to captivate audiences around the world.

Garibaldi has recently signed deals to become an official licensed artist with the Elvis Presely Enterprises, Disney, Bob Marley Estate, Jimi Hendrix Estate, and other celebrity estates.

Whether Garibaldi is in the studio, or on stage, he is Rhythm, Color, Culture, Energy.

To learn more about Garibaldi and his art visit www.garibaldiarts.com.

Exhibition Openings and Art Auction at RaMoMa from 7th Oct

2009-09-29T15:37:00.000+03:00

RaMoMA – Museum of Modern Art

invites you to

the opening of the following exhibitions

on 7th October 2009 from 6pm

(special opening for Moyra Earnshaw on Sunday 11th Oct from 11am - 1.30pm)

The exhibitions close on 29th October 2009

ValDor Gallery - The Tarot - Moyra Earnshaw

The cards found me many years ago and I have been fascinated ever since by the richness of their imagery. I decided to paint the Major Trumps or Arcana, not to redesign them but through them to embark on the age old quest of the hero which appears in every culture under the guise of myth and legend. Each of these twenty two cards describes a stage in the journey of life which is crucial in some way to expanding self awareness. I have painted my response to the riddle in each card sometimes in an abstract way and sometimes figuratively. For me the cards are an inexhaustible source of inspiration for art and life.

Dodhia Gallery - Shine Tani
Shine prides himself as a self taught artist and a founding member of the Banana Hill Art Studio, which he directs today.
In the upcoming exhibition, Shine is confronting politics and the messy result it has created in Kenya in the last two years. He views himself as a recorder of information or an archivist. He says until this information is documented for future generations, then that generation will never know or understand it’s genesis. Like a preacher, there may be only one theme in the message but one has to project it in many varying ways until the message is passed on.
Shine has his work in many collections and publications.

Rahimtulla Gallery - Camille Wekesa
Camille Wekesa works primarily as a mural artist but has always enjoyed landscape painting of Kenya's stunning and varied scenery. These paintings have been inspired by several safaris since her return from London in November last year. She visited the desolate and beautiful Shaba national reserve for the first time, travelled up to Western Kenya amongst the lush farmlands and then up towards Tsavo East with its dry scratchy bushland and verdant green vegetation along the river banks.

Ford Room Gallery - Kenya Quilt Guild
Inspired by quilters in South Carolina, USA, and with their permission, the Kenya Quilt Guild Members have created an exhibition of “Artful Bras”. This consists of over 50 original works of art which are amusing, humorous and beautiful. The aim is to make the public aware of the Breast Cancer, to re-memorise those who have lost their lives to the disease and honour survivors.

RaMoMA is open 7 days a week 9:30am - 4:30pm
open on Saturdays till 6:00pm, closed on public holidays

Lunchtime talk by

Peter Elungat

Thursday 1st October 2009

At RaMoMA, 2nd Parklands Avenue

From 12.30 – 2.15pm

Program: Peter will talk about his work and a light lunch will follow from Café Tasse, RaMoMA
Kshs 1500 per person (ADVANCE BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL as space is limited: oneoff@africaonline.co.ke)
Ticket price includes Vegetable Quiche with Salad or Quiche Lorraine with salad, a bottle of mineral water and either tea or coffee.

7.30pm - Dress to impress - Tickets 3000/- each
Imagine sitting down in RaMoMA's Dodhia gallery to a fabulous Baroque style dinner
followed by an entertaining art auction, the proceeds of which will support
Kenyan art and artists through RaMoMA.

The gallery will be candle lit, the music will be by Vivaldi and his contempories , the dinner will be a 3-course extravaganza enjoyed at a beautifully decorated table with specially blown glassware courtesy of Kitengela Glass. The food, specially made by a renowned International chef in conjunction with Cafe Tasse, will be plated and plattered to ensure maximum enjoyment with the minimum of effort.
Auction of eleven paintings by Kenya's best known artists including: Patrick Mukabi, Mary Collis, Peter Ngugi, Peter Elungat, Kamal Shah, Tim Brooke and Samuel Githui
Write to RaMoMa - ramoma@africaonline.co.ke

An Artist's Day at the Murumbi Peace Memorial on 25th Oct 09'- A celebration of E.Africa's most Famous Sculptors

2009-09-29T15:03:00.000+03:00

On March 29th, 2009, the Murumbi Peace Memorial was opened at the Nairobi City Park. It encloses the graves of Joseph and Sheila Murumbi as well as a sculpture garden created by artists who were close to the couple (see map above).

