Showcase Wednesday: Benga Flava by Makadem, May 8 2019 @ Alliance Francaise


Date: May 8, 2019
Venue: Alliance Francaise Gardens
Time: 7 pm
Free Entry

This is the return of Makadem to the Alliance Française de Nairobi, the place that catapulted his career to the international stage, and where he calls “home”. He returns with his unique “Benga Flava” style which fuses Kenyan and other African music, as well as some international genres, into his native Benga Beats, giving it a fresh and broadly contemporary feel.

Out of Town: Kilifi New Year Festival ft. 62 Local and International Acts, Dec. 30 2018 – Jan. 2 2019 @ Beneath the Baobabs – Kilifi


Dates: December 30, 2018 – January 2, 2019
Venue: Beneath the Baobabs – Kilifi
Tickets: Final Advance Tickets at KSh 8,000 for the entire 4-day duration. Tickets at the gate will cost KSh 9,000

Advance tickets available, here

About
Located in Kenya on the East coast of Africa, Kilifi is where we chose to call home. This was not only because of its stunning natural beauty, but because of the future that we envisioned for it. In 2014, the founders decided to host a gathering that would act as a melting pot of global cultures and a haven for freedom of expression. It was going to be a place where they could fiercely advocate what they themselves believed in: conscious living and sustainability.

Our festival – with secret nooks, majestic spaces and art dotted all across the site – is intended to encourage renewal. It culminates with the burning of a large wooden sculpture, symbolising new beginnings and a shared optimism for a brighter future, bringing together the community of Kilifi and all festival goers for a moving spectacle.

The Music
This year’s festival will offer three stages with over 40 artists from different genres: House and Techno Music, Dub Reggae and Bass Music with both Kenyan and international acts

Here’s a sample of all the DJ lineup in store for 2019. First Wave Lineup:

Nickodemus (US), Gato Preto (D/AO/GH), Yaadcore (JM), Cian Finn (IRE), DJ invIZable (SA), Yeti (SA), Jinku (K), Kerby (K), Seth Schwarz (D), Pete on the Corner (UK), Makadem (K), Marcus WI (K), Tash LC (UK), Enchan (K), Chucky (K), Belville (D), Dreadsteppa (K), Umojah Sound System (K), Commoner (UK), Sadhu Sensi (SA), Abaki Simba (K), Brian Kadawa (K), Shishi (K) et al.

Mind, Body, Soul
We are excited to announce a newly created area dedicated to feeding the senses and educating the mind; away from the exciting and intense music and energy of the dance floors beneath the baobabs.

Here, we will hold workshops, talks and have different therapies and therapists on hand to enhance the festivals values of holistic living and conscious education. Our attendees feed both mind & body with yoga and other activities which all have an emphasis on improving quality of life.

Our Ethos
We stand for diversity in race, religion, sex, origin and humanity. The basic principle behind this is that the more diverse we are the richer we are! We judge people by who they are inside, not by the colour of their skin, sex, sexual orientation or anything else skin deep.

We want to act as a platform for growing the wellness and alternative education movement in Kenya. For it to be a bigger part of lives of everyone who comes through our gates.

Kilifi New Year commits to protect and conserve the local environment and as act as an example and inspiration to live consciously on the planet. We focus on ecological awareness, e.g. gardening/ cultivation of land, water harvesting and conservation education.

Creativity: The dream is to showcase and develop talents and potential in music and art from all over Kenya.

The Magic Maker. We want Kilifi New Year acts as a beacon to attract international and homegrown creativity & talent in order to bring in the skills and knowledge which will to amplify all of the above goals.

The Venue: Beneath the Baobabs
This is the unique jungle site populated by ancient trees is set beside the stunning Takaungu Creek on the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by pristine lush plateau, and is home to secret wild orange and lemon orchards, bamboo forests and thousand year-old baobabs that make for a magical setting for any experience.

Over the next 12 months is hosting two main public festivals, Kilifi New Year Beneath the Baobabs, and Kilifi Roots Festival – Beneath the Baobabs.

Artistic Encounters/Performance: Dami Ajayi & Makadem, Oct. 11 2018 @ Goethe-Institut Auditorium

Makadem Performing at the 2018 Sauti za Busara Festival.
Date: Thursday, 11th Oct 2018, 6PM
Venue: Goethe-Institut, Auditorium
Admission: Free

The fifth episode of the series will feature Nigerian poet and writer Dami Ajayi who will be accompanied by Kenyan musician and specialiist in Benga music, Makadem. The performance and discussion will be moderated by Zukiswa Wanner.

Copies of the book and CDs by the artists will be available for purchase after the event.

Bengatronics (DJ Gregg Tendwa) ft. Wakuu (Makadem & Kasiva Mutua), Feb.19 2018 @ Alliance Française


Date: February 19, 2018
Venue: Alliance Française Gardens
Time: from 7 pm
Entry: Free

About
Benga is undoubtedly Kenyan’s original dance music. Bengatronics, coined by sound producer/DJ Gregg Tendwa, can be a sound, a vibe or a movement. It is essentially a cocktail of folk, dance, electronic and experimental fusion from East Africa. Borrowing heavily from authentic benga styles, it introduces digital influences such as real-time remixing, sampling, and improvisation of arrangements in a live performance setting.

After performances at the Kilifi New Year Festival, the Bengatronics collective showcase some of the heavyweights of Kenyan music scene (the Wakuu) with Makadem, the nyatiti wielding ohanglaman and Kasiva Mutua, the globe-trotting percussionist.

Out of Town: Sauti za Busara Music Festival, Feb. 8-11 2018 @ Stonetown, Zanzibar – Tanzania


Dates: February 8-11, 2018
Venue: Stonetown, Zanzibar – Tanzania
Time: 5:00 pm to 1:30 am, daily

Tickets: Regular, International – $ 120, African United (holders of passports from African Countries) $ 60 and Tanzania Citizens $ 9.

Performances: Over 40 live acts including, Zakes Bantwini – South Africa, Kasai All Stars – DRC, Saida Karoli – Tanzania, Ribab Fusion – Morocco, and from Kenya; Makadem, Kidum & the Boda Boda Band and Maia & the Big Sky.

Download the festival programme, here: SzB2018 Fest Prog (pdf)