Jan - Feb
2020
Arts & CULTURe
Agenda
January| Janvier
Wed. 22 January
Mon. 13 January
Showcase Wednesday | 7pm | Free Entry Brian Sigu
CinemAlliance | 6pm ‘Blanche comme neige’ by Anne Fontaine Claire, a beautiful young woman, arouses the jealousy of her stepmother, who hires someone to kill her. Saved at the last minute by a mysterious man, Claire moves to his village, where she causes quite a stir: one, two, and soon seven men fall under her charm.
16 - 26 January Creative Millennials . 6th March anMon exhibition by final yr students and alumni of Kenyatta University’s Dept. of Fine Art & Design
24 - 26 January
Hihinya Ihuha | Kikuyu Comedy Fanaka Arts Theatre | 800/Sat. 25 January Mbogi ya Mawriters | 2pm | Free Entry Vincent de Paul presents his latest book ‘Inevitable Desires’ Mon. 27 January CinemAlliance | 6pm ‘Les by Vincent Mariette 19 -Fauves’ 21 January Thu. 30 January La Nuit des Idées | 6.30pm | Free Entry Launch of the anthology ‘Nairobi Noir’
F IC T ION / M YST E RY • A T R A DE PA PE R BAC K O R IGI NA L
NAIROBI NOIR
Nairobi Noir is an act of excavation, rediscovering the city’s ossified past and infusing life to preserve it for future generations. It is also an act of celebration, reminding readers of the brilliance of the best-known writers to emerge from this part of the world, and heralding the birth of new writers whose gifts, we can safely predict, will shine brightly in the years ahead.
PETER KIMANI
Although the range of issues explored in Nairobi Noir is as diverse as its contributors, it all gestures toward a common theme. In this concrete jungle, the hunters and herders live on. As do the hunted . . .
EDITED BY
The oldest writer in this anthology is eighty-one, the youngest is only twenty-four; if there is any inference one can draw from this demographic it is that this anthology offers an entire spectrum of Kenyan writing: the past, present, and future. If we can allow one extravagant claim, a collection of this nature is unprecedented in Kenya’s literary history.
NAIROBI
Akashic Books continues its award-winning series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with BROOKLYN NOIR. Each book comprises all new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the respective city. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o anchors this truly fascinating first East African installment in the Akashic Noir Series.
— P E T E R K I M A N I , from the introduction
Mon. 20 January
B R A N D - N E W S T O R I E S BY: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Stanley Gazemba, Ngumi Kibera, Peter Kimani, Winfred Kiunga, Kinyanjui Kombani, Caroline Mose, Kevin Mwachiro, Wanjikũ wa Ngũgĩ, Faith Oneya, Makena Onjerika, Troy Onyango, J.E. Sibi-Okumu, and Rasna Warah. C OVE R P HOTO: B O N I FAC E M WA N G I C O V E R D E S I G N : A A R O N P E T R OV I C H
CinemAlliance | 6pm ‘Jessica Forever’ by C. Poggi & J. Vinel
U S $15.95 ISBN: 978-1-61775-754-9
EDITED BY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK TWITTER: @AKASHICBOOKS FACEBOOK: AKASHICBOOKS WWW.AKASHICBOOKS.COM
AKB560 NS100
PETER KIMANI
N GUGI WA THION G’O ♦ MAKENA ONJERIKA ♦ RASNA WARAH STANLEY GAZEMBA ♦ KINYANJUI KOMBANI ♦ AND OTHERS
Edited by Peter Kimani Brand-new stories by: Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Stanley Gazemba, Ngumi Kibera, Peter Kimani, Winfred Kiunga, Kinyanjui Kombani, Caroline Mose, Kevin Mwachiro, Wanjiku Ngugi, Faith Oneya, Makena Onjerika, Troy Onyango, J.E. Sibi-Okumu and Rasna Warah.