On October 25th, 2009, the artists whose works are on display at the Murumbi Peace Memorial will gather there to show and view their works at 11 a.m. After a brief opening ceremony, guests are invited to view additional works by these artists at the reception area of the National Museums of Kenya.

Joseph and Sheila Murumbi were among Africa’s greatest collectors, at the forefront of preserving and protecting African culture. Joseph Murumbi was the first Foreign Minister of Kenya and the country’s second Vice President. He is remembered as a politician of honour, who abhorred corruption.

He resigned as Vice President in l966, less than a year after his appointment, largely due to the assassination of his friend and mentor, Pio Gama Pinto (who is buried nearby Murumbi’s grave in the old cemetery in Nairobi City Park). Murumbi’s departure from the government set the country on a very different course. He then devoted his time to collecting books and art. In 1972, Murumbi and his
wife co-founded African Heritage Pan African Galleries with Alan Donovan.

The Murumbi Peace Memorial is one of the few places in Nairobi where sculptures by leading
sculptors of the continent may be viewed in an open space. The Nairobi City Park provides a
magnificent backdrop for them. The Artist’s Day on October 25 will celebrate all artists and their
works, but especially the pioneer sculptors whose works are displayed at the Murumbi Peace Memorial:

Read a profile of some of the artists who will be exhibiting their works here.

Mstari Wa Nne trio to take part in Ignite Poets: Two Nations, One Flame show on Oct 7 at Alliance Francaise

2009-09-28T09:31:00.002+03:00

Mstari Wa Nne's Njeri Wangari, Grand Master Masese and Maik Kwambo join a talented group of musicians and poets, for the Ignite Poets: Two Nations, One Flame will draw attention to important issues facing Kenyans today.
In the first every Ignite poets performance in Nairobi, the show will be on the 7th October '09 at the Alliance Francaise, Nairobi starting from 6:30pm. Charges are Kshs 300

The Founder and president of Ignite Poets, Sheniz Janmohamed will be there for the inaugural ignite poets Kenya show.

The performance lineup includes:

Mstari Wa Nne
Pepe Haze

Walter Keyombe

Muki Garang

The girls of the Hawkers Market Girls Centre

Funds will be donated to The Hawkers Market Girls Centre(located in the largest slum of Africa, Kibera), a school that offers vocational training for girls who are looking for a better way of life.

To find out more about the Centre, visit their website

The Poems I performed at the Oliver Mtukudzi show at Club Afrique, 26th Sept09

2009-09-28T09:00:00.000+03:00

The show was superb full of energy and full to capacity. As I had mentioned here, I was one of the two privileged poets who had been invited to perform during the 'Tuku' Show at Club Afrique.

I will be giving a more detailed review later. For now, I'd like those who missed my performance to know the 6 poems that I performed. I did a mix of new and old Poems, some of which have been posted here already and some 2 new ones that I wrote specifically for the show whose theme was on Gender Inequality. The poems were; Low Moments, The paths we took, Fading Faces, Women Behaving Badly, Marriage and What is to be a Man?

In the haste of making it to the venue in time for soundcheck all the way from Mt. Kenya region where I had another function, I forgot to carry a camera. I have to wait for 3rd parties for some footage of the event. In other words, sorry no pictures till otherwise posted. If anyone took, please share.

