First Bayimba International festival on
Jun 19, 2008
FOR Ugandans with so much self-praise about being musical and possessing natural rhythm, it has been a shame that we have not had many international music festivals. Only the Kwetu Festival, that takes place every four years, was worth mention.
By Vision Reporter
FOR Ugandans with so much self-praise about being musical and possessing natural rhythm, it has been a shame that we have not had many international music festivals. Only the Kwetu Festival, that takes place every four years, was worth mention.
But with the first edition of the Bayimba International Music Festival running throughout this weekend, Uganda can rightly have a claim to music greatness. The festival takes place at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds Lugogo.
And, nothing has been spared to give the festival the clout and meaning that it deserves.
Senegalese hip-hop star Didier Awadi (winner of Radio Internationale World Music Award 2003) will perform tonight. Local hip-hop artistes like Bavubuka All Starz will also feature.
The closing night, also dedicated to world music, will feature Congolese celebrated veteran Papa Wemba. Yunasi from Kenya and local talent, Tshila, will also perform.
The second day of the festival is dedicated to reggae music and the Inyanje Best Sounds from Rwanda will perform alongside Uganda’s Blood Brothers. Entrance fee is sh10,000, with gates opening at 10:00am.
Prior to the performances are seven days of workshops under the theme, Understanding Who We Are.
“The festival will be dynamic and exciting.
The participants will fuse traditional African rhythms with hip-hop and contemporary music,†says Faisal Kiwewa, the executive director of the festival.
There will be an exhibition throughout the festival, with various items including art pieces, crafts and fashion designs.
To say that this is only a music festival is to put it lightly. This is an arts festival.
FOR Ugandans with so much self-praise about being musical and possessing natural rhythm, it has been a shame that we have not had many international music festivals. Only the Kwetu Festival, that takes place every four years, was worth mention.
But with the first edition of the Bayimba International Music Festival running throughout this weekend, Uganda can rightly have a claim to music greatness. The festival takes place at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds Lugogo.
And, nothing has been spared to give the festival the clout and meaning that it deserves.
Senegalese hip-hop star Didier Awadi (winner of Radio Internationale World Music Award 2003) will perform tonight. Local hip-hop artistes like Bavubuka All Starz will also feature.
The closing night, also dedicated to world music, will feature Congolese celebrated veteran Papa Wemba. Yunasi from Kenya and local talent, Tshila, will also perform.
The second day of the festival is dedicated to reggae music and the Inyanje Best Sounds from Rwanda will perform alongside Uganda’s Blood Brothers. Entrance fee is sh10,000, with gates opening at 10:00am.
Prior to the performances are seven days of workshops under the theme, Understanding Who We Are.
“The festival will be dynamic and exciting.
The participants will fuse traditional African rhythms with hip-hop and contemporary music,†says Faisal Kiwewa, the executive director of the festival.
There will be an exhibition throughout the festival, with various items including art pieces, crafts and fashion designs.
To say that this is only a music festival is to put it lightly. This is an arts festival.