From about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28^th, the skies over Nairobi opened up to torrents of rain. But, as birthday parties go, ours would carry on unabated. We’d taken over Kenya National Theatre, pitching a humongous tent at the theatre’s entrance and decking out the auditorium in graffiti-sprayed mabati sheets. The walls were strung with eight of our favourite magazine covers blown up to A0 size.

That’s wasn’t all. Thanks to our sponsors, Heineken and Absolut Vodka, there was enough food and drinks to last all through the night. Plus, packets of Urban Bites were on the hit list. A Heineken photo booth was set up in the lobby to allow revellers to take home fun and quirky pictures of themselves on mock UP covers.

See, for over a year now, UP has been all about Nairobi’s urban perspective. We’ve shared the tales of the arts, entertainment and culture happening in this cosmopolitan space. Hard-hitting investigative pieces on social issues; health, corruption, sexuality, city planning (or lack thereof) could also be found in the pages of our free, monthly magazine.

Now, it was party time!

Officially, the gates to UP Live! swung open at 6:00 p.m. with the first 100 guests entitled to a complimentary cocktail. And, as more party-goers braved the rain to enter our “urban space”, drummers Radi Cultural Group and obukano (traditional lyre) player, Grand Master Masese, broke into a fantastic acoustic jam session. A jam session twitter user, @Buggz79 described as: “If there's an African answer to Techno, then this would be it. #AfricanDrums #UPLive!”

Less than an hour later, the doors to the auditorium flung open to the sight of a stage dolled up with psychedelic LED lights; a backdrop of mabati panels riddled with matatu routes; hubcaps; curious faces and shapes; hand-painted signs similar to those popular across the city, such as tunauza kuku and a graffiti-sprayed UP logo.

In the days leading up to the concert, singers Maia von Lekow and Kevin Samuel had been working on a joint set. The smooth-voiced crooners brought a lovely “urban-soul” vibe to their performance as they welcomed guests into the auditorium. When Just A Band’s Blinky Bill, Mbithi and Daniel Muli got on stage, the partying mood was in full swing. Before Maia left the stage, she and Blinky Bill sang the single “Away" off the boys’ sophomore album, 82.

JAB had incorporated other musical talents, percussionist Daniel Mburu and saxophonist Jameri, to considerably— if that’s even possible—jazz up their set. They were a delight in a “retooled” version of the single “Hey” from JAB’s debut album, Scratch to Reveal, adding a simmering hip-hop feel.

Huddled behind the machines, Muli and Mbithi kept the beat going as Blinky Bill in an Indy fedora and a Chilli Mango lesso jacket, rapped and sang the night away. The crowd lapped it up. Jumping to their feet and thronging the front of the stage, party-goers danced, sang and shrieked for the duration of the hour-long performance.

When the crowd begged for an encore, JAB returned to end the concert on an unforgettable high with the cut “Forever People” off 82. But the party wasn’t over yet. DJ Zelalem took charge of the after-party at the Wasanii Bar upstairs. Described by one guest as “Nairobi’s most versatile DJ”, he kept the people dancing well into the wee hours of the morning.

Check out images from UP Live! — "The People" and "The Music"

Fashion high tea is one of the most anticipated haute couture events this year and women are frantically searching for that perfect outfit that won’t get massacred by fashion critics. Meanwhile any gentleman worth his weight in gold will understandably fall back on his ‘fancy suit’ or ‘Old faithful’ as some might prefer to call it.

Sometimes this kind of simplicity is a tactic that should be practiced by the fairer sex. Just not by wearing the same dress to all formal events. Michelle Obama took a bold leap by wearing the same dress to more than one public event. An admirable risk, given the fact that paparazzi stalk her every move.

However this is not about the ladies. Gentlemen out there have made leaps and bounds in fashion in the Kenyan social scene thanks to impeccable taste and indispensable stylists. However the difference is in the details not so much bold splashes that second glances.

Modern day style icons that should be the muse to men’s fashion include Kanye West, Swizz Beats, Andre 3000 and Scott Disick who have been known to push boundaries without being apologetic. Closer to home the eccentric Gentlemen of Bacongo have carved a niche for themselves by combining the meticulous fashion sense of old world dandies with the cutthroat strut of a loan shark.

The newest accessory that has hits the streets is the rustic interpretation of the boutonniere. This is traditionally known to be a floral decoration worn by men through the buttonhole on the left lapel .Our former president; Daniel Arap Moi is rarely seen without his classic single flower or rose bud which always goes along with his tailored suits.

This understated fashion accessory has gone unnoticed for a long time. However the boutonnieres have received a new twist by urban designs that can be tailor made to the wearers taste to become that signature style that an individual gets known for.

Rustic boutonnieres commonly resemble miniature flower bouquets and can be wrapped in twine for a more authentic feel. Other combinations may include a war medal, cotton boll, tufts of millet, buttons, a feral passion flower or maybe even a cute little cactus (preferably without the thorns). The rustic boutonniere is usually tied together with a ribbon that blends in or offers sharp contrast.

It’s basically your favorite item that can get squeezed into the size of the ‘Moi bud’. As long as it’s anything that is bold enough to deviate from the rose bud then you’re definitely on the right track!

