Month: February 2013

There’s a new social event in town. The Cheza Festival shares the same concept as The Mingle but it comes with a pool, beer games, flirting games, board games, dating games, performances and resident DJs.

You also get to enjoy drinks at friendly prices, food, barbeque, Shisha provided by Sweet Kalahari and much more. The premier event takes place this Saturday, 9th February between 12:00 noon and 11:00 p.m. at Eden Gardens (Lavington) and will be held every two months after.

Advance tickets go for Kshs. 500 and Kshs. 700 at the gate. You can get advance tickets at kenyaticketshop.com, Monty’s (Sarit), Game Changer (Junction), Recordez (Yaya and Westgate), German Point (Village Market), Sanj Grafix (Diamond Plaza) and Reel to Reel (Karen Provision Store). Check out more events to attend here.

Top of the morning my good people! Today being the morning after Nigeria Mali-ciously booked their ticket to the Afcon finals, Kenya Libya-rated themselves away from home in a three-ling manner and Bright Gameli’s Ghana bowed out of the AFCON cup Uncle Chim Tuna has ten things you need to know this morning:

#1. Robert Alai, the man everyone loves to hate -although i have no idea why- posted pictures on the damn internets alleging that they were of your Uncle Chim Tuna f*nger*ing a girl at B&W. See the photos here.

 

#2. Mutahi Ngunyi seems to be hellbent on fixing the hangman’s noose round his neck asthough it were a tie or so Jeff Omondi thinks. Find out what that was all about here!

 

#3. Disturbing images of a sickly Samuel Kivuitu surfaced on the internets after his recent interview with KTN and boy does he look horrible. Have a look for yourself here.

 

#4. Former TPF contestant has made his entry onto the musical world by singing an ode to his Mercedes Benz. Find out more about that here.

 

#5. Adam Wagwau got his mitts on the photos of the beautiful girls who’ll be participating in Kenya’s Miss University beauty pageant and my oh my! They are quite the lookers!

 

#6. Churchill compiled a list of rib-cracking tongue slips various ethnic communities in Kenya make and they are quite the hoot! Read them here.

 

#7. DJ Kalonje seems to have landed it in the big leagues after 1FM opened the doors for him. Read about his big break and more here.

 

#8. Safaricom has launched a new campained called “Naweza” and it has our Jeff Omondi drooling about it. Read about the campaign and their new anthem here.

 

#9. Watch Kenya’s finest athletes butcher English so mercilessly that it’s hilarious!

 

#10. Did Gloria Muliro swagger jack an international gospel artist? Her new song has many tongues wagging about her possible theft of this song and Mista Majani delves into that here.

This Friday will be one that The Jazz Bar and its revellers’ will never forget. It will be a night that will always give them a reason and strength to continue with their lives for it will be… THE INVASION!

 

Bet you thought it would be some violent shenanigans, huh? Got you there. Anyway, this Friday (8th of February), get ready for the biggest party you have ever see (if you attend) at the Jazz Bar.

 

Celebrating DJ Vin‘s birthday as well as all the February babies birthdays all together, Jazz Bar will be hosting this party dubbed ‘The Invasion’ which will be kicking off at 7PM and goes on till dawn.

 

All night will be spent on the dancefloor as a handful of deejays will be rocking the massive, among them, DJ Vin, DJ Andie, DJ Whizzy, DJ Infinity and DJ Scream.

All are invited.

Cross Konnect Konnect has been around for a while now and is actually one of the biggest and most popular gospel events that the youth can now rave to through the night.

 

This Sunday (10th February), Cross Konnect will be bringing out the Valentines Affair while at the same time introducing some new artistes and dance groups.

 

That’s not all that will be happening at this month’s Cross Konnect party. They will also be launching the all new Kenya Airways Riddim. You just don’t wanna miss this edition.

 

Featuring Gospel music’s best deejays, DJ MO, Tabbs, Ruff and Njugush, Cross Konnect will be going down at the Timers Restaurant.

Entry is only Sh. 150 and you get a free soda. How awesome is that?

As if the TV Faiba commercials are not funny enough, the head behind the creative and hysterical animation is promising a new episode adapted from Gangnam Style dubbed, “Faiba Gangnam Style”. For now though marvel at the photo.

 

As the gospel music industry continues to record impressive growth, so do the artistes themselves.

 

We have seen most of them launch huge songs and albums, hold successful concerts and conduct selfless campaigns.

This Sunday (10th February), Vicky Kitonga will be launching her album titled ‘Sitakufa Moyo’ at the Redeemed Gospel Church in Hurumu along Juja Road.

 

The album launch will feature performances from some of the Gospel music indutry’s big wigs such as Kambua, Emmy Kosgei, Ruth Matete, Mercy D Lai and Denno.

 

Entry is free and you are invited. See you there.

