Month: November 2012

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!

For the French, wine is an art. But one Beaujolais Nouveau wine carnival has evolved into a 30-year-old global sport. “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!” – the new Beaujolais has arrived! – is a common proclamation this time of year all over France. It marks the arrival of bottles of wine from the Beaujolais area to towns and cities around the world. The excitement is not about the flavour, but the race to go (in a few weeks) from crushed grapes to clinking wine glasses, and cheerful, hearty toasts of “Santé!”.

It’s a global carnival celebrating wine that is fresh off the vines. Wine snobs, this one is not for you: the very light taste of this purplish wine (closer to a white wine than red) that is meant to be drunk fast and chilled (instead of the classic slowly-sipped, room-temperature red wine). But Beaujolais continues to be a tradition with the French all around the world. And true, the race from grape to glass may be a little silly, but the fun is knowing that on the same night, in homes, cafes, restaurants, pubs/bars all around the world, the same celebration is taking place.

The third Thursday of November at midnight always marks the start of the carnival of Beaujolais worldwide. This year, Alliance Française is teaming up with the Jardin de Paris restaurant to bring you the new wine of the harvest. An evening of wine drinking, accompanied with gourmet food and dance music by DJ Babs and live music by singer Brigitte Rakotomalala for ambience. This evening promises to be a feast for the senses.

The event in Nairobi is being marked on Saturday (24th November) from 7.30 p.m at the Alliance Française.

There are two types of packages available:

1. Formule Gourmet – sh 2000: 2 glasses of Beaujolais Nouveau, a large platter of assorted cheese, an assortment of French delicatessen & dessert for two.
2. Formule découverte – sh 900: 1 glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, and assortment of French delicatessen.

Tickets to the event are being sold in advance. Bookings can be done on the following numbers :  +254 (020) 340054/79 or +254 (0) 727 600 622. 

 

What better excuse do you need to have an evening of indulging in lots of wine?

The third edition of The Slum Theatre Festival! is here.

The festival was founded by Stephan Bruckmeier, Hope Theatre, Slum-TV and Wayo Wayo. Ittakes place annually at the German Cultural Centre (Goethe Institute) in co-operation with Kenya Arts Projects, the Austrian Embassy, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture of Austria and the Goethe-Institute Kenya.

This year the opening night (Friday 23rd November) of this one-of-a-kind festival will feature the launch of interview and photo book, “Meeting Nairobi”. The book portrays a multi-faceted kaleidoscope of the day-to-day life in Nairobi. The evening will be attended by H.E. the Ambassador of Austria Christian Hasenbichler and the Patron of the People’s Center Nairobi Mr. Philip Kisia. 

On the 24th, (Saturday) 20 groups from different slum areas will present their shows at the Kenya National Theatre. They will showcase the quality artistic individuality and social maturity that is emerging from the slums of Nairobi.

The free-entrance festival opens tomorrow night at the Goethe-Institute tomorrow night at 6:00 pm.

 

The Carnival 2012 is set to be the biggest event to ever happen in Kenya thus far, with international artists like Demarco, MIMS and Jeremih scheduled to perform alongside local stars on the 23rd of December.

The epic pre-party for this event went down at the Black Cotton a week ago and as you can see from the photos below, it was off the hook.

This is just a taste of what will be happening at the Carnival 2012. Observe carefully.

This December
Two Sound Setups
Video Mixxes/Laser Lights
One Venue
Details Coming Soon

A poster and event invitation with the following words was all we had to go on when it first appeared. It can now be confirmed that it’s part of the The Clash, an event that features multiple parties at the same venues with different DJs playing hits from different genres.

The title of the event has still not been explained. The poster suggests that it might be a battle of the sexes this time. A female DJ taking on a male DJ? Or maybe a live sex show? Let’s wait for December 1st (most likely at the traditional venue, Secrets Lounge) and find out what the It’s All About Sex event is all about.

This December, J Starz Entertainment brings you the best of Rhumba you have ever seen.

Homeboyz’ The Code DJs alongside DJ Vickie will be taking you through this Rhumba Nite that is scheduled for the 12th of December 2012.

The event will be held at Club Tingiza from 6PM till dawn.

There will be a variety of African dishes available all through the night.

Entry goes for Sh.100 at the gate and Sh.500 for the V.I.P access.

Bugika Entertainment brings you The House Party this Saturday, November 24th at Tortilas Black Rose from 4:00 p.m. till late.

The atmosphere is created to make you feel like you are in a house party, a classy one. This edition of the event is ’90s-themed and take you back with best hits from the era.

Come out, kick back and go way back with music by DJ Bash. And the best part about the whole deal, it’s free.

If there was ever any doubt about whether or not Jamaican star, Jah Cure will be performing in Kenya this December, it is now time to drop it.

Jah Cure has just made it official by confirming to the Kenyan massive and the whole world that he will be touching Kenyan ground next weekend.

“Kenya I’m coming next weekend,” he tweeted early this morning.

What excitement this build in me and all reggae fanatics and crazies. To hear this from the King Man himself and not the promoters, is confirmation enough that he will indeed quench our musical thirst.

Now, to just keep it together until the 1st of December. Oh, what a task!

Pressplay.co.ke appears to be officially dead, after the website has been unavailable for several weeks now. When you go to the domain, you are hit with a “parking page” which is what users see when a website has not paid its hosting fees(usually around 1000KShs. per year).

Pressplay was an entertainment website launched last year(2011). They quickly gained fame for raunchy lists, such as ‘The 10 Most Bangable Dudes/Chics in Kenya.’ It was owned by one Willy Omundo. Attempts to reach him proved futile.

RIP Pressplay.

It is now official that December will see the biggest event go down in Kenya, bringing over some of the top international artistes to perform.

It is non other than the Carnival 2012 which will be happening at the Kasarani Stadium on the 23rd of December. With the theme ‘Be A Part Of Something Bigger’, there is no doubt that this will go down as the biggest event Kenya has ever seen so far, with the highest number of international artistes performing on one stage.

Carnival 2012 is an international festival that will feature acts from all over the world, as well as local stars. Among the international artistes to perform at the carnival 2012 are MIMS, Jeremih and Jamaica’s Demarco just to mention a few.

Just like a Carnival should be, the event kicks off at 12PM and goes on till around 3AM.

This is one of those events you don’t get to see often. You miss this, you will have to wait a pretty long while before you get another chance to see something like this again.

Ticket details will be out soon.

There’s a new exclusive club in town, and one of its aims is to celebrate African talent with premium African beer. As earlier reported, they had pledged to bring yet another international artiste to Kenya.

And it’s finally here. The second Tusker Malt 100 Club event. Zonke Dikana, the headlining performer, was excited to be in the country. The South African singing sensation announced earlier through her facebook page that she was in Nairobi, taking over Africa, ready and excited to perform.

 

The award winning songstress (Metro FM Award for the best R&B song in 2004, Channel O Best Video Award in 2005) will charm TML100 Club members with her music at the event this evening. It is being held at the Nairobi Arboretum, beginning from 6.00pm.

 

Zonke is well known for her distinctive style of music: predominantly laid back, with a soulful vibe, and hints of acid jazz. Also she is well known for recording live played in-studio (a rarity nowadays), and having a commanding and powerful stage presence, with a voice that does not disappoint.

 

Her current album, which she is working on, is said to be titled ‘Life, Love n Music’. Zonke is well known for her hit song “Feelings” and her 2012 chart topper “Jik’Izinto”.

Here’s a little sample of whats in store this evening: one of her biggest hits “Jik’Izinto”. 

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Fresh off the release of his new video, which is his best yet, Rabbit a.k.a Kaka Sungura will be performing at the Leavers Bash Tour.

The Qfm-sponsored event will be held on 23rd November at Club Secrets in Kisii. More entertainment will be provided by DJ Mista Qym and the MC for the night will be Ali Baba. Entry is Kshs. 200.

The Creativez Garage presents their final event of the year. Tomorrow (23rd November) in the grand finale of a year of fantastic exhibits, twenty creatives are set to showcase their works at the PAWA254 Hub (Africa Alliance of YMCAs building, State House Road).

Musical guests slated for live performances are Murfy’s fLaw, Raya, Andrew Mutua and Valentine Ziki among others.

The Immortal Media event dubbed the “Closing Day” promises great entertainment, amazing displays from all the creatives involved and a great opportunity for mad networking. On the decks at the event will be DJ Kris.

Rasna Warah, writer for the Daily Nation presents tonight

‘A pictorial tribute to Africa’s most wounded city’.

