For the Love of Food
Get ready for the mouthwatering, taste-bud-bombing food event of the year!! For the Love of Food is an internationally themed food festival, showcasing some of the best cuisine from around the world, with live music, dance, performances and much more!
VENUE: Sarius Palmetum Botanical Gardens, along IBB Boulevard, Maitama, Abuja
DATE: 7th of May, 2016.
Gate ticket is N1,000 only
For the Love of Food, powered by Diageo Brands.
The Lagos International Jazz Festival 2015
‘Jazz In The Megacity’
Tomorrow Thursday April 30th 2015 – May 2nd 2015<-
At Freedom Park Lagos
Tickets 1000Naira ONLY
Leading the pack are Nigerian-born United Kingdom-based two-time Grammy Award winning mega-percussionist Lekan Babalola; United States-based multi–instrumentalist Adeniji the ‘Heavywind’; Bass virtuoso and director of the Span Academy of Jazz and Contemporary Music, Bright Gain; veteran musician and classical clarinetist Tee Mac; vocal sensation Ego and neo-highlife musical icon Nomoreloss amongst a long list of other accomplished and upcoming musicians.
Various genres of music ranging from traditional Jazz, Naijazz, Afrojazz, Fuji, Afrobeat, Apala, Highlife and Naija-Hiphop will all be represented on 5 stages named after prominent Nigerian musical icons of blessed memory namely the Fela Kuti, Elder Steve Rhodes, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Osita Osadebe
“Africa does not tell her stories enough. The fact that this one man who saved the lives of millions of Africans is largely unknown is a problem. I tell this story now because it does not exist in the stories we tell of Africans solving their own problems…”
The Maitisong Festival 2015 is an arts and culture extravaganza that’s taking Gaborone by storm for the rest of this week (22nd – 26th April). Among the amazingly talented performing acts is the unstoppable Donald Molosi who leads a stellar cast in the production of his award winning play Today It’s Me on the 25th. We were lucky enough to steal Donald away from his hectic schedule for a little chit-chat. Enjoy!
Tell us about your participation in the Maitisong 2015 festival? How did you get involved? Was it a contest, special selection?
I am elated to be performing at the Maitisong Festival 2015 as a headline act. I submitted my work like any artist and then the Director later informed me that they would be leading the theatre aspect of the festival with my show, Today It’s Me.
How has the public’s reacted to the festival?
The public loves this festival and its staying power 30 years later stands as testament to that. Batswana love seeing many different arts in one place so Maitisong festival provides exactly that. In a way, my show Today It’s Me is a microcosm of the festival in that my show has movement, dance, theatre, acting and live music.
You’ll be performing your award winning play Today It’s Me on the 25th of April, tell us about it.
Today It’s Me is a biographical story I wrote about Philly Lutaaya, the first prominent African to declare that he was living with AIDS. The play explores his courage, musical legacy and struggle from a humanist angle that leaves the audience very inspired and encouraged.
Why this play? What informed its choice for this festival?
Africa does not tell her stories enough. The fact that this one man who saved the lives of millions of Africans is largely unknown is a problem. I tell this story now because it does not exist in the stories we tell of Africans solving their own problems without the problematic intervention of the West. I have not performed in Botswana since three years ago when I performed Sir Seretse Khama’s story so this is an opportunity for me to show what else I can do.
How challenging has it been embodying Philly Lutaaya?
This is so far the hardest role I have taken on. I had to learn Luganda, both language and culture, and also do research in languages I did not know before. I spent years looking through photographs of his, listening to and dissecting his music, speaking with his family and truly beginning to embody him before I wrote the play. It has been a wonderful 5 year journey with his story so far and I look forward to it getting out more.
In performance actors always seek to reveal layers of truth about their characters. Is the pressure to do this amplified when the character is a historical figure?
Pressure is not what I call it. I just call it basic work. Every character must be given the privilege to exist off-stage so that whatever you perform is a slice of a full life. With real historical characters, that work is even more crucial because you are more consciously creating an oral or performative archive about a people’s story. I enjoy every bit of it and it makes me a better human being to know so intimately the legends on whose shoulders we all stand on.
Your body of work reveals an affinity for historical African figures in your dramaturgy, and we must say it is always brilliant to see someone representing an aspect of the African continent that doesn’t get enough mainstream exposure. How has this focus on historical figures affected you as an artist and an African?
Thank you for seeing value in my obsession with African history and having it color my acting work. Too many Africans self-hate without realizing and those are the ones who ignorantly ask me why I tell African stories. So, it is refreshing and encouraging to hear you call my choice “brilliant.” Through my niche I have created a unique identity for myself in Hollywood, Broadway and at home in Botswana. I am a brand that is lucidly understood because the thread of African history runs through all my work. As a human being I have evolved a lot from learning about our communal human ancestors and seeking to live my life in honor of their efforts that in the 21st century I can be on Broadway telling an African story.