CINEMALLIANCE Every Monday @ 6pm, Free Entry All films in English or with English subtitles From 16 Jan. to 16 Feb. watch the best of new-generation French films online and vote for your favorite film. The CinemAlliance programme will screen three feature films in competition and 4 shorts from 20 Jan. to 10 Feb.
LES CONFINS DU MONDE (TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD) by Guillaume Nicloux 3 Feb. | 2018 | Drama | 1h43 The film follows a tormented French soldier in the 1940s Indochina. Robert, a young private survives a horrible massacre that leaves his brother and sister-in-law dead. He joins a French military unit to take revenge on a Viet Minh commander behind the killing of his family. Short films 10 Feb. | 2019 | Drama | 1h32
Feature films JESSICA FOREVER by Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel 20 Jan. | 2018 | Drama | 1h37 A lightly futuristic story of Jessica, bold leader and den mother to an adopted gang of militaristic, orphaned teenage boys. Jessica commandeers an abandoned house on an island as a fortress against the horde of drones sent to assassinate them.
BY A HAIR | 2018 by Lauriane Escaffre and Yvonnick Muller
DIVERSION | 2018 by Mathieu Mégémont
LES FAUVES (SAVAGE) by Vincent Mariette 27 Jan. | 2018 | Thriller | 1h23 A semi-horror film. Somewhere in Dordogne young people disappear. Laura, on holiday there, seeks to unravel the mystery.
DUE WEST | 2019 by Alice Douard
AHMED’S SONG | 2018 by Faoed Mansour
EXHIBITION
CREATIVE MILLENNIALS
Creative millennials is an art movement of upcoming and practicing artists, made up of alumni and final year students of the Department of Fine Art and Design of Kenyatta University.
Creative millennials est un mouvement artistique composé d’anciens étudiants et d’étudiants de dernière année du département des beaux-arts et design de l’Université Kenyatta.
Led by Andrew Chege, winner of the 1st Prize at the 2019 Manjano Exhibition (organized by the Godown Arts Centre), the group comprises of Zephaniah Lukwamba, Joseph Makau, Edna Taabu, Otto Gohole, Moses Sabayi, Elam Yabish, Margaret Sherie, Martin Musyoka, Philip Oyuga and Elisabeth Kiambi.
Dirigé par Andrew Chege, lauréat du 1er prix de l’exposition Manjano 2019 (organisée par le Godown Arts Centre), le groupe est composé de Zephaniah Lukwamba, Joseph Makau, Edna Taabu, Otto Gohole, Moses Sabayi, Elam Yabish, Margaret Sherie, Martin Musyoka, Philip Oyuga et Elisabeth Kiambi.
The Alliance Française continues to provide opportunities to young artists to show their works and grow their art.
L’Alliance Française continue à soutenir les jeunes artistes dans la promotion de leur créativité.
16 - 26 Jan. | FREE ENTRY
CONCERT
BRIAN SIGU Brian Sigu taught himself music at a tender age finding inspiration from his grandfather. Over the years he has perfected his art by singing with various bands since leaving high school. His Afro fused rhythms delivered with passion and energetic intensity result in a captivating performance. Sigu has performed on different platforms across the country, including at the Ongea Eastern African Music Summit, the Africa Nouveau Festival and has toured extensively throughout Europe.
Wed.822 Jan. | 7PM | 7pm Free|Entry WED. - 28 January FREE ENTRY
La nuit des idées
BEING ALIVE
The ‘Night of Ideas’ is an annual event, initiated by the Institut Français, the French Agency for International Cultural Relations, to share ideas and knowledge around topical issues and across different platforms.
La ‘Nuit des idées’ est un événement annuel initié par l’Institut Français. L’objectif est de partager des idées et des connaissances autour de questions d’actualité sous diverses formes.
This year the theme is ‘Being Alive’, inviting reflection and discussion on what it means to be alive and live meaningful lives at a time when humanity is at crossroads with multi-dimensional challenges posed by environmental problems, scientific and technological advances, demographic changes, etc...
