Art

Over the last fifteen years there has been an explosion in the fine arts in East Africa. This is due to a significant disbursement of Ford Foundation grants in Arts, Media and Culture to the most innovative projects in the region. There are thousands of artists working in East Africa and Kenya has some particularly interesting talent.

As the oldest and most established gallery in Nairobi, Gallery Watatu benefits from a purpose built space and houses works by the most significant painters and sculptors of the last thirty years. Prices tend to be on the high side and since the demise of its owner/curator, Ruth Schaffner, the gallery struggles to attract new talent.

The most dynamic gallery for contemporary art is RaMoMA with its revolving exhibition space curated by an energetic young Kenyan, James Muriuki. The gallery runs as a charitable trust and spends its profits on art workshops for children in Kenya's National referral Hospital and art tours for children from state-funded schools who would not otherwise visit a gallery in the course of their education. The biggest disadvantage to this gallery is the limited space. The large collection of permanent stock for sale is stacked in cramped, awkward spaces in the mezzanine section of the gallery.

For a quick and lively overview of the arts, visit the Godown Arts Centre. Some people are put off by its location on the fringe of the manufacturing sector of the city but the advantage is that it offers permanent studio space for a number of artists. Visitors can drop in on the artists as they work and purchase directly from them. The centre also offers rehearsal space for performing artists and you may well enjoy impromptu performances from troops of acrobats and drummers whilst you wander around the studio spaces. For those of you that know Kuona Trust, it has recently reopened and is based at the Godown. In the past, many of Kenya's leading painters passed through the Kuona Open Studio system. Whilst you are at the Centre, be sure to pick up the schedule for the new 'black box' theater space which hosts inspired performances by contemporary dancers and musicians.

One of the best additions to the Kenya National Archives is the Murumbi Gallery which exhibits Joseph Murumbi's passion for African art and antiquities as well as books, historical documents and stamps. The collection is curated by Alan Donovan who was in business with Joseph Murumbi since 1972 when they started the now-closed Pan African Gallery, African Heritage.

The National Museum of Kenya is currently closed but is scheduled to re-open in July 2007. The allocated spaces for fine art are impressive and when filled and operational, the museum will become a top art space to visit.

The French, Italian and Japanese Cultural Centres all have arts programs - unfortunately, these don't always feature the visual arts but when they do, the standard is impressive.

If you have the best part of a day to spare and are looking for adventure, a visit to Kitengela Glass is well worth the effort. The road should not be attempted in the rains without a four wheel drive as the journey includes sections of Kenya's famous Black Cotton soil. Kitengela glass features Nani Croze's stained glass and sculptures, the famous hot glass dome where Anselm Croze blows his glass and his sister, Katrinika's glass bead hut. The whole experience is enhanced by the Gaudi-esque architecture and the menagerie of everything from Egyptian Vultures and camels to Rottweilers and Dachshunds which shadow Nani's every move.

For those looking to broaden their experience, a visit to Nuru Artists Studio on the way to Limuru on the North side of the city and then on to Banana Hill Artists Studio will offer an introduