Simultaneous Exhibitions: ‘When I Think of My Mum’ by Mika Obanda & ‘An Exhibition of Wooden Sculpture’ by Baldy Osborne, May 27 – Jun. 18 2023 @ One Off Contemporary Art Gallery.

Opening: May 27, 2023

Venue: One Off Contemporary Art Gallery

Time: Noon – 4 PM

Until June 18, 2023.

About

One Off Contemporary Art Gallery is delighted to be hosting Mika Obanda’s first solo show featuring a narrative in the form of a letter to his Mother, depicted in painstaking eggshell mosaic. The works offer a charming record of everyday life, in and around his home area. An early distinction for Obanda was having one of his works chosen by the GoDown Art Centre team for presentation to Dr. Jill Biden on her recent visit to Nairobi. 

In the Loft Gallery, we will host another exhibition of impressive wood sculptures by Baldy Osborne. The workmanship and finish on these pieces is extraordinary and this exhibition offers collectors a chance to pick up some beautiful three dimensional pieces at a very fair price.

Simultaneous Exhibitions: ‘When I Think of My Mum’ by Mika Obanda & ‘An Exhibition of Wooden Sculpture’ by Baldy Osborne, May 27 – Jun. 18 2023 @ One Off Contemporary Art Gallery.

Opening: May 27, 2023

Venue: One Off Contemporary Art Gallery

Time: Noon – 4 PM

Until June 18, 2023.

About

One Off Contemporary Art Gallery is delighted to be hosting Mika Obanda’s first solo show featuring a narrative in the form of a letter to his Mother, depicted in painstaking eggshell mosaic. The works offer a charming record of everyday life, in and around his home area. An early distinction for Obanda was having one of his works chosen by the GoDown Art Centre team for presentation to Dr. Jill Biden on her recent visit to Nairobi. 

In the Loft Gallery, we will host another exhibition of impressive wood sculptures by Baldy Osborne. The workmanship and finish on these pieces is extraordinary and this exhibition offers collectors a chance to pick up some beautiful three dimensional pieces at a very fair price.

Play/Performance: Supernova by Martin Kigondu, May 31 2023 @ the Kenya National Theatre.

Date: Wednesday 31st, May, 2023

Venue: the Kenya National Theatre

Time: 7 PM

Advance Tickets: KES 1,200/- Solo and KES 2,100 Double (by May 27, 2023)

Synopsis:

SUPERNOVA is an Award winning one person stage performance written and performed by Kenyan actor, writer and director – Martin Kigondu.

The play follows a popular radio presenter on a short leave to attend a personal emergency. Frank – played by Kigondu, is a man sieving through a love that was, could have been and is, while chasing the highs that come with a busy career and the lows that are survived often in silence. Exploring themes around ambition, love, grief, masculinity, solitude, family and mental fortitude with both heart and wit, the play spotlights the headspace of man in particular urban isolation. Frank’s account weaves in other characters and perspectives in the 85 minute intimate and forthright performance, giving the actor the canvas for a tapestry of different personas and emotions.

A pleasurable and poignant watch with Kigondu’s signature profoundness and warmth – in his writing as in his performance. The play won Best Actor in a Solo Performance, Best Playwright and Best Sound Design at the Kenya Theatre Awards 2023.

“Kigondu gives a masterful performance” Business Daily.

“Kigondu must be one of (if not the) finest character actors in Kenya” – Kenya Arts Review (2022). 

After having its Victory Lap tour across counties this May, SUPERNOVA will close with a ONE NIGHT ONLY performance in Nairobi at The Kenya National Theatre, main auditorium on Wednesday 31st MAY (Madaraka Day Eve).

This follows the tour that saw Prevail Presents Company stage Supernova in Mombasa at The Little Theatre Club on Sat 13th May, in Nanyuki at Le Rustique on Sun 21st May, in Nakuru on Friday the 26th of May at the Nakuru Players Theatre and in Eldoret at the KVDA Auditorium on Sun 28th of May, 2023.

It had previously done a run in Nairobi and is gearing up for an East African tour in the coming months.

Play/Performance: Supernova by Martin Kigondu, May 31 2023 @ the Kenya National Theatre.