Poem: Low Moments

2009-09-28T08:29:00.000+03:00

Were tears a flute playing sad tunes,
my eyes would be the masters hand

Were fears a futile play of sweet song,
my hands would be reeds against wind

Were cares a feeling of great guilt,
my heart would be a caged bird

Were dares a repeat of failure,
My mind would be a bootstrap

Were scares a fling of terrified emotions
my skin would be horrifying music

Were prayers a fruitless attempt at faith
my mouth would be a fallen saint
--------------------------------------------------
Njeri Wangari
All rights Reserved©
njeriwangari(at)gmail(dot)com
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Poem: The paths we Took

2009-09-28T08:21:00.000+03:00

Part 1.
They told me it was about time
They said it was time
My mother and her mother
And I knew
This would be the end of me

For I would die
Sacrifice my womanhood
To the altar of a blunt meat knife
I would die

Watch my wells of pleasures
Flow to the cracked ground
that licked my heels with thirst
I would die

leave me longing for
What would forever be
Only a distant land
I would hear of
yet never set foot in
I would die.

Allow them to deny me
The power to choose
To become a real woman
And keep my husband true
Like real women do
I would die.

Part 2.
He told them it was about time
He said it was time
He was ready.

My brother
And my father beamed with glee

With barely a somersault in his voice
The baby face was ready to become a man
Already visualizing the Canaan that lay in wait

He could not wait
To move from the bedroom he shared
To address me like his father
Nyukwa Eha?
Couldn’t wait
To sit in the wise counsel of leaders
And not in the kitchen like a sissy
He could not wait

This would be the start of him
To walk like a stallion
And be the lion, his father was.

The day of our destiny, finally came
He walked his path like a warrior to battle
I was dragged to mine like a captive in a lost war!
--------------------------------------------------
Njeri Wangari
All rights Reserved©
njeriwangari(at)gmail(dot)com
Sept 09’
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Poem: Marriage

2009-09-28T08:17:00.000+03:00

If marriage is like death,

then I want to be cremated.

For I look at myself then and now

and I

cannot recognize me.

--------------------------------------------------

Njeri Wangari

njeriwangari(at)gmail(dot)com

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WAPI live at the Sarakasi Dome Ngara, 26th Sept 09'

2009-09-25T08:29:00.000+03:00

PRESENTS

MC: POINT BLANK

Performances by

Jemedari, Jefro, Richy Rich, Rabbit, MC Sharon, Nuru Bahati, Sarakasi Dancers and DJ Zaq and much more

LIVE @ Sarakasi Dome, Ngara Road, Ngara, Nairobi

Saturday, September 26th, 2009, 9am-3pm

OPEN MIC: 1pm

LADIES & GENTS- Free Entry

HIP-HOP-POETRY- SPOKEN WORD -- B-BOYING - GRAFFITI - ILLASSTRATION - CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP - SELF ELEVATION- STREET LINGUISTICS- FASHION- BUSINESS NETWORKING

NEXT WAPI: SATURDAY OCTOBER 24th 2009

At Sarakasi Dome, Ngara

Spread Only Love & Positivity, NOT War & Negativity

Legenday Oliver Mtukudzi Live in Nairobi, 26th Sept 09' at Club Afrique

2009-09-23T08:36:00.000+03:00

LEGENDARY OLIVER MTUKUDZI LIVE

PERFORMANCES BY MUTHONI & MAKADEM.
AFRICAN SPOKEN WORD POETRY
BY KENNET B & NJERI WANGARI

LIVE @ CLUB AFRIQUE, MUSEUM HILL, NAIROBI

8.30pm, Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Entry: Fee; 1,000

Limited Tickets Available

FOR TICKET BOOKINGS CALL: 0720 236 954

For More Info Go To www.facebook.com/SparkAfrica

What is Good Hair? - The Big African Woman Debate

2009-09-17T11:16:00.002+03:00

What is Good hair?
This is a question that I will pose to every African Woman and man. I seem to have reached my nirvana with hair the day that I decide to go natural. It was a culmination of both an end to the suffering of burns from chemical relaxers, painful scalp from all the pulling and a sort of self realization that I loved myself as I am and did not need to have straight hair to look acceptable.(The song I am not my hair comes to mind by India Arie)

