Photo Exhibition: Worship and Religious Diversity, March 14-18 2011 @ University of Nairobi


The Cultural Council of the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran is organizing a one week photo exhibition showcasing the Worship and Religious diversity in the Islamic Republic of Iran on 4th-18th March 2011 at the University of Nairobi Jomo Kenyata Memorial Library
A collection of superb photos by a renown Iranian Female Photographer Marzieh Avetyn will be on display.

Dates: March 14-18, 2011
Venue: Jomo Kenyata Memorial Library, University of Nairobi
Time: 9am-4pm daily
Entrance: Free

More info: Cultural Center Website

Out of Town/Festival: Lamu Maulidi Cultural Festival, Feb. 28-Mar. 3 2011 @ Lamu Fort


The Maulidi festival is scheduled for the 28th to 3rd March,2010 in Lamu. The festival is normally composed of the religious component (the Maulid) which is the celebration of Prophet Muhammad birthday.
Dates: February 28-March 3, 2011
Venue: Lamu Fort

Theme: Role of Shirazi Influence in Crafting Swahili Culture in the East Africa Coast

Speakers: From Islamic Republic of Iran & Kenya

Day 1: Influence of Shirazi on the East African Coast
Day 2: Contribution of Persian Language to Kiswahili language

The festival activities include Donkey race, dhow sailing race, bao game, Henna painting, poetry, swimming competitions, cross country, tug of war, kofia making among others.

Download PROGRAMME MAULIDI FESTIVAL 2011

Art & Photo Exhibition: A Walk Thru. Black History, Feb. 27-Mar. 13 2011 @ Paa ya Paa

Exhibition Dates: February 27-March 13, 2011
Venue: Paa ya Paa Art Centre
Location: Paa ya Paa Lane, Ridgeways Road, Off Kiambu Road
Time: 9am-5pm daily
Entrance: Free

Take a tour to the lush grounds of Paa ya Paa with artistic scenery and view the Walk Thru Black History Photo Exhibit, also sample some recently released books (part of the exhibition).

For more info, contact Paa Ya Paa Arts Centre: 0733 270 109 or via e-mail info@paayapaa.com

Art exhibition: Kaafiri Kariuki, Mar 4-31 2011 @ Le Rustique

Kaafiri Kariuki was born in 1973 and has been drawing and painting since childhood. His technique –‘the Dancing Pen’ as he calls it- is an intricate and time-consuming method with Rotring pens. His art critiques the status of society, something that he refers to as an “ironic existence”.

The symbols of the village, the slum and the “big” city are at the core of his critical pictures that have nostalgic references to “naive” Africa.
The artist, a former street child, set up the Mukuru Arts and Crafts project in Nairobi’s industrial area in 2003.

The exhibition comprises of old and recent works on paper as well as sculptures.

Concert: Blankets and Wine XXIII, Mar. 6 2011 @ Leisure Gardens, Karen


Date: March 6, 2011
Venue: Leisure Gardens-Mamba Village, Karen
Time: 1-6pm
Tickets: Adults Kshs 1300 & Child Kshs 400 at the gate
Advance tickets: Kshs 1000 Available at all Dormans Outlets (before March 3, 2011) or by PesaPal

Performances by: The smooth Mutinda, Ever soulful Atemi,, Entertaining Tony Nyadundo, and Tanzanian sensation Lady J – Dee, backed by the Villagers band.
This will be the first time both Tony Nyadundo and Lady J-Dee will play at Blankets & Wine.

Links to some of the acts to expect: Mutinda, Tony Nyadundo, Atemi & the ma3 band & Lady J- Dee

Pack your picnics/wine/shukas and bring along all your friends and family for incredible an afternoon of music.
PS: B&W is a pet free zone.

Party: What the Funk? Mar. 3 2011 @ Mercury Lounge


A night dedicated to FUNK* music

Date: March 3, 2011
Time: 6pm-1am
Venue: Mercury Lounge, ABC Place

* Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid to late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music.
Funk bands sometimes have a horn section of several saxophones, trumpets, and in some cases, a trombone, which plays rhythmic “hits”.
American funk performers include James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Curtis Mayfield, The Meters, The Funk Brothers, Bootsy Collins, Rick James, and Prince. Notable funk bands of the 1970s and 1980s included Rufus feat. Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Eric Burdon & War, Tower of Power, Average White Band, The Ohio Players, The Commodores, Kool & the Gang and Cameo, though many of these most famous bands in the genre also played disco and soul extensively.
Funk music was a major influence on the development of disco music, and funk samples were present in most styles of house music and early hip hop music.