hori_POSTER

[Update] Kwani? LitFest 2012: Stories of the Horn of Africa, Dec. 9-16 2012 @ Various Venues

hori_POSTER
Festival Dates: December 9 -16, 2012
Events Line Up: Public Lectures, Writers in conversation, Readings, Performances, Art Exhibitions, Film Screenings
Venues: various venues – Kifaru Gardens, Kwani? Garden, National Museum, University of Nairobi, Goethe Institut, Kuona Trust, Habesha, Kibera, KICC Helipad, Eastleigh, South B [map below]

Update: All the events scheduled to take place at University of Nairobi have been moved to the National Museum

Kwani Lit Fest Map
Entry to most of the events is Free

Download litfest_programme

Focus: Stories of the Horn of Africa with participating Countries – Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan & Kenya

Some of the writers confirmed for the festival are: Hadraawi – Somalia, Warsan Shire – Somalia, Sayadin Hersi – Somalia, Awes Osman – Somalia, Said Juma Hussein – Somalia, Chehem Watta – Djibouti, Meaza Worku – Ethiopia, Jamal Mahjoub – Sudan, Alemseged Tesfai – Eritrea, Nawal El Saadawi – Egypt, Kojo Laing – Ghana, Helon Habila – Nigeria, Deqa Abshir – Somalia/Kenya, Fawaz El Said – Sudan, Yassir Ali – Sudan, Altayeb Daw Elbeit – Sudan, Ermais Ekube – Ethiopia

A Snap Shot of the Programme
Date: December 9, 2012
Venue: Kifaru Gardens
Time: 2-10 pm
Music by: Waayaha Cusub and Kato& Band
DJ Set by: DJ Zelalem
Entry: Free
Date: December 10, 2012
Venue: Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Monrovia Street
Time: 2.30 – 8 pm
Entry: Free
Date: December 11, 2012
Venue: University of Nairobi National Museum
Time: 2– 7 pm
Entry: Free
Date: December 12, 2012
Venue: Louis Leakey Auditorium, National Museum
Time: 2.30-8 pm
Entry: Free
Date: December 13, 2012
Venues: Hotel Intercontinental, Taifa Hall (University of Nairobi) & Louis Leakey Auditorium, National Museum
Time: 2.30– 7.30 pm
Entry: Free
Date: December 14, 2012
Venues: Louis Leakey Auditorium (National Museum) & Kuona Trust
Free Entry
Date: December 15, 2012
Venues: Louis Leakey Auditorium (National Museum) & KICC Helipad
Entry: Free (National Museum)
Entry: Ksh 1,000 (KICC Helipad)

About
The Kwani? Literary Festival is organised by Kwani Trust on a biennial basis where the literary leaders of Kenya, enriched with visiting writers from around the world, turn their attention to one salient subject and explore it through the lenses of the continent’s past, present and emerging literatures. In 2012, the Litfest will focus on several geopolitical trends and shifts in Kenya’s immediate north to host literary conversations with the Horn of Africa.
It thus aims to act as a platform where the story of the Horn of Africa can be told, to an extent, not taking the political crisis narrative as the only story that exists.
Additionally, the pan-African exchange programme of Goethe-Institut Moving Africa will bring a further eight African writers to Nairobi.

For the exact programme please visit the 2012 Kwani? Litfest website: http://litfest.kwani.org
More information on Moving Africa: http://www.blog.goethe.de/moving-africa/

pwani grooves

Pwani Grooves: Kombo & Afro Simba Band and Alai K, Dec. 14 2012 @ Goethe

pwani grooves
Date: Friday, December 14 2012
Venue: Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 8 pm
Tickets: Kshs 250

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to relax and chill out at the coast. In order to put you in the right moodAlai K and Kombo invite you for the Pwani Grooves night!

Pwani Grooves combines the styles of two musicians from the coastal side of Kenya, showcasing the Mijikenda and Swahili styles of music. Alai K and Kombo with his Afrosimba Band will fuse rhythms like Kirumbizi, Mwanzele, Sengenya and Chakacha with modern instruments to bring the melodies of the coast right to the center of the busy and energetic city of Nairobi.

Alai K was raised in a Swahili cultural environment which influenced his current way of singing and musical direction. His songs feature Swahili poetry and storytelling; Ndege Ruka, one of his songs, was recently featured as end title in the movie “Nairobi Half Life”. Kombowas exposed to live music from an early age. Over the years, he learnt to play several instruments, like percussion and guitar, was part of several bands and performed at various festivals in Africa and Europe. Kombo’s first album “Ndivyo Ilivyo” was completed in 2009 and he is right now working on his sophomore album.

Bboy Battle

Dance Performance: Breaksession Bboy Battle 2012 Finals, Dec. 11 2012 @ Goethe

Bboy Battle
Date: Tuesday, December 11 2012
Venue: Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 7 pm
Tickets: Advance Kshs 150 for 2 tickets & Gate Kshs 150 per ticket

Breaksession® Bboy Battle is a break-dance event unique in Kenya.

Founded in 2005, the event had its first public edition in July 2011 and very quickly became a success story. It is now officially in its second year and will for the first time feature dancers from all over the country. Created and developed by Joe Nene (a.k.a. Bboy Kay/BreakDjKay) the goal is to spark the Bboy Revolution in Kenya and bring a realization ofBboy/Breaking as one of the elements of Hip-Hop.

Joe Nene, started dancing 18 years ago inspired by the lateMichael Jackson, as well as Usher, Ginuwine, the late Aaliyah, and Missy Eliott. Ever since, he has continuously dreamt of what he has now achieved! An event which would make it possible for Bboysto battle, compare and work with others who have similar skills and want to share them.
He and his crew, The B.B.O.Y Squad will organise this event which aims to have Kenyan breakdance recognised internationally and take it to the next level!