This needs no description lest the humour is lost. Read for yourself and listen to the full audio interview below. Enjoy!

Kass Journalist: We have one of competitors in the Kassfm International Marathon. Ah What is your name?

Jalis: My name is Jalis *Charles* Lakong (panting) In the marathon is very fine, in the starting, in the coming, in the sprint, in the going in the CHEPARPAR, in the moving in the hill work, in the going in the chepterit in the hill is so yaani KOCHULAT koleatkoto gos inie in the church of SDA, in the rush hours in the people in the coming of the group in the Kachololkong kotis piik in the coming in the people, alongside, people not less than 416 in bracket. in so that when you go in the mosoriot in the close in the open the gap yes the gepping divert in the airport no people as a group in the back.

Kass Journalist: If i may ask what made you run well from the airport?

Jalis: No when am in the airpor, in the pipo in the water, the blue hills water in the giving in the me in the take take, me take water, in the me in the capture the water in the hand in the going in the airport. Not Langas, we call ngomwa in Kapseret is the 12Km remain me I am going now and then in the swing in the hands and i used the Chesti in the bracket i leave pipol when kilene kuskong kikurene eng kingereza in the look back No pipol! No pipol! and am happy me going in the rush hours and this infront aaro kambet katarchin yo.

Kass Journalist: And who are you dedicating this race to?

Jalis: Dedicate to my new marriage I have new wife in the house.

Kass Journalist: What is the name?

Jalis: Shes calling Alice Jebet Lakongy

[A Kale Would Say]

DJ Kalonje’s star seems to be rising higher everyday. Just months after getting the resident entertainer role at OneFM and its sister station, Hits FM, the youthful deejay has once again landed another great job.

Starting this Sunday and every other Sunday, DJ Kalonje and Lavish Lounge (formerly Club Heartz) will be putting their heads together to bring you the freshest dancehall party on the face of earth. Kalonje will host the event alongside Mixxmasters Entertaiment with other deejays on the decks including DJ Katta and hypemen MC Moha and MC Juggler.

The event will also have sound clash deejay competition from different Deejaying units, where they will be show casing their talent head to head. The event is free and revelers are guaranteed of ample security and great parking.

I was as shocked as you probably are right now when I first saw this poster. Come to think of it, I have always heard of a Muhamed Ali radio presenter hosting a reggae show at Radio Maisha, but never thought, not for a second, that it could be the same Muhamed Ali from KTN. Not even in my wildest dreams.

 

Turns out Muhamed Ali is not only a high rated investigative journalist, but also a die hard reggae roots fanatic, deep into Rasta and what not. Yes Iyah!… yeah, I just said that out loud!

For those of you that don’t know, today (6th of February) is the late Bob Marley’s birthday and everyone around the world is celebrating it for the entire week. What better way to pay respect and tribute to a fallen hero and legend.

 

Blackslate Family and Radio Maisha Maisha will be hosting a huge party commemorating Nester’s birthday, but on the 8th of February (this Friday) at the Simba Wells in Makuti.

MCs of the night will be the one and only Ras Moha (Mohamed Ali) and The Bishop, with deejays Patiz and Merciless on the decks.

 

Entry, Sh. 200 before 11PM.

Party starts at 7PM and goes on till dawn.

The next Art & Beer Fest will dedicate its festivities to promoting peace during the upcoming elections which will take place not long after the event’s Feb 23/24 date. The two-day Peace Festival takes place at the KICC Grounds.

Below is a list of the 50 artistes who have already confirmed attendance:

MCs
G-Money
Jack Omamo

DJs
DJ Protege
Creme De La Creme
DJ Mikhail Kuzi
Deejay Kalonje
Jack Rooster
Tom Parker
DJ Cheek-O-Dread
Raj el Rey
Elec_Trio music
DJ Sway
Joe Ferro

Artistes
Octopizzo
P-Unit
Parking Lot Grass
Anto NeoSoul
Kimya
Lon Jon
L-Ness
Kijani Kenya
Neida
Hype Pack
Thoze Guyz
Head Bangerz
Vanessa Vonroe
Yvonne Darcq
Wendy Kimani (TPF)
David Major (TPF)
Yunasi Band
Washamba Wenza
GBO
Kartash
Lon’ Jon
Doria
Friz
Lenysill
Cleopatra
Chege K
Que
Street Lucre
Packman
Neida
KayKay
T.U.S
Kent B
L-Ness
Judge
Kikosi Cha Mizinga
Justella

Nameless is making huge strides in the music industry indeed. After performing in multiple US States through out his musical career, Nameless is still just getting warmed up.

 

When Kenyans abroad look for some good Kenyan entertainment, they always come back fishing for the old school Kenyan artistes. The kind that they left way back when they flew out. Nameless just happens to be one of the biggest Kenyan music old school names around and also one of the most sought after Kenyan performers by the Diaspora event organisers.

