MO FAYA SELECTED FOR SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB

Top Kenyan thespian Mumbi Kaigwa will join other East African filmmakers and entertainers selected for the second Sundance Institute Theatre Lab on Manda, Lamu for a two-week exchange and development program.
The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab kicks off on July 17 till July 31 and will also feature other participating artists from East Africa including Andnet Dagnew (Ethiopia), Philip Luswata (Uganda), (Kenya), Schollarstickar Luwi (Tanzania), Pili Malundila (Tanzania) and Angel Uwamahoro (Rwanda). In addition to the Fellows, Creative Advisors for the Lab are: Hope Azeda (Rwanda), Lynn Nottage (USA), Stew (USA), Indhu Rubasingham (UK) and Liesl Tommy (USA/South Africa).
The selected filmmakers will join Mumbi who played the lead lady, Anna Mali in the theatrical release of Mo Faya. Eric Wainaina who played DJ Lwanda wrote the play. Anna seduced DJ Lwanda to keep him away from the slums and fighting for the rights of it’s inhabitants of Kwa Maji. When the government and media turn a blind eye to the decapitated bodies in the streets, DJ Lwanda must return home to expose the truth. But at what cost?
The cast also included Dan Chizi Aceda, Atemi Ayungu, Valerie Kimani and Peter King among others.
"For 25 years, Sundance Institute's Theatre Program has been discovering and developing new work, always with a focus on richness and diversity of storytelling," said Keri Putnam, Executive Director of the Institute. "Now in its fifth year, the East Africa initiative reflects our commitment to connecting with the stories and histories of other cultures, and supporting artists who can share them with global audiences."
"The insight and feedback we received for last year's charter Theatre Lab on Manda affirmed our belief that cultural exchange informs arts and artists on a deep level," said Himberg.
Sundance Institute East Africa is a program to support the work of theatre artists in East Africa, as well as to create exchange and exposure opportunities between U.S. artists and East African writers, directors, and performers.

MO FAYA SELECTED FOR SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB

Top Kenyan thespian Mumbi Kaigwa will join other East African filmmakers and entertainers selected for the second Sundance Institute Theatre Lab on Manda, Lamu for a two-week exchange and development program.
The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab kicks off on July 17 till July 31 and will also feature other participating artists from East Africa including Andnet Dagnew (Ethiopia), Philip Luswata (Uganda), (Kenya), Schollarstickar Luwi (Tanzania), Pili Malundila (Tanzania) and Angel Uwamahoro (Rwanda). In addition to the Fellows, Creative Advisors for the Lab are: Hope Azeda (Rwanda), Lynn Nottage (USA), Stew (USA), Indhu Rubasingham (UK) and Liesl Tommy (USA/South Africa).
The selected filmmakers will join Mumbi who played the lead lady, Anna Mali in the theatrical release of Mo Faya. Eric Wainaina who played DJ Lwanda wrote the play. Anna seduced DJ Lwanda to keep him away from the slums and fighting for the rights of it’s inhabitants of Kwa Maji. When the government and media turn a blind eye to the decapitated bodies in the streets, DJ Lwanda must return home to expose the truth. But at what cost?
The cast also included Dan Chizi Aceda, Atemi Ayungu, Valerie Kimani and Peter King among others.
"For 25 years, Sundance Institute's Theatre Program has been discovering and developing new work, always with a focus on richness and diversity of storytelling," said Keri Putnam, Executive Director of the Institute. "Now in its fifth year, the East Africa initiative reflects our commitment to connecting with the stories and histories of other cultures, and supporting artists who can share them with global audiences."
"The insight and feedback we received for last year's charter Theatre Lab on Manda affirmed our belief that cultural exchange informs arts and artists on a deep level," said Himberg.
Sundance Institute East Africa is a program to support the work of theatre artists in East Africa, as well as to create exchange and exposure opportunities between U.S. artists and East African writers, directors, and performers.

ERIC WAINAINA HELPED RAISE SH 8M IN JARS OF CLAY CHARITY

Kenyan Afro Fusion act Eric Wainaina was among the special surprise guests that were performing at the concert organized by American Christian group Jars of Clay.



The charity event took place on May 10 where over 1200 people converged at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, USA to celebrate the 1000 communities and over 600,000 people that now have safe water in Africa.



Dubbed the Well: Done Celebration, the concert was held in honour of the successful completion of the 1,000 Wells Project. The event raised over Sh 8m ($100,000) and brought praises from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam who was on hand for the celebration. Accompanied by the Mapinduzi Band and backed by Atemi Ayungi, they performed popular singles like Twende Twende and Sawa Sawa.



Other performers included Brandon Heath, Christopher Williams and Matthew Perryman Jones, HANSON, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and host, Charlie Peacock.
The Blood: Water Mission is an organization that began as the vision of the Grammy winning band Jars of Clay to provide safe water for various African communities.

ERIC WAINAINA HELPED RAISE SH 8M IN JARS OF CLAY CHARITY

Kenyan Afro Fusion act Eric Wainaina was among the special surprise guests that were performing at the concert organized by American Christian group Jars of Clay.



The charity event took place on May 10 where over 1200 people converged at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, USA to celebrate the 1000 communities and over 600,000 people that now have safe water in Africa.



Dubbed the Well: Done Celebration, the concert was held in honour of the successful completion of the 1,000 Wells Project. The event raised over Sh 8m ($100,000) and brought praises from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam who was on hand for the celebration. Accompanied by the Mapinduzi Band and backed by Atemi Ayungi, they performed popular singles like Twende Twende and Sawa Sawa.



Other performers included Brandon Heath, Christopher Williams and Matthew Perryman Jones, HANSON, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and host, Charlie Peacock.
The Blood: Water Mission is an organization that began as the vision of the Grammy winning band Jars of Clay to provide safe water for various African communities.

ERIC FILES SUIT OVER THE PATERNITY OF VALERIE’S SON

Things are heating up as both Eric Wainaina and Valerie Kimani prepare for a court case over the paternity of Valerie’s son.
Eric has filed a suit on Wednesday January, 19, at the High Court in Nairobi court to try and force Valerie to conduct a DNA test on the baby boy who was born on July 5, 2010 at Aga Khan Hospital.
According to the Weekend Star, The Twende Twende star wants the paternity test before assuming his parental responsibility obligations as set out in the Children’s Act to provide the child with shelter, clothing, medical care, education and give him parental guidance in religious, moral, social and cultural values. “In the event that the paternity test confirms that I am the biological father of the child, I am ready and willing to assume parental responsibility over the child as provided for under the Children’s Act,” says Eric.
In the court papers, Eric insists that her refusal to allow the paternity test has adversely affected his personal life and put a psychological strain on his family. The case is yet to be allocated a hearing date.
The two were romantically linked on stage in a political musical called Mo Faya. The musical was authored by Eric and produced by his wife, Sheba Hirst.
Eric played the Kwa Maji slum star DJ Lwanda and Valerie his love interest in Syombua. The musical was staged at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in September 2009 and at seven sold out-out shows in Nairobi in October 2009.

ERIC FILES SUIT OVER THE PATERNITY OF VALERIE’S SON

Things are heating up as both Eric Wainaina and Valerie Kimani prepare for a court case over the paternity of Valerie’s son.
Eric has filed a suit on Wednesday January, 19, at the High Court in Nairobi court to try and force Valerie to conduct a DNA test on the baby boy who was born on July 5, 2010 at Aga Khan Hospital.
According to the Weekend Star, The Twende Twende star wants the paternity test before assuming his parental responsibility obligations as set out in the Children’s Act to provide the child with shelter, clothing, medical care, education and give him parental guidance in religious, moral, social and cultural values. “In the event that the paternity test confirms that I am the biological father of the child, I am ready and willing to assume parental responsibility over the child as provided for under the Children’s Act,” says Eric.
In the court papers, Eric insists that her refusal to allow the paternity test has adversely affected his personal life and put a psychological strain on his family. The case is yet to be allocated a hearing date.
The two were romantically linked on stage in a political musical called Mo Faya. The musical was authored by Eric and produced by his wife, Sheba Hirst.
Eric played the Kwa Maji slum star DJ Lwanda and Valerie his love interest in Syombua. The musical was staged at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in September 2009 and at seven sold out-out shows in Nairobi in October 2009.

ERIC WAINAINA FEATURING BAABA MAAL LIVE AT THE DOME!

A live concert by Africa’s finest is scheduled on September 28 at the Sarakasi Dome and will feature Eric Wainaina and Senegalese star Baaba Maal.
Eric’s love for music started at a young age. Whilst growing up, he was influenced musically by international artists such as Papa Wemba, Youssou N’Dour, Lokua Kanza and Paul Simon. His career was launched with his debut album, Sawa Sawa, in 2001. Eric first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, an a cappella group. His music is a blend of Kenyan Benga rhythm and East African guitars, with some modern harmony. His notable releases include Kenya Only, a song that instantly made him Kenya’s favourite modern musician.
After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives and the botched 2007 presidential elections, Kenya Only was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide.
Other releases are Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo, his 21- song musical theatre piece, Lwanda, Man of Stone, his album Twende Twende and the musical Mo Faya.
Baaba Maal is a uniquely talented singer from Senegal. Baaba comes from humble beginnings but he has learned and travelled and now speaks and sings of empowerment, enlightenment and peace. Baaba Maal was born in Podor, a town with a population of 6,000, on the banks of the river Senegal that separates the country of the same name from Mauritania. Baaba's family is Hal Pulaar, known in the English speaking world as Fulani. He is not from a Griot family (the hereditary caste of artists and communicators). His father worked in the fields but was also given the honour and responsibility of using songs to call the worshippers to the mosque. Baaba's mother was a musician who sang and wrote her own songs educating her son in the musical forms of the area and encouraging the young Baaba to value intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. He currently is in the international spotlight as one of the world's hottest performers; most of the audiences here will remember him during the 2008 Sawa Sawa Festival edition where he gave an enthralling performance at Arboretum.

ERIC WAINAINA FEATURING BAABA MAAL LIVE AT THE DOME!

A live concert by Africa’s finest is scheduled on September 28 at the Sarakasi Dome and will feature Eric Wainaina and Senegalese star Baaba Maal.
Eric’s love for music started at a young age. Whilst growing up, he was influenced musically by international artists such as Papa Wemba, Youssou N’Dour, Lokua Kanza and Paul Simon. His career was launched with his debut album, Sawa Sawa, in 2001. Eric first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, an a cappella group. His music is a blend of Kenyan Benga rhythm and East African guitars, with some modern harmony. His notable releases include Kenya Only, a song that instantly made him Kenya’s favourite modern musician.
After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives and the botched 2007 presidential elections, Kenya Only was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide.
Other releases are Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo, his 21- song musical theatre piece, Lwanda, Man of Stone, his album Twende Twende and the musical Mo Faya.
Baaba Maal is a uniquely talented singer from Senegal. Baaba comes from humble beginnings but he has learned and travelled and now speaks and sings of empowerment, enlightenment and peace. Baaba Maal was born in Podor, a town with a population of 6,000, on the banks of the river Senegal that separates the country of the same name from Mauritania. Baaba's family is Hal Pulaar, known in the English speaking world as Fulani. He is not from a Griot family (the hereditary caste of artists and communicators). His father worked in the fields but was also given the honour and responsibility of using songs to call the worshippers to the mosque. Baaba's mother was a musician who sang and wrote her own songs educating her son in the musical forms of the area and encouraging the young Baaba to value intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. He currently is in the international spotlight as one of the world's hottest performers; most of the audiences here will remember him during the 2008 Sawa Sawa Festival edition where he gave an enthralling performance at Arboretum.

KENYAN STARS RECORD SONG FOR THE PROMULGATION

On Friday, August 27, Kenya will be celebrating the signing of the new constitution, a milestone in our history.
On the day, a number of Kenyan celebrities will also be part of the promulgation celebrations at Uhuru Park, together with other choirs and traditional dancers.
The celebs who include Jua Cali, Nameless, Amani, Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Owiyo, among others have recorded a song specifically for the day dubbed Oh Kenya, My Kenya.
They were brought together by Afro fusion great Achieng Abura but the idea was conceptualized by Suzanna Owiyo.

KENYAN STARS RECORD SONG FOR THE PROMULGATION

On Friday, August 27, Kenya will be celebrating the signing of the new constitution, a milestone in our history.
On the day, a number of Kenyan celebrities will also be part of the promulgation celebrations at Uhuru Park, together with other choirs and traditional dancers.
The celebs who include Jua Cali, Nameless, Amani, Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Owiyo, among others have recorded a song specifically for the day dubbed Oh Kenya, My Kenya.
They were brought together by Afro fusion great Achieng Abura but the idea was conceptualized by Suzanna Owiyo.

WEDDED BLISS FOR SINGER AND DRUMMER

On Friday July 30, in the evening singer Ruth Karimi Rimbui - back up singer to Afro acts like Kanjii Mbugua - said 'I do' to drummer Henry Wamae at Mavuno Church.
Ruth is also the baby sister to music producer Tim ‘Enovator’ Rimbui and Keyboardist Aaron Rimbui. while Wamae is Eric Wainaina's drummer.
Performances at the wedding were from Eric Wainiana and DJ Moz, who was the official DJ.
Coincidentally, it was the brides birthday as well and she was presented with a birthday cake. The wedding cake was music themed with pieces of it shaped as music sheets and drums.

Photos/ Carl Odera

WEDDED BLISS FOR SINGER AND DRUMMER

On Friday July 30, in the evening singer Ruth Karimi Rimbui - back up singer to Afro acts like Kanjii Mbugua - said 'I do' to drummer Henry Wamae at Mavuno Church.
Ruth is also the baby sister to music producer Tim ‘Enovator’ Rimbui and Keyboardist Aaron Rimbui. while Wamae is Eric Wainaina's drummer.
Performances at the wedding were from Eric Wainiana and DJ Moz, who was the official DJ.
Coincidentally, it was the brides birthday as well and she was presented with a birthday cake. The wedding cake was music themed with pieces of it shaped as music sheets and drums.

Photos/ Carl Odera

ERIC WAINAINA POSTPONES ALBUM LAUNCH

Afro fusion act Eric Wainaina has changed the dates for launching his album Love and Protest due to ‘unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances’.
According to his Facebook page, Eric posted an update on Monday informing his fans that the launch dates have had to change. “So ladies and gentlemen let's mark our calendars for the 10th, 11th and 12th of September instead. Hope to see you all there!”

MUSICIANS TO FIGHT FOR MAU FOREST

A number of Kenyan acts inconjuction with Refuge (Restoring Forests for Future Generations), will hold a fundraising to support the re-education and planting of indigenous seedlings in the Mau Forest.
The function dubbed Unleash the ‘G’ Mavuno Eco-Festival will be held at the Mavuno Dome, Belle on Saturday August 22, from 2pm to 10pm.
This festival will provide a platform where Kenyan entertainers will address the national environmental crisis that has gripped the nation, starting with the restoration of the Mau Forest.
The event aims to replant more than 100 million indigenous seedlings and train 50,000 local farmers and school children on the value of reforestation over the next 14 years from the funds raised.
Charges will be Sh200 before 4pm and Sh300 thereafter.
Artistes expected to be performing include Eric Wainaina, Aaron Rimbui, Kanjii, Muthoni Ndonga and Afrizo (in their first local performance in years). The Jua Kali drummers, a world class musical troupe, who will be returning from a tour of Italy.
The evening event will be highlighted by an appearance by the National Sevens team and the raffle draw.
The day long Eco-Festival is organised by Dr. Mukuria Mwangi, founder of Refuge and cultural anthropologist.

Berklee to Audition and Interview Kenyan Musicians

Berklee College of Music, the world's leading institution for the study of contemporary music, will be holding audition and interview (A&I) events in Kenya as part of its Africa Scholars Program, offering talented musicians the chance to be awarded scholarships to attend the college. The college inaugurated the Africa Scholars Program with A&I events in Accra Ghana, and Durban, South Africa in the summer of 2008. Those resulted in $1.4 million in scholarships being awarded to 26 musicians, including a four-year scholarship covering full tuition and room and board.

The auditions, open to citizens of any African nation, will be conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 2 and 3, at the Brookhouse School. For more information or to apply, visit berklee.edu/scholarships/africa .

Eric Wainaina, artistic director at the Brookhouse School and a Berklee alumnus, is hosting Berklee’s visit and plans several events to give area musicians the opportunity to learn from faculty and alumni. Auditioning musicians and area school groups are being invited to clinics and master classes on June 4 and 5 at the Brookhouse School. Said Ron Savage, chair of the Ensemble Department, who is heading the auditions, “These events offer a stronger connection to the host institution and lets us introduce students to the Berklee arena. They also allow us to learn more about them, which is very important. We hope to interact with Kenyan musicians in a meaningful exchange.”

A roundtable discussion with Berklee faculty and local educators about music education is also planned. The Brookhouse School appointed Wainaina last year to start a performance academy and he’s hoping to exchange ideas with other educators about curriculum and the challenges facing schools in Kenya and other parts of East Africa. Said Wainaina, “Schools in Kenya run the gamut from high quality, to schools in the slums that have music programs but can't afford to put windows in the school building. I’d like to discuss how different schools deal with their economic circumstances and what some of the solutions can be.”

Club Afrique in Westlands, Nairobi, will also host a Berklee night during Wainaina’s weekly gig on Thursday, June 4, at 8:00 p.m. Faculty, alumni, and invited guests will perform along with Eric Wainaina and the Mapinduzi Band. The show is open to the public.

Eric Wainaina in Club Afrique

 
This year, Afro Fussion act plans to play 52 shows at Museum Hill club Afrique. He will be on every Thursday from  8pm-11pm
fee-400/=
Eevery week he will feature different curtain raisers, from the likes of Chizi, Kaz, Sauti Sol, Ma3, Acref and Elani.