Cette année, le thème est « Être vivant «, invitant à la réflexion et à la discussion sur ce que signifie être vivant et vivre une vie qui a du sens à une époque où l’humanité est à la croisée de défis importants posés par les problèmes environnementaux, les avancées scientifiques et technologiques, la pression démographique, etc.
On this day, the Alliance Française will unplug and encourage digital detox in order to put human contact back at the heart of our social relations and reflect together on the meaning of our life.
Ce jour-là, l’Alliance française opérera une détox digitale afin de remettre le contact humain au cœur de nos relations sociales et réfléchir ensemble sur le sens de nos vies.
Thu. 30 Jan.
CAFé LITéRAIRE
nairobi noir BEING ALIVE: THE DARK SIDE OF NAIROBI
Being alive in the metropolis of Nairobi, home to over 4 million people.
Être en vie dans la métropole de Nairobi, qui compte plus de 4 millions d’habitants.
In partnership with the authors and editor of the anthology ‘Nairobi Noir’, published by Akashic Books, we will be launching this unprecedented literary work in Kenya’s history which brings together some of the best-known Kenyan writers. In the words of the editor, Peter Kimani: ‘Nairobi Noir is an act of excavation, rediscovering the city’s ossified past and infusing life to preserve it for future generations’.
En partenariat avec les auteurs et l’éditeur de l’anthologie ‘Nairobi Noir’, publiée par Akashic Books, nous allons lancer cette œuvre littéraire sans précédent dans l’histoire du Kenya, qui réunit certains des écrivains kenyans les plus connus. Selon l’éditeur, Peter Kimani : ‘Nairobi Noir est un acte de fouille, de redécouverte du passé de la ville et d’infusion de la vie pour la préserver pour les générations futures’.
14 brand new stories set in the city’s different neighborhoods offer truth in fiction through the art of storytelling. Performance scholar, Mshai Mwangola, will engage some of the writers in conversation around their contributions to the collection.
14 nouvelles histoires se déroulant dans les différents quartiers de la ville. L’artiste, Mshai Mwangola, engagera une conversation avec les auteurs.
Thu. 30 Jan. | 7pm | FREE ENTRY
February |Fevrier Mon. 3 February
CinemAlliance | 6pm ‘Les Confins du Monde’ by Guillaume Nicloux Wed. 5 February
Showcase Wednesday | 7pm | Free Entry Refuge
Agenda 14 - 16 February Hurunja Mbegú | Kikuyu Comedy Fanaka Arts Theatre | 800/Mon. 17 February
CinemAlliance | 6pm | Comedy ‘Un beau voyou’ by Luc Bernard
6 - 9 February
Commissioner Beffrois, about to retire, has one last case to solve: a string of stolen paintings that are worth far less than your typical heisted masterpiece.
Fri. 7 February
Fri. 21 February
Good for nothing | comedy play Heartstrings Entertainment | 599/Live Graffiti art | 3pm | Free Entry Café Hip Hop | 7pm | Free Entry DJ set with DJ Sims | 9pm | Free Entry Sat. 8 February
Kenya Breaking Battle | 1pm | Free Entry Mon. 10 February
CinemAlliance | 6pm | Short Films ‘Pile Poil’, Plein Ouest, Diversion, Le Chant d’Ahmed 11 - 29 February
Street Diaries III | Free Entry Graffiti art exhibition Thu. 13 February
DuOud | 7pm | Free Entry Oud & Electro music
Thaïs Diarra | 7pm | Free Entry Afro-soul music Mon. 24 February
CinemAlliance | 6pm ‘L’heure de la sortie’ by Sebastien Marnier A substitute teacher discovers that six of his students exert a strange influence over the rest of the school.