 

The Las Vegas Sevens after party which will be going down this Friday will see one of Jamaica’s greatest dancehall and reggae artiste, Chris Martin grace the all Kenyan bar /restaurant in Vegas called ‘Monte Carlo Hotel’ for an exclusive performance for his dear Kenyan fans.

Nameless will be performing here for the first time ever alongside this greatly celebrated Jamaican artiste through out the night.

 

For those who will be within the vicinity, do not miss this concert.

Uneek is consistently lethal on the mic as we have seen from his previous tracks like Smokin’ Like A Rasta, Smoking On That Sour (yes, a lot of his music is about ‘herbal remedies’) and Nai Nights, which was my favourite hip hop song by a local artiste last year.

The artiste who topped Ghafla!’s Five Artistes to Watch in 2013 list promised some new stuff this year with his new producer, Kevin Pro’voke. Except some brilliance from the two craftsmen, who are putting out some of the most exciting works in the industry right now.

On All I Want, the rapper features another perrenial Pro’voke collaborator, Nessa, who has also recently dipped into production under ‘Voke himself. The sexy track continues with the Uneek’s smooth flow and Nessa’s R&B hums giving it that ’90s feel. Check it out below.

Last Thursday, the entire team decided to head on down to Changes to find out why i’ve been ranting about Changes. Here’s a photo-gallery of what went down!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The One Billion Rising Music & Dance Event takes place on Thursday, 14th February between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Uhuru Park.

One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, that makes one billion women. Read about Kiss FM‘s Adelle Onyango‘s rape ordeal here. In Nairobi, a dance and activism event by COVAW (Coalition On Violence Against Women) has been organized to raise awareness about this statistic. Rise and join the initiative on a music and dance event.

According to the UN’s World Health Organization between 15 to 71% of women aged between 15 and 49 years reported physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.

Popular and celebrated house music duo, Black Motion will be landing in Kenya very soon. This is one of the biggest music groups that are currently dominating the South African airwaves and are gradually taking the whole of Africa too.

 

Black Motion will be in the country next week in time for their concert which will be going down on the 15th of February (next Friday).

The concert dubbed ‘Talking to The Drums’ will be happening at the Tree House, courtesy of Electrafrique Nairobi, in association with Kalawa Jazmee.

 

With ridiculously major global hits like ‘Banane Mavoko’, they will literally bring the ‘house‘ down.

Having worked with South African house music legends the likes of DJ Cleo, you know just what to expect in this concert.

 

Heavyweight deejays will be rocking it alongside Black Motion, such as DJ Cortega, Electrique DJs and The Beat Parade Band.

Entrance to the event is only Sh. 1, 000 and there are only 1, 500 of the limited tickets so get yours ASAP!

Party people! Uncle Chim Tuna is back with a guide to where the party will be at tomorrow.

Last week i challenged you to come out to Changes so we can see how accurate my praise of the joint is. Well, i have pictures and footage of that coming up real soon -in a couple of hours actually. But i was impressed that the like of Ian Mugoya and Nick Mutuma and Shappaman came out to see what all the hype was about.

And if indeed you are a party animal worth the label, you know exactly where the party this and every other Thursday is at: Platinum Thursdays at Changes! On the decks, the mercurial DJ Kaytrixx will be spinning the vinyl and i guarantee that he will bring you to your feet!

I hear you asking, “What about the drinks my good man?”, well, on Thursday if you spend 400/- you’ll get 3 beers. Johnie Walker, Tequila and Vodka a tot go at 100/= all night! And if that isn’t your poison, Zappa is sold at @ 50/- a shot.

Set it on your reminder, notarize it in your diary and do whatever you feel is necessary for you to remember to come out to Changes and experience Platinum Thursdays for yourself.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Mingle is back and this time, The Mingle 9.0 as it’s called (for this edition) has a rather impressive surprise for you!

You can get to save 900Kshs and attend The Mingle for only 600/-! That’s right! And for what it’s worth, i’m impressed by how thoughtful this offer is given we have just come from a 5 week long January!

All you need to do though is to buy the ticket right not to take advantage of the “early-bird” special offer. Rush on down to any Galitos, Nakumatt or simply log onto ticketsasa.com to take advantage of this limited offer.

And trust me when i say that The Mingle is worth every penny as you’ll get to enjoy your favourite childhood games such as: “Bano”, “Bladaa”, “Chobo” and arcade games aswell!

The second edition of the Taste Bar & Restaurant Awards in partnership with Heineken took place on January 31st at Nairobi’s Karura Forest with an Electrique DJs hosted afterparty.

The Taste Awards seek to create a platform to celebrate food and beverages in the country and to develop events and campaigns to boost the Kenyan dining and entertainment experience. Check out the nominees here and the winners below.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

UP Magazine Award For Best Italian
Winner: Mediterraneo
Runner-Up: Osteria

UP Magazine Award for Best Continental
Winner: Brew Bistro
Runner-Up: Tamarind Nairobi

UP Magazine Award For Best BBQ or Grill
Winner: Fogo Gaucho
Runner-Up: Carnivore

UP Magazine Award For East African
Winner: Carnivore
Runner-Up: Ranalo’s Kosewe

Asian Weekly Award For Best Indian
Winner: Haandi
Runner-Up: Open House

Asian Weekly Award For Best Japanese
Winner: Onami
Runner-Up: Furusato

Asian Weekly Award For Best Chinese
Winner: China Plate
Runner-Up: Mr. Wok

Asian Weekly Award For Best Asian – Fusion
Winner: Bamboo at Zen Garden
Runner-Up: Onami

Classic 105 Award For Best Nyama Choma
Winner: Ole Polo’s
Runner-Up: Njugunas

Kiss 100 Award For Best Value For Money
Winner: Nairobi Java House
Runner-Up: Artcaffe

Kiss 100 Award For Best Food-On-The-Go Outlet
Winner: Galito’s
Runner-Up: Planet Yoghurt

X FM Award For Best Cafe or Coffee House
Tied Winners: Artcaffe and Nairobi Java House

Kenya Buzz Award For Best Date Night
Tied Winner: Jiko at Tribe Hotel and Brew Bistro

Heineken® Award For Exceptional Achievement to Nairobi Nightlife
Winner: Brew Bistro
Tied Runner-Up: Carnivore and Galileo

Heineken® For Best Concept Night
Winner: K1 Jazz Night
Runner-Up: Galileo

Mara Wines Award for Best Wine List
Winner: WWW Shop and Bar
Runner-Up: The Gallery at Sankara Nairobi

Ciroc Award For Cocktail Bar
Winner: Mercury
Runner-Up: Brew Bistro

Heineken® Award For Best Bar or Club at the Coast
Winner: Forty Thieves
Runner-Up: Il Covo

Airkenya Award For Best Restaurant at the Coast
Winner: Tamarind Mombasa
Runner-Up: Moorings

Heineken® Award For Best Service (Restaurant or Bar)
Winner: Artcaffe
Runner-Up: Nairobi Java House

Acacia Award For Best Newcomer
Winner: The Champagne Bar at Sankara Nairobi
Runner-Up: BBQ Tonight

PRESTIGE AWARDS (Check out the judges list here)

Heineken Award for Chef of the Year 2013
Winner: Marcus Mitchell (Talisman)
Runner-Up: Karan Suri (Tatu at Norfolk Fairmont)

Ciroc Award for Mixologist of the Year 2013

Tied Winners: Alex Kavitha (Cin Cin at Norfolk Fairmont) and Emmanuel Babu
(Nest at Tribe Hotel)

Heineken Front of House Award (for Service Team) for Restaurant

Winner: Seven Sea Food & Grill

Heineken Front of House Award (for Service Team) for Bar
Winner: The Champagne Bar at Sankara Nairobi

EAT OUT Industry Champion Award
Winner: Kiran Jethwa – Seven Seafood & Grill

TASTE EXCELLENCE 2013 LIST

Restaurants

Formal Dining
1. Seven Seafood & Grill
2. Pango Gourmet Brasserie at The Fairview Hotel
3. Tamarind
4. Bamboo at Zen Garden
5. Thai Chi at Sarova Stanley
6. Tatu at Norfolk Fairmont
7. Jiko at Tribe Hotel

Casual Dining
8. Talisman
9. Artcaffe
10. Haandi
11. Le Rustique
12. Onami
13. Furusato

Bars:

Boutique Bars
1. Brew Bistro
2. Mercury
3. Sierra Brasserie
4. Cin Cin at Norfolk Fairmont
5. Nest at Tribe Hotel
6. Sarabi Pool & Supper Club at Sankara Nairobi
7. The Champagne Bar at Sankara Nairobi
8. Fish Bowl at Seven Seafood & Grill

Night Out Bars
9. Carnivore
10. Gipsy’s
11. Que Pasa
12. Havana
13. K1 Klub House

Taste Recognition

Taste Lifetime Achievement: Eamon Mullan at The Fairview Hotel
EAGM Recognition for Sustainable Champion: Brown’s Cheese

One of the most respected pageants in the country, Miss University Kenya, will take place this Thursday, 7th February at the Carnivore between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

The winner of the prestigious title will be sent to the Miss University Africa competition. Previous prolific winners include Mwende Mbae (Catholic University of East Africa), Jackline Maina (Maseno University) and Carmen Milton) Catholic University of East Africa).

Entry is Kshs. 400 for students and Kshs. 500 for non-students. Check out this year’s contestants below.