If done well boutonnieres can be the prefect accessory that cost virtually nothing because these items are just laying around the house waiting to be transformed into thee ultimate fashion accessory. The other part that goes along with the boutonniere look is a quirky tie and a strong blazer that oozes sophistication. It’s not important to be ‘matchy matchy’ with all items on your person, try to take the rebel route and do something wacky.

What is the role of Art in our lives? And is Art only static, inanimate, or can it be a living, breathing medium?

Artist Yazmany Arboleda, founder of the Glassless Glasses Studio, wants to explore these queries. On November 7^th, his “Monday Morning” public art installation will involve giving 10,000 bright yellow balloons to commuters at Central Bus Station on their way to work. The only request: That the commuters promise to hold on to the balloon until they arrive at their jobs.

“The non-choreographed parade of neon yellow balloons in the heart of the city will transform what spectators and city-dwellers would otherwise think of as an ordinary daily morning commute into a sequence of unexpected celebrations,” says the spiky-haired, energetic artist during a visit to our offices.

The installation is part of the Glassless Glasses Studio’s “Living Industries Project” that revolves around rethinking art and its role in our lives. Nairobi will be the third city in the “Monday Morning” series of installations. Over the past year, 10,000 neon orange balloons were handed out in Bangalore, India, and another 10,000 neon green balloons were given to citizens of Yamaguchi, Japan.

“Figuratively, the balloons represent celebration. They make us think of the happy moments that punctuate our lives. By contrast, the often-monotonous nature of work makes this juxtaposition all the more compelling,” explains Yazmani. “This art piece hopefully opens up conversations about what we think and feel about work, and how we approach it each day. The disparity between the repetitive nature of work and the charm and playfulness of a balloon – or thousands of them moving in a given landscape – imbues this art piece with a broad range of meaning.”

The installation is organized in collaboration with The Nairobi Arts Trust and runs from 6 a.m. until noon. When asked about the issue of participants’ security in the face of the looming terror threats, Yarzmany says, “Despite the fear, it is important to take a stance. You can’t hide and do nothing; you’ve got to stand up. However, we will have both private security and police stationed at the bus station. The Mayor of Nairobi is also expected to attend.”

So if a friendly face with a kazi t-shirt offers you a yellow, helium-filled balloon next Monday, don’t be shy. Take it. And take a picture with it at your workstation, then share it with us at @UPNAIROBI or post it on our wall at www.facebook.com/UP MAGAZINE.

It’s hard to describe the first impression a person gets when meeting Kenyan musician Avril. The press has circulated so many versions of her that there’s no clear way to tell which one is true, if any. The side of her that a lot of people don’t get to see is “Nyambura”. Avril reveals that her role as “Mis B’have”, in the upcoming MTV youth television drama “Shuga II”, gives her fans the chance to see this side of her.

Avril also describes the experience as being therapeutic, because it allowed her to feel emotions that she relates to. She admits that she had forgotten how serious HIV is to her and her generation. “The youth have become lax and lost sight of their goals, because of overindulgence in alcohol, which goes hand in hand with casual sex. The lesson definitely needs to be re-emphasized,” the singer-actress says.

Since her debut in the music industry in 2006, Avril’s career has grown beyond expectation by featuring songs that have an uncanny ability to stick in your head all day. She is most in her element during a performance. That’s when the magic happens, and Avril's personality jumps out of her petite frame and drives fans wild. “For me it’s all about the energy I give off to the crowd because that’s what I'll get back. So, even when I stand in front of a corporate crowd, I make sure they are as excited as I am. Nothing scares me when I’m on stage,” she admits.

Avril is as bold in her fashion choices as in the music she makes. Her stage attire -- little shorts and ripped-up stockings – is designed to shock, adding to her projected persona. She also translates this style to her everyday outfits, wearing custom-made designs from budding Kenyan designers. Avril favors those who are bold enough to venture beyond safe fashion trends. While some may admire the singer-actress's bold sexuality, many critics think she should tone things down.

Avril responds, “I make no apologies for celebrating my femininity, and I don’t intend on stopping anytime soon.”

The nude picture scandal that rocked the tabloids late last year is still fresh in many gossip columns and in Avril’s mind. “With the help of my mother and a genuine group of friends, I weathered the storm and got back to focusing on my career,” she reveals.

Headstrong determination and business tenacity fuel her current staying power in the entertainment industry. The love-hate affair that Avril has with the press isn’t as icy as people would think. The performer holds no grudges against the media, because the situation she is in comes with the territory. She elaborates, “I decided to be mature by accepting being in control of my destiny, and not by [accepting] opinions that cannot be controlled.”

When Avril isn’t ruffling feathers in the entertainment world, she pursues a cause close to her heart. The singer-actress has lost two close family members to cancer, and has decided to partner with the Aga Khan Hospital and the Kenya Cancer Foundation to host regular screenings throughout the year, not just in October.

“I have seen firsthand the way many young people live life too fast on a primarily fast food diet, which leads to the dwindling health of younger generations and higher cases of cancer for this generation.”

The year seems promising for the budding starlet, and hopefully it will match her bold signature style for life.

Catch Avril in the “3 Punches” section of UP Magazine’s February issue.