I do not know if there are any studies that have been done on what percentage of Kenyan Women still have their natural hair and those who have either relaxed(permed) or have weaves/wigs on but a spot check on the streets of Nairobi can give you a clue as to what the numbers are. Actually, I think Nairobi has more salons than it has pubs and there is none that lacks customers.
The hair and cosmetic industry is a multi-million dollar one especially in Africa because almost 90% of African Women relax their hair or wear wigs.
I have never been a fan of weaves and I am sure many men will concur with me(though they wouldn't be caught dead saying it to their women). It is a debate that always ends up being nasty anytime I pick it up with my lady friends.
A similar debate became a nationwide discussion in the US as Chris Rock set out to find out What is Good hair? -A documentary that he has been researching on for 2 years.
The same elicited a huge confrontation on Tyra Banks' self titled show part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 and Part 5 a show that gave a feel of the real problem that African American women face with their hair, a problem that seems to be an underlying facade of a bigger problem of perception. and to some extent, inferiority.

In his documentary, CK notes that the idea was about by his daughter who kept telling him that she does not have good hair coz its nappy and curly and not straight and soft.

The documentary features one of my favourite poets, Maya Angelou and a host of other African American celebrities who confess to wearing weaves alot and not being comfortable with their natural hair.
Chris also reveals that most of the weaves are made from Indian Hair as India is the highest exporter of human hair.
The comic docu is to be released in select cities on October 9. but previews and info about it can be found here

My Hair

My hair is my air

Feel the flair

as you stare

its beauty a snare

Long hair is rare

in my country Zaire

but no one is aware

when I glare my horse hair

God was not fair

giving Indians more than their fair share

leaving me to despair.

this is no funfair

my short hair to forebear

I looked elsewhere with my prayer

Thank Buddha for human hair

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Njeri Wangare

kenyanpoet@gmail.com

Sept. 2009

What are your thoughts on this hair debate?

Whispers Book Den - A new Haven for book Lovers

2009-09-15T18:31:00.001+03:00

There's a new book spot in town! Whispers Book Den.
The idea was born by none other than Wahome(Whispers) Mutahi's daughter, Eva Wanjugu aka 'Investment' and my good friend Treza Kinoru. The two came up with the idea earlier this year and decided to enroll in the 'Chora Bizna' competition that was being run by the Kenyan Government with the support of various local and international institutions. Their idea of a Fine Art & Performing Arts Business bore what now has become the newest haven for book lovers in Nairobi.

The place which opened its doors just a few weeks ago is on the ground floor apartment of the Chiromo Court building on Waiyaki Way and honestly, it took my breath away!

I had earlier on tried visiting the place when it was still being set up but found myself in the next building(Eden Square) with no one having a clue of what I was looking for (I blame TK for wrong directions). I finally found the place last Friday afternoon(Thanks to a meeting in Westlands that ended just before lunchtime). It is slightly hidden though, as one would have to walk past the main reception and into the inner court(indoor parking) to see the rusty wrought iron round piece of fantastic metalwork that is the signage. It reminded me of a Kenyan fine Artist, Bertiers(might feature him here soon)

Eva was at the outside patio enjoying the bright afternoon radiance and local gossip from one of the dailies looking lovely as ever. I remember the first time I saw her with Treza, I actually thought its the sister,needless to say, I totally embarrassed myself when I said that(I had read about her in the dads column but never saw her in person)
She ushered us into the den(was hoping it would be underground and have the creepiness that the name den evokes- well!) The place has the ambiance alright. From the cosy sofa facing the shelves, the menlike CDs racks made from wrought iron to the bar like setting of High seats (Sina Taabus as they are referred to) the place reeked of sophistication, coolness bordering on eccentricity. A feeling that I would say is synonymous with the current generation of Kenyan writers.