Date: Wednesday 31st, May, 2023

Venue: the Kenya National Theatre

Time: 7 PM

Advance Tickets: KES 1,200/- Solo and KES 2,100 Double (by May 27, 2023)

Synopsis:

SUPERNOVA is an Award winning one person stage performance written and performed by Kenyan actor, writer and director – Martin Kigondu.

The play follows a popular radio presenter on a short leave to attend a personal emergency. Frank – played by Kigondu, is a man sieving through a love that was, could have been and is, while chasing the highs that come with a busy career and the lows that are survived often in silence. Exploring themes around ambition, love, grief, masculinity, solitude, family and mental fortitude with both heart and wit, the play spotlights the headspace of man in particular urban isolation. Frank’s account weaves in other characters and perspectives in the 85 minute intimate and forthright performance, giving the actor the canvas for a tapestry of different personas and emotions.

A pleasurable and poignant watch with Kigondu’s signature profoundness and warmth – in his writing as in his performance. The play won Best Actor in a Solo Performance, Best Playwright and Best Sound Design at the Kenya Theatre Awards 2023.

“Kigondu gives a masterful performance” Business Daily.

“Kigondu must be one of (if not the) finest character actors in Kenya” – Kenya Arts Review (2022). 

After having its Victory Lap tour across counties this May, SUPERNOVA will close with a ONE NIGHT ONLY performance in Nairobi at The Kenya National Theatre, main auditorium on Wednesday 31st MAY (Madaraka Day Eve).

This follows the tour that saw Prevail Presents Company stage Supernova in Mombasa at The Little Theatre Club on Sat 13th May, in Nanyuki at Le Rustique on Sun 21st May, in Nakuru on Friday the 26th of May at the Nakuru Players Theatre and in Eldoret at the KVDA Auditorium on Sun 28th of May, 2023.

It had previously done a run in Nairobi and is gearing up for an East African tour in the coming months.

Fundraiser: Preserving Coastal Music Heritage, May 9 2023 @ the Santuri Salon – Westlands.

Date: Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Venue: the Santuri Salon

Time: 6.30-9 p.m.

Tickets: KES 2,000/-

Ticket link: https://mookh.com/event/fundraiser-preserving-coastal-music-heritage/.

About
From the late 1960s to 2022 musicians from the East African coast recorded at ‘Mbwana Radio Service’ in Mombasa’s Old Town. Some of the music styles in the catalogue are taarab, mwanzele, kayamba or gozi. On the roster of the cassette label were stars like Zuhura Swaleh, Maulidi Juma, and Nyerere wa Konde. At the end of last year the studio and shop closed its doors permanently but the cassettes still exist albeit in a precarious state. That’s why we need your support in preserving the diverse collection!

Come down to the event which will feature music and conversations celebrating the rich heritage, addressing current issues and exploring possible futures.

All proceeds go to the preservation initiative.

In conversation will be:
Nassoro Mwinyi, custodian of the collection
Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, cultural anthropologist
Wairimũ Nduba, founder of Wer Jokenya [twitter instagram: @werjokenya].

Date: 9 May 2023, 6.30 – 9 p.m.
Address: Santuri Salon [https://santuri.org/Contact-Us], The Mall (basement), Ring Road Parklands, Westlands, Nairobi

You can also send donations – without obtaining a ticket – to:
• Paybill – Santuri East Africa
Business no.: 4054299
Account: pwani
• Paypal
Santurieastafrica@gmail.com

Note that the capacity is limited so you are advised to book your ticket early.

The Museums Lab 2023: Kick-off Event, May 3 2023.

Date: May 3, 2023

Medium: Online / YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOp01XCzhf0)

Time: 6 PM

About

TheMuseumsLab is a platform for joint learning, unlearning, exchange and continuous education on the future of museums in both Africa & Europe.

It was jointly developed by several partners: the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin(MFN), the University of Applied Sciences Berlin (HTW), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the African consultancy group The Advisors.

In 2023 the programme is jointly curated by the National Museums of Kenya, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, the University of Nairobi, University of Applied Sciences Berlin, The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).

This year, TheMuseumsLab will start again with a Kick-off Event on May 3rd. During the event, there will be an introduction to this year’s programme, followed by a Keynote Speech by Aindrea Emelife, Curator, Modern and Contemporary at EMOWAA (Edo Museum of West African Art).

Event Information

TheMuseumsLab is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA), the German Minister of State for Culture and the Media (BKM) as well as the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).