‘Mogadishu or Xamar (pronounced Hamar) as the locals call it, was once one of the prettiest, most alluring and most cosmopolitan cities in Africa, with a long history that dates back to Arab and Persian trader settlements.

It was a traditional centre for Islam and an important hub for trade along the Indian Ocean coastline. However, since the beginning of the civil war in the early 1990s, Somalia’s capital city has gained the reputation of being the most dangerous and violent city in the world.

Mogadishu Then and Now begun as a photographic exhibition that went on display in Nairobi, in June.It documented Mogadishu before and during the on-going civil war. It’s intent is to attempt to redeem the city’s damaged reputation and restore its lost glory in the public imagination and in the Somali people’s collective memory. The exhibition proved to be a great success, being attended by French Ambassador Etienne de Poncins, Somali Prime Minister, Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and the mayor of Mogadishu, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Noor.

The successful exhibition is tonight being presented as a photobook ; ‘Mogadishu Then and Now: A pictorial tribute to Africa’s most wounded city’.

Mogadishu literally means ‘The Seat of the Shah’ a testament to a beautiful and cosmopolitan city that now seems something of a distant memory. The book showcases Mogadishu in all its splendour prior to the civil war and contrasts this with the devastation and destruction that has characterised the city for more than two decades.

 

 

The exhibition and book came to fruition through the collective initiative of: Mohamud Dirios (former director of the Somali National Museums in Mogadishu, founder and executive director of the Somali Cultural and Research Center in Columbus, Ohio, USA.) Ismail Osman (telecommunications engineer, activist and journalist) and Rasna Warah (writer for the Daily Nation, photojournalist, and published author.)

 

 

The book is being launched at the Italian Institute of Culture (Grenadier Tower – 5th floor, Woodvale Grove, opposite Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands) with a talk, slide show and brief reading from one of the contributing authors Rasna Warah. The free-entrance event begins at 6:30 pm and coincides with the closing of the exhibition ‘Gates’ also showing at the institute.

This morning, Kajairo and his crew were carjacked at gunpoint on their way to a shoot for their Qtv show.

He urged the public to report to Buru Buru Police station if they happen to spot their car with the registration numbers, KBP 774U. A fan spotted the Red Raum, reported it and now it has been recovered together with all the equipment.

The comedian started off as a guest on Redykyulass and went on to become a successful spoof musician. His show, Kajairo Music Show, airs on Qtv on Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

The Pilsner Mfalme competition has brought forth some of the biggest DJs in Kenya’s entertainment scene. Now two winners of the countrywide spinning contest are going to battle it out against each other.

2008 winner, DJ Joe Mfalme and the 2011 winner, DJ Rickie Mfalme will go head to head at Pints Makuti this Friday, 23rd November. The Friday Night Fever event will see the two former winner fight it out in a battle for supremacy.

House and Afro-house fans will get a chance to indulge in the music at Inside Out which takes place on 8th December from 11:00 a.m. till late.

The electronic dance music event takes place at The Smith on Magadi Road in Ongata Rongai. Entertainment will be provided by DJ John, DJ Jack Rooster and for the first time ever, Ari the Alien.

Other than the music, fans will also enjoy nyama choma, shots, beers and get to have fun in the swimming pool for the all afternoon event. Entry is Kshs. 500.

Night club events these days have grown more enticing with their new offers that make the night all worthwhile.

This Saturday, there are a couple of events lines up, among them being the new and hot ‘First Class Saturdays’. This right here is the new hot party hosted down at Donholm at Club Bash.

The Spinmasters present to you this event that will be held each and every Saturdays starting this week.

There will be live video mixing all night with Veejay Seemo and Deejay Takeova.

The first 25 people to attend this event get free mixtapes.

Christmas comes early at Skyluxx. The Lounge & Bar has lowered its prices so that you can enjoy the festive season with cheaper drinks and freebies thrown in. Revelers can now get up to 40% off on select bottles between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Below are the new prices for the following bottles.

Johnny Walker – Red – Kshs. 3,000
Vodka Smirnoff – Kshs. 3,000
Viceroy – Kshs. 3,000
Wine – Kshs. 2,000
Amarula – Kshs. 4,000
Moet – Kshs. 12,000
Belvedere (750ml) – Kshs. 6,000
Ciroc (1l) – Kshs. 8,000
Hennessy – Kshs. 7,000

You get a free chaser with the purchase of every bottle. Entry fee is Kshs. 200 after 11:00 p.m. All night entertainment by DJ Slick and DJ Stretch.

