Oh yes, we are so close to the weekend. Thirsty Thursday is here so start your weekend early (and right) with UP’s picks of the best events in and around Nairobi this Thursday 21st July.
Art Talk: The Future of Contemporary Art in Africa at The Art Space
Raphael Chikukwa and Renée Mboya will be in conversation about the future of Contemporary Art in Africa. They will touch on key pointers on Art History from Africa and well as current perceptions on art from Africa.
With East Africa remaining relatively less known in comparison to its counterparts Southern and West Africa, this conversation will look at the direction in which art from Africa as a whole is headed in.
Photo Credit: Joel Lukhovi
Raphael Chikukwa is here in Kenya as part of the Sasa Series by the Goethe Institute in partnership with The Art Space, Kuona Trust and the Art Cabinet.
About Raphael Chikukwa
Raphael Chikukwa was born in Zimbabwe and worked mainly as an independent curator for ten years before joining the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in 2010 as its Chief Curator. In his current position, Chikukwa hopes to change the visual arts landscape of Zimbabwe. Chikukwa curated the first and second Zimbabwe Pavilions at the 54th and 55th Venice Biennales. Since 2011, Chikukwa has taken part in a number of forums that include the Johannesburg Art Fair 2013; Arco Madrid 2013; Re Zimbabwe Pavilion talk at INIVA in London; 1st World Biennale Forum in South Korea; KLA ART 012, Kampala Contemporary Art Festival; and Condition Report forum in Senegal. He is a founding member of the PUMA funded Creative Africa Network, and was an editor and advisor for the project (2008–09). Recently, he was among seven curators from Africa who attended the Tate Modern Symposium, Curating in Africa, where he presented a paper on his curatorial practice. In 2008, Chikukwa represented Africa at Art Basel Miami Conversations. The American Centre Foundation also awarded Chikukwa a curatorial research grant for which he travelled in West Africa (2006–07). He was awarded as the 2006–07 Chevening Scholar, and now holds an MA in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University, London.
Renée Mboya
Renee Mboya is a curator, writer and filmmaker. Since 2012 she is engaged in research, writing, creating installations and works with (visual) artists, photographers and filmmakers from all over Africa, in order to explore the different identities of a new generation. Mboya has put together exhibitions for Gallery Watutu / Kuona Trust Art Centre and various pop-up areas throughout Africa. Her own work has been shown in Medina Gallery in Bamako and the Prince Claus Fund Gallery in Amsterdam. Her texts have been published in Life Magazine, Art, East African Standard Newspaper, Kwani and The Sun Times. She is currently based in Germany.
Time: 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Entry: Free
The Young Entrepreneurs Network Africa presents #SuccessStoryKE at Kytabu Lounge
Your Personal Brand is your promise to your clients, a promise of quality, consistency, competency and reliability. What is your brand? How do you want to be known? Come learn how to Discover, Define, Design, Improve and Build your Personal Brand with an amazing panel of speakers Derek Bbanga, Jabari Smith and Host Amadou Cissoko.
Time: 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Entry: 1,000 KES for members and 1,500 for non members
Roots Intl present Papi Odeq and Tamasha Beats Live at Choices
Papi OdeQ is a SINGER/SONG-WRITER and also the FOUNDER and LEAD SINGER of TAMASHA BEATS, a band he initially founded as an all male-acapella band, but which now features and includes a FULL-INSTRUMENTS PLAYING UNIT.
Papi OdeQ grew up in the sprawling Maringo Estate of Nairobi in Kenya. As a child growing up in the notorious Eastlands Area of Nairobi, Papi witnessed many a young people being consumed by crime and drugs around Maringo Estate but he managed to escape all these vices by, diving head-first, into performing arts, way back in 2001, after completing his Secondary School education.
Papi grew up listening to lots of Benga, Rhumba and Kenyan-Folk Music that was always played by his father on the old gramophone. These genres of music have greatly influenced Papi’s writing and music recording.
Papi calls his style of music BENGA-FUSION since he makes music that is a fusion of the contemporary Afro-Fusion, the traditional Kenyan Folk music and the golden Benga tunes and sings in several ethnic dialects of Kenya (His native Dholuo dialect, Kikuyu, Maasai, Kalenjin, Kisii, Kamba etc) but also in English & Swahili.
Papi with his band Tamasha Beats released the first album, UNVEILED! in 2011. UNVEILED! And features, mostly, traditional and sacred folk music done in rich four-part male harmonies and sung in various Kenyan ethnic dialects!
Papi OdeQ intends to release a sophomore album with a working title EXPRESSIONS! In September 2015!
Time: 8:00 PM to 23:00 PM
Entry: Free
La Milonga Patamango at The Westwood Hotel
The Patamango Association for Argentine Tango is pleased to organize La Milonga Patamango offering an opportunity to dance Argentine Tango in Nairobi every Thursday evening.
“Tango is danced closely. Sometimes even very close. It certainly looks very intimate. But not necessarily should be. Dancers, especially men, should not abuse the intimacy. A woman is a queen, and should be respected as such. For a man, it is most important to respect and protect, and even follow his partner… Gentlemen, it is not good to drag your partner, even if she is a beginner. YOU MUST FOLLOW YOUR PARTNER, EVEN IF SHE DANCES WRONG!!! Yes, leaders must follow. That is the greatest paradox of a good dancer - men are leaders, but they follow women. That is a woman who defines the style of dancing, distance, intimacy, speed, and rhythm. You do not agree? Then you will never be a good dancer with whom every woman would love to dance. This and only this defines who is the best dancer in Argentine Tango.” - Igor Polk
Time: 7:30PM to 11:30PM
Entry: Free
Thursdate Wine Lover’s night at Aqua Blu Club & Lounge Bar
Celebrating the Wines culture in Nairobi.
They say Wine is good for your heart and thats why we want you to drink more wine.
For Every Bottle of Selected wine you buy, you get a second bottle Absolutely Free!.. Offer runs all night.
Music by DJ MCK
Dresscode - Dress to impress
Time: 7:00 PM
Entry: Free, strictly 25+
Ross Patel Rocks Nairobi Live at the Tree House
Great Rock Night @ Treehouse featuring Ross Patel and his latest creation “Falling Water”.
Jimi Hendrix is back! Come and see.
Time: 6:00PM to 3:00AM
Entry: Free