Wed. 26 February
Trio Eteness Wassie | 7pm | Free Entry Ethio blues & bass Sat. 29 February Maasai Footsteps | 7pm | 1000/-
Contemporary dance rooted in Maasai traditions
SHOWCASE WEDNESDAY
REFUGE Refuge is a blues rock band made of six students from the International School of Kenya (Patrick, Gabe, Silas, Ben, Teresa and Ike). Their sound is high-energy, guitar-driven rock with strong influences from the classic rock greats of the 60s and 70s. They are determined to promote authentic, righteous and soulful music to a new generation. The band’s youth and diversity is unmissable – members are 13 to 16 years old, multicultural and multilingual, covering four different continents. 100% of their music is written, composed and directed by the band itself, which recently recorded a demo of 9 original songs under the album title ‘Haven to a Heavy Soul’.
WED. 5 feb. | 7pm | FREE ENTRY
TOTAL
HIP-HOP CULTURE
STREET DIARIES III
A celebration of hip-hop culture with graffiti artists, break-dancers and djs.
Une célébration de la culture hip hop avec des graffeurs, des breakdancers et des djs.
Popular Kenyan graffiti artists including Bankslave, Wise Two, Chela, Kerosh, Swift... will take over the Alliance Française - and not under cover of darkness - in a showcase of the hip hop universe: street art, b-boying, deejaying, breakdancing, graffiti.
Des graffeurs kenyans populaires, dont Bankslave, Wise Two, Chela, Kerosh, Swift... prendront possession de l’Alliance Française. Ils opéreront pour une fois dans la lumière et non dans l’obscurité. Dans ce projet, nous offrons une vitrine à l’univers hip hop dans sa totalité: art de rue, b-boying, deejaying, breaking, graff.
On Friday, 7th February starting 2pm, a collective of graffiti artists will show and share their artistic prowess as they piece the Alliance Française walls with their urban expressions.
Le vendredi 7 février à partir de 14h, un collectif de graffeurs montrera et partagera son savoir faire en recouvrant les murs de l’Alliance Française d’expressions urbaines.
7 - 29 Feb. | FREE ENTRY
HIP HOP CAFé & DJ SET
B-BOY LILOU & DJ SIMS
In advance of the first ever international b-boy/bgirl battle in Nairobi, this Hip Hop Café will host the legendary Algerian-French break-dancer, B-Boy Lilou, twice winner of the Redbull BC One World championship. Through a documentary capturing his career and encounters with other break-dancers and cultures, b-boy Lilou will share his passion for breakdancing.
En prévision de la toute premier ‘battle’ internationale de b-boy/b-girl à Nairobi, ce Hip Hop Café mettra en vedette le légendaire danseur de break dance franco-algérien, B-Boy Lilou, deux fois gagnant du championnat du monde Redbull BC One. A travers un documentaire retraçant sa carrière, ses rencontres avec d’autres breakdancers et cultures, B-Boy Lilou partagera sa passion pour le breakdance.
The evening will continue with DJ Sims, a French DJ known for sampling some of the the greatest French and American rap tracks. A skilled turntablist, DJ Sims regularly produces programmes for Radio Nova and has a huge following for videos of his samples on social media.
La soirée se poursuivra à partir de 21h avec DJ Sims, acteur français incontournable du sampling des plus grands titres de rap français et américains. Il est reconnu pour sa virtuosité aux platines vinyles et pour ses chroniques sur Radio Nova et les réseaux sociaux.
FRI. 7 Feb. | 7pm | Free EnTry
Breaking battle
FLOOR RIPPERS
The Alliance Française de Nairobi will be hosting the first edition of an international b-boy/b-girl battle in collaboration with Floor Rippers (France) , judged by B-Boy Lilou, the Boss of Breakdancing, B-Girl Vanessa, winner of the 2019 Red Bull BC One UK Cypher and the Kenyan champ B-Boy Slim, with the French DJ One Up behind the decks.
L’Alliance Française de Nairobi accueillera la première édition d’un combat international bboy/ bgirl en collaboration avec Floor Rippers (France), jugé par B-Boy Lilou, le Boss du Breakdancing, B-Girl Vanessa, gagnante du Red Bull BC One UK Cypher 2019 et le champion kenyan B-Boy Slim, avec le DJ français One Up derrière les platines.
Organized in two categories 2 vs 2 (all ages) and 1 vs 1 (under 16yrs), registration opens at 1pm with the competition starting at 3pm. The best 2 Kenyan break-dancers, selected by B-Boy Lilou, will attend the 2020 International Battle de Vaulx near Lyon, France in April. Breakdance will make its debut as an Official Olympic Sport at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. Here’s a chance for Kenyan break-dancers to raise their game.
Organisé en deux catégories 2 contre 2 (tous âges) et 1 contre 1 (moins de 16 ans), les inscriptions ouvrent à 13h et la compétition commence à 15h. Les 2 meilleurs breakdancers kenyans, sélectionnés par B-Boy Lilou, assisteront au concours international de Vaulx 2020 en France, en avril. Le breakdance fera ses débuts en tant que sport olympique officiel aux Jeux Olympiques de 2024 à Paris.
Sat. 8 Feb. | 1pm | Free EnTry
oud & electro
DUOUD
DuOud consists of two oud-playing Parisians who combine their North African heritage with the latest in Western technology.
DuOud est composé de deux parisiens qui jouent au oud et qui combinent leur héritage nord-africain avec les dernières technologies de la musique électronique.
Jean-Pierre Smadja is Tunisian by birth and trained as a jazz musician and Mehdi Haddab was born in Algiers and is a master of the classical oud.
Jean-Pierre Smadja est Tunisien de naissance et a une formation de musicien de jazz. Mehdi Haddab est né à Alger et est un maître du oud classique.
The duo delivers an interpretation that is inspired by contemporary music - break beats, jazz grooves and metal guitar - but rooted in North African music. Thanks to Smadj’s technical expertise and Mehdi Haddab’s virtuoso performances, the winners of the 2003 BBC - Radio 3 World Music Awards will offer music that oscillates between groove and emotion.
Le duo livre une interprétation qui puise dans les racines musicales nord africaines tout en s’inspirant de musiques contemporaines - break beats, grooves de jazz et guitare métal. Grâce à l’expertise technique de Smadj et aux performances virtuoses de Mehdi Haddab, les vainqueurs du BBC – Radio 3 Awards World Music en 2003 offre une musique qui oscille entre groove et émotion.
Thu. 13 Feb. | 7pm | FREE ENTRY
AFRO-SOUL
THAÏS DIARRA
The Swiss afro-soul singer, Thaïs Diarra, with roots in Mali and Senegal, accompanied by the Senegalese kora player Noumoucounda Cissoko, the drummer, Axel Lussiez and the arranger/producer Fred Hirschy, will be in Nairobi for a one-off concert straight from the Sauti za Busara Festival.
Thaïs has worked and toured with Didier Awadi and Positive Black Soul. She has recorded three albums with Fred Hirschy. Her style is both a subtle mix of African instruments such as the kora and balafon and influences from American soul, reggae, Senegalese mbalax and Mandingo music.
La chanteuse suisse, Thaïs Diarra, puise ses influences musicales afro-soul dans ses origines malienne et sénégalaise. Elle sera accompagné du joueur de kora Noumoucounda Cissoko, du batteur Axel Lussiez et de l’arrangeur/producteur Fred Hirschy. Le groupe en provenance du Festival Sauti za Busara sera à l’Alliance Française de Nairobi pour un concert unique. Thaïs a travaillé et tourné avec Didier Awadi et le groupe Positive Black Soul. Elle a enregistré trois albums avec Fred Hirschy. Son style est à la fois un subtil mélange provenant d’instruments africains tels que la kora et le balafon et des influences de musiques soul américaine, reggae, mbalax sénégalais et musique mandingue.
fri. 21 Feb.| 7pm | FREE ENTRY
ETHIO jazz
TRIO ETHIO BLUES & BASS
Ethiopian diva Etenesh Wassie began singing in the azmaribèt cabarets of Addis Ababa in the early 90s, becoming known for her daring improvisations.
Since 2007 she has been collaborating with the French bass guitarist, Mathieu Sourisseau, merging contemporary energies from jazz to punk with Wassie’s deep knowledge of the Ethiopian repertoire. The duo has recently been strengthened with the addition of the double bassist Sebastien Bacquias, whose bow playing is reminiscent of the messenqo, the traditional Ethiopian violin. Etenesh’s powerful and resonant voice, coupled with the Mathieu and Sebastien’s virtuosity, make for a compelling and captivating performance.
Wed. 26 Feb. | 7pm | Free Entry
La diva éthiopienne Etenesh Wassie a commencé à chanter dans les cabarets azmaribèt d’Addis-Abeba au début des années 90, devenant ainsi connue pour ses improvisations audacieuses. Depuis 2007, elle collabore avec le guitariste français Mathieu Sourisseau, fusionnant les énergies contemporaines du jazz, du punk avec le répertoire traditionnel éthiopien. Le duo s’est renforcé récemment avec le contrebassiste, Sébastien Bacquias dont le jeu à l’archet rappelle le messenqo, violon traditionnel éthiopien. Le trio porté par une voix à l’énergie rocailleuse. délivre une performance musicale convaincante et envoutante.
Dance
MAASAI FOOTSTEPS
Fernando Anuang’a, Kenyan dancer and choreographer, returns with his new contemporary performance rooted in Maasai dance and music traditions.
The new choreography brings together 45 skilled Maasai dancers from the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Magadi, in a show that pays tribute to the Maasai’s symbiotic relationship with Mother Nature. The ceremonial dances celebrate important passages of life, the a cappella voices mark the inner forces, the red colour symbolizes the power of the Morans, defenders of livestock, the red earth represents fecundity, the omnipresent roar of the lion recalls the spirit of the ancestors. The sounds of Maasai footsteps will resonate across the Alliance Française garden stage.
Fernando Anuang’a, danseur et chorégraphe kenyan, est de retour avec son nouveau spectacle contemporain, ancré dans les traditions de la danse et de la musique massaï. La nouvelle chorégraphie réunit 45 danseurs massaïs du Maasai Mara, d’Amboseli et de Magadi, dans un spectacle qui rend hommage à la relation symbiotique des Massaïs avec Mère Nature. Les danses cérémonielles marquent des passages importants de la vie, les voix accapella évoquent les forces intérieures, la couleur rouge symbolisent la puissance des Morans, défenseurs du bétail, la terre rouge représentent la fécondité, le rugissement omniprésent du lion rappelent l’esprit des ancêtres. Les pas des Massaïs résonneront avec force sur la scène du théâtre de verdure de l’Alliance Française.
Sat. 29 Feb. | 7pm | 1000/-
Mbogi ya mawriters INEVITABLE DESIRES: FIRST LOVE
by Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul is an Author/Freelance Writer, Editor and Publisher. He has published 11 books (two novels, three collections of flash fiction stories, and six poetry books). He has also been published in anthologies in Kenya and West Africa (Through the Journey of Hope by the Writers Guild Kenya and Black Communion: An Anthology of Poems by New Age African Poets in West Africa).
BREAKING DOWN
by Eunniah Mbambazi Eunniah Mbabazi is a creative writer, passionate reader and the author of Breaking Down, an anthology of short stories. She is an electrical and electronics engineer by training and has a deep passion for literature. She works at The Kenyan Wallstreet as a Content Creator and Assistant Editor. She blogs at mbabaziafrica.com and rapando.co.ke.
Partner Events THEATRE
24 - 26 Jan. |800/-
THEATRE
06 - 09 Feb.|699/-
Loita / Monrovia Streets P.O Box 45 475 - 00100 Nairobi Tél.: +254 20 4917 000 / 0727 600 622 / 0735 338 888 Email: cultural2@alliancefrnairobi.org www.alliancefrnairobi.org