And if the ambiance does not do it for you, then the collection of books certainly will. I saw books that I never imagined existed, Poetry anthologies, all the celebrated African Writers, name it. Upon inquiring on the vast collection, I was informed that all the books were from Whisper's private collection that he accumulated over the years. You can tell that the man was serious about his literature. The two ladies have also partnered with various publishers to resell their books in the shop section as well as with Sound Africa for a catalogue of some of the best sounds coming from Kenya and Africa.
The Whispers Book Den has 4 different settings for its guests; the main room or library, A room for silent reading that has been partitioned into small cubicles complete with lockers,a kids reading room and the outside garden which is soon to be turned into a platform for book reading, performances and poetry readings(you can trust I am looking forward to the latter).
What I found most creative is the types of membership available. They have the categories based on Whispers fictional characters namely; Appep (4,500 - 5books) Thatcher( Ksh. 3,500 - 4 books), Whispers Junior( 2,500 - 3 books) Pajero(Ksh. 1,500 - 2 books) Whizz Kids(Ksh. 1,000 - 2 Children's books) and Investment (Ksh. 10,000- 10 Books, Internet Access, 1 child free membership and 15% on books purchased)
The Fine art bit has not been left out as they have portrait drawings by Boyd of famous Kenyan and World faces.
There is alot that the new place hasn't put in place e.g some piped music, coffee and snacks for sale but as Eva told me, all this is in the works.
I urge you to pay the place a visit one of these days as this is one place that is sure to take reading to a whole new level. I will definitely be signing up soon as there are books there I can't wait to read.

Photos courtesy of Vic N.- ua phone came in handy

Jukwaani! A Festival of Performance Literature 17th - 20th Sept 09 Goethe Institut, Nairobi

2009-09-14T08:53:00.000+03:00

* JUKWAANI! *

* A FESTIVAL FOR PERFORMANCE LITERATURE *

* THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2009 TO SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2009 *

* FESTIVAL OPENING: THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2009 - 6 PM *

* GOETHE-INSTITUT NAIROBI *

* MONROVIA STREET *

* NAIROBI *

* ENTRY FREE *

Goethe-Institut and Alliance Française come together again, in another joint initiative supported by the special fund for cultural projects, established by the French and Germany Ministries of Foreign Affairs created on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty. Following the visual arts project, Contemporary Art in Kenya juried competition/exhibition in 2006, This partnership centers around a festival for literature as stage performance.

In Africa, literature traditionally has always been performance, inseparably intertwined with music and dance, before an audience. In Europe, this connection gradually disappeared, but has recently experienced a rebirth, by the circuitous route through youth culture word-art, through Rap and Slam Poetry. Jukwaani! brings all forms and scenes of performance literature together for four days: From the high culture Swahili literature to Poetry Slam, from Swahili free style to indigenous Story Telling, from the Nairobi poets to Rap. Featuring Abdilatif Abdalla, Ahmad Nassir, Sheikh Ahmed Nabhany, the German Slammer Dalibor Markovic, Talking Drums of Africa, Tony Smitta Mochama, Juliani, Rapcha the Sayantist, Johny of Span Wan, Ukoo Flani, Zamaleo among others.
The festival is held in conjunction with the conference "Swahili poetry in performance“ organized by Bordeaux and Bayreuth universities and IFRA, Venue: IFRA-BIEA, Laikipia Rd. Kileleshwa.

In association with the Kenya Cultural Center

Kenyan Arts' Dependency on Donor Funding; An Interview at Kenya National Theatre

2009-09-08T10:00:00.000+03:00

A little over two weeks ago, I met with Margaretta at the Kenya National Theatre in a bid to continue the discussion we had started at Paa ya Paa during Elimo Njau's birthday party.

Although this blog started out as a space to publish my poetry, with time it has grown to a Kenyan artistic space where all forms of art from Kenya and sometimes beyond, is featured.
As you will note, the mainstream media has been reducing their coverage of art especially Fine art, not because there are no stories to be written about anymore, but rather, a shift in focus. Suddenly we are seeing alot more entertainment and 'celebridom'. But like a river, somethings still find their way.

This was among the many things that I discussed with Margaretta in what had started as an interview albeit with some discussions.
The clip interview though slightly lengthy give one alot of insights into Margaretta the person, her passion for writing about the arts and her views on the dependency of Kenyan Art on International Donors prompting the quote "Donors often leave artists worse than they found them"
My Interview with Wa Gacheru (in MP3 format)

PS. I carried out the interview at the Wasanii Restaurant in the Kenya National Theatre. It seemed a great idea as it was to be a meeting but then I thought, what better way to introduce Wa Gacheru than interview her about who she is and about her writing. What I didn't factor in was the conversations from the other tables and so, you might hear some murmuring and a few outbursts in the background.