Bayimba to groove to local hip-hop
Sep 18, 2011
IN its fourth installation taking place throughout this weekend at the National Theatre, the Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts has proved one thing — Uganda can still hold an annual festival of international repute.
By Emmanuel Ssejjengo
IN its fourth installation taking place throughout this weekend at the National Theatre, the Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts has proved one thing — Uganda can still hold an annual festival of international repute.
It has succeeded where others like Kwetu (organised by Ndere Troupe) and Kampala Jazz Festival have failed.
Its success has not relied on the green-eyed monster that popularity is. The organisers have steered away from the populist artistes and genres like Afro pop. It has been consistent with the high quality of performances and has savoured tricky genres like world music.
This weekend, there is a focus on a form of Hip-Hop that is both indigenous and youthful. A special stage has been built for it and performances by Navio, Rachael Magoola and the Kampala Music Symphony are some of those to look out for.
We shall have classical music fused with improvised hip-hop; moralistic traditional sounds fused with the laid back of R&B — stuff of miracle workers basically! Such are the various sounds that will emanate from the two stages set up for the music.
This fourth edition has also concentrated on contemporary theatre in terms of sketch comedy shows by Theatre Factory, poetry recitals by Lantern Meet of Poets and the mobile street theatre performances.
Uganda National Contemporary Dance, Keiga Dance Company and Yuttah Convicts will headline this year’s contemporary dance concerts. On board also are eight foreign artistes that will perform during the three-day festival.
Visual art, photo exhibitions and fashion shows will provide the icing on the cake for the festival.
Cake Festival Uganda will however, provide real free cake throughout the festival. All activities kick off at midday.
Entry is free, but to make the best of it, you need to regularly refer to the programme at the auditorium’s entrance because events will happen concurrently.
IN its fourth installation taking place throughout this weekend at the National Theatre, the Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts has proved one thing — Uganda can still hold an annual festival of international repute.
It has succeeded where others like Kwetu (organised by Ndere Troupe) and Kampala Jazz Festival have failed.
Its success has not relied on the green-eyed monster that popularity is. The organisers have steered away from the populist artistes and genres like Afro pop. It has been consistent with the high quality of performances and has savoured tricky genres like world music.
This weekend, there is a focus on a form of Hip-Hop that is both indigenous and youthful. A special stage has been built for it and performances by Navio, Rachael Magoola and the Kampala Music Symphony are some of those to look out for.
We shall have classical music fused with improvised hip-hop; moralistic traditional sounds fused with the laid back of R&B — stuff of miracle workers basically! Such are the various sounds that will emanate from the two stages set up for the music.
This fourth edition has also concentrated on contemporary theatre in terms of sketch comedy shows by Theatre Factory, poetry recitals by Lantern Meet of Poets and the mobile street theatre performances.
Uganda National Contemporary Dance, Keiga Dance Company and Yuttah Convicts will headline this year’s contemporary dance concerts. On board also are eight foreign artistes that will perform during the three-day festival.
Visual art, photo exhibitions and fashion shows will provide the icing on the cake for the festival.
Cake Festival Uganda will however, provide real free cake throughout the festival. All activities kick off at midday.
Entry is free, but to make the best of it, you need to regularly refer to the programme at the auditorium’s entrance because events will happen concurrently.