Divas support AIDS orphans
Jun 05, 2003
The concert kicked off late and in low key. The audience, seating by Hotel Africana’s Pool deck, was too laid back. So, female artists had once again rallied in a musical coalition
By Raphael Okello
The concert kicked off late and in low key. The audience, seating by Hotel Africana’s Pool deck, was too laid back. So, female artists had once again rallied in a musical coalition.
Frankly, It wasn’t one of the most vibrant shows I have attended but it was entertaining, emotionally involving and good for the cause.
This time round, it wasn’t the usual challenge showcase in which female artists struggle to prove that they can do just as well as the men. On the contrary, it was a concert that highlighted the gentle touch of women and their compassion and willingness to comfort the neglected children orphaned by and living with HIV/AIDS.
It was called Akatuuso K’abakyala – Women’s Party — the women who are the mothers of the nation.
That is why I will be polite and deliberately tiptoe past the negative displays. I will not say anything about the poor sound quality, amateur performances somewhere deep in the show and incoherent mimes by some artists who tried to fool the audience.
From the old time local music maestros to contemporary local youthful artists, a colourful blend of music genres that swept across generations was woven.
It was a cold night in which Western and African tradition cooed.
With her traditional Kiganda dancing patterns of vibrant waist and butt gyration, Sauda Nakakawa brought out the enduring rustic charm of kadongo kamu.
Punching her performance with fluid seductive mellow drama and hilarious lyrics, Phoebe Nasolo sang her popular radio hit Kwata Wanno.
Other popular hit songs performed were Jimmu wange by Joanita Kawalya, Ekimbewo and Dembe by Halima Namakula, Ssegwanga o’bade otya and makanika wange by Titi and Lovu eyo kuvuganya by Irene Namatovu among other songs. The highlight of the show was when some artists combined to thrill the audience with a’magundu dance – a Kiganda dance.
Halima Namakula, Joanita Kawalya, Mariam Ndagire, Titi, Sophie Gombia and several others compelled high profile guests at the concert to take up the dance floor – Capt. Mike Mukula, Mayor Ssebaana Kizito, and Former Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe inclusive.
Female artists, together with a group of orphans, called out for society’s mercy and in an emotional composition entitled Watoto Wa Mungu. Each adult musician sang a verse in this song about abused, suffering and starved children.
In chorus, the little children’s voices rippled through the chilly night, crying out to society: “Don’t kill us kids, don’t kill our mothers, have mercy on us.â€
The concert was organised by the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Council leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa (AMCAAL) in conjunction with No-End Productions and co-sponsored by CBS, Nile breweries, Coca-Cola and MTN among others.
The fund-raising concert was a joyous and fulfiling night of music and innovation by women to use their art in championing a noble cause.
The concert kicked off late and in low key. The audience, seating by Hotel Africana’s Pool deck, was too laid back. So, female artists had once again rallied in a musical coalition.
Frankly, It wasn’t one of the most vibrant shows I have attended but it was entertaining, emotionally involving and good for the cause.
This time round, it wasn’t the usual challenge showcase in which female artists struggle to prove that they can do just as well as the men. On the contrary, it was a concert that highlighted the gentle touch of women and their compassion and willingness to comfort the neglected children orphaned by and living with HIV/AIDS.
It was called Akatuuso K’abakyala – Women’s Party — the women who are the mothers of the nation.
That is why I will be polite and deliberately tiptoe past the negative displays. I will not say anything about the poor sound quality, amateur performances somewhere deep in the show and incoherent mimes by some artists who tried to fool the audience.
From the old time local music maestros to contemporary local youthful artists, a colourful blend of music genres that swept across generations was woven.
It was a cold night in which Western and African tradition cooed.
With her traditional Kiganda dancing patterns of vibrant waist and butt gyration, Sauda Nakakawa brought out the enduring rustic charm of kadongo kamu.
Punching her performance with fluid seductive mellow drama and hilarious lyrics, Phoebe Nasolo sang her popular radio hit Kwata Wanno.
Other popular hit songs performed were Jimmu wange by Joanita Kawalya, Ekimbewo and Dembe by Halima Namakula, Ssegwanga o’bade otya and makanika wange by Titi and Lovu eyo kuvuganya by Irene Namatovu among other songs. The highlight of the show was when some artists combined to thrill the audience with a’magundu dance – a Kiganda dance.
Halima Namakula, Joanita Kawalya, Mariam Ndagire, Titi, Sophie Gombia and several others compelled high profile guests at the concert to take up the dance floor – Capt. Mike Mukula, Mayor Ssebaana Kizito, and Former Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe inclusive.
Female artists, together with a group of orphans, called out for society’s mercy and in an emotional composition entitled Watoto Wa Mungu. Each adult musician sang a verse in this song about abused, suffering and starved children.
In chorus, the little children’s voices rippled through the chilly night, crying out to society: “Don’t kill us kids, don’t kill our mothers, have mercy on us.â€
The concert was organised by the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Council leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa (AMCAAL) in conjunction with No-End Productions and co-sponsored by CBS, Nile breweries, Coca-Cola and MTN among others.
The fund-raising concert was a joyous and fulfiling night of music and innovation by women to use their art in championing a noble cause.