I came across this photo that was taken along Thika Road and I just couldn’t resist to troll and share.

Seriously… look at it. Isn’t that the most disturbing image you’ve ever seen on a billboard along the road?

Look closely at that man’s head. Freaky, huh? Click photo to enlarge.

Supremacy Sounds in conjunction with the one and only Mau Mau Sounds will this Saturday (24th November 2012) be throwing one of the biggest reggae parties at the Kikwetu Lounge along Moi Avenue.

The event dubbed Str8 Fire Saturdays is the first of it’s kind at the lounge that will be happening each and every Saturday.

Here, you will get to enjoy your favorite reggae tracks in a relaxed mood, at the Lounge. No scuffle, just pure blissful reggae music all night long.

The biggest night in fashion in Kenya went down this past weekend at The Ngong Racecourse. With designers from as far as the UK, Ghana and Uganda the event which focuses on bringing together established and emerging African fashion designers from across the continent was one of a kind. Take a look;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo props: Megapixels Productions

Jazz band, Incognito, will be performing at The Bomas of Kenya on 16th December from 6:30 p.m. The night will also feature Christine Kamau a.k.a The Jazzist and guitarist, Kato Change as curtain-raisers.

Regular tickets will go for Kshs. 3,000 and VIP tickets are Kshs. 5,000. The tickets are being sold at the Sierra Brasserie on the second floor of Yaya Centre. Incognito’s concert is sponsored by Sierra and Capital FM.

Incognito has been performing with different members since their first album in 1981. It took them a decade to release their next record but have been consistent throughout the ’90s and ’00s with 15 albums to date.

Their current members include Bluey, Matt Cooper, Vanessa Haynes, Mo Brandis, Natalie Williams, Francis Hylton, Francesco Mendolia, Joáo Caetano, Sid Gauld, Jamie Anderson, Trevor Mires, Maysa Leak, Tony Momrelle and Imaani.

He has been rather quite lately since we are used to seeing him continuously do something big enough to end up in the headlines. But now, Octo is back to doing it big and this time, he is taking it away.

The IVO IVO IVO hit maker will be flying over to Dubai this December for a series of concerts that are already set and ready. According to a close friend of Ghafla’s in Dubai, Octopizzo’s presence is very anticipated by the locals and his concert has been very much hyped.

It seems he is not only big in Kenya, but even in the Middle East. Who would have known. Soon Octopizzo will now be doing shows all over the globe. This really looks good. We at Ghafla are very happy for you Octopizzo.

Let our friends in Dubai know how things here in Kenya are done… IVO IVO IVO!

Nairobi West is the place to be tonight if you are interested in some really good and ital reggae music.

The Supremacy Sounds will be holding it down at the Deep West Club, in Nairobi West tonight in this event dubbed ‘Rock Steady Wednesdays’. This event goes down every Wednesdays and together some of the best reggae deejays in Kenya (Supremacy Sounds) in what usually turns out to be an epic reggae night.

Rock Steady Wednesdays strictly plays the best and deepest of Roots Rock Reggae all night through with beers going for Sh.150.

Entry is free. See you there.

Jamaican dancehall sensation, Popcaan, has canceled his trip to Kenya this December.

According to Homeboyz Radio, the singer canceled the concert which was scheduled to take place on 31st December due to venue issues. Homeboyz Radio also presented a message from Popcaan to G-Money:

“Hey,
Sad to say the show is postponed, we will not be there on Dec 31st. They cannot find a suitable venue. I am trying to secure a February date for them now. On radio please apologise to all the fans for us. We were so ready to be there but promoters can’t make it happen. Hopefully February will work out.”

The Belvedere White & Blue Night will take place on 23rd November at Skylux Lounge from 7:00 p.m.

There will be an open bar between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Electrique DJs & The Beat Parade. There will also be afterparty DJ sets by residents jockeys, DJ Stretch and DJ Slick.

Those who keep to the dress code of blue and white will automatically be put in a raffle with the chance tio win bottles throughout the night. For reservations, call 0729 476 636.