How impactful are events like the Maitisong festival on Botswana’s arts and culture scene? Would you say they demonstrate the economic potential of arts and culture in Africa?
Maitisong unites artists that ordinarily don’t cross paths so the networking aspect of the festival must be stated. It is a hub of activity that university students can use for internships and the like, so the festival goes beyond just thrilling audiences. It takes its social responsibility seriously as a gateway to international arts markets. Maitisong does not demonstrate our potential. Rather, it demonstrates our excellence in its fullest glory. I am past the days of celebrating potential and I celebrate excellence because excellent is what I want to always be.
The festival is only a few days away and preparing for it must have been a challenging but exciting journey. What has left the biggest imprint on you, thus far?
I have been fortunate to be working with amazing actors. I will always be grateful to be in such good company and to perform alongside Kgomotso Tshwenyego and Donn Swaby, both of them international actors of note. I am truly grateful and inspired especially that I am doing what I think is the hardest role of my acting life!
Announcement from the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA) regarding Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF).
The Council of Academic Heads of Performing Arts Institutions in Nigeria in a joint meeting held at the Benue State University on 5th June, 2013, with Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Students Association (NUTASA) President, NUTASA Board of Trustees and SONTA President have approved August 12-17th as the new date for NUTAF 2013.
This followed consideration of the reports of clashes of the old date with exams of 3 institutions and the pending ASUU strike. All branch institutions are kindly requested to note the change please.
The Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF) has announced its return to the theatre academia scene with an invitation to a whooping 37 Universities nationwide.
Following a 7 year hiatus the event is being revamped with Nasarawa State University, Keffi, playing host to hundreds of students from departments of performing arts around the country.
In the past NUTAF was considered the “olympics” of performing arts activities in academia, attracting the support of established Nigerian actors, theatre practitioners, film makers, and more.
The event was last hosted by the University of Jos, Plateau state, in 2006. This year Nasarawa State University, Keffi will be hosting the event from 14th – 20th July, 2013. To all young thespians we say, get out there and have a theatrical blast! The renaissance is well alive!
NUTAF 2013: INVITED NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
These are the 37 Universities invited to participate at NUTAF 2013:
FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES (16)
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka
University of Nigeria Nsukka
University of Ibadan, Ibadan
University of Benin, Benin
University of Calabar, Caliber
University of Jos, Jos
University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
University of Ilorin, Ilorin
University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt
University of Lagos, Akoka-Lagos
University of Uyo, Uyo
University of Maiduguri, MAiduguri
Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti
Federal University,Otuoke, Otuoke
STATE UNIVERSITIES (15)
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Benue State University, Makurdi
Plateau State University, Bokkos
Niger Delta University
Imo State University, Owerri
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Aguoye
Lagos State University,
Delta State University
Ambrose Ali University
Kogi State University
Osun State University
Akwa-Ibom State University
Ekiti State University
Kwara State University
Kaduna State University
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES (6)
Redeemer’s University, Mowe
Igbinedion University, Okada Benin city
Bowen University, Iwo, Osun state
Afe Babalola University, Edo-Ekiti
Obong University
Western Delta University, Oghara
Good things happening for African theatre! Follow this link:
http://www.britishcouncil.org.ng/british-councils-lagos-theatre-festival-holds-this-february
Keep in touch with the festival: @lagostheatre13
The photo experience of a communal celebration through the lens of photographer Paul Gimba
When African drums boom we can’t help but move. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Can you move like Africans move? (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Carnival in Calabar or carnival on Mars. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Pride of Benin
Little African angels. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Wickedly winding waists. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Black, white and spectacular. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Carnival is… colour. Colour. Colour. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Alice would feel right at home in Calabar Wonderland. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
The blazing petals of celebration. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Madame of the dance. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Dance, lady! Dance! (Photo by Paul Gimba)
Gongs of glory (Photo by Paul Gimba)
An experience capped off with spectacle. (Photo by Paul Gimba)
To wrap up 2012 we have delightful pictures of modern design traditional African architecture as displayed at the 2012 National Festival (NAFEST) in Nigeria. All photos taken by Africa Ukoh.
Niger State: the Power state
Bayelsa State
Rivers State: Treasure Base of the Nation
Kebbi State: Land of Equity
Kebbi State
Benue State: Food Basket of the Nation
Benue State
Ogun State: Gateway State
Ogun state
Ogun state
Nasarawa State: Home of Solid Minerals
Nasarawa State
Kano State: Centre of Commerce
Kano State
Akwa Ibom State: Land of Promise
Akwa Ibom State
Niger State: the Power State
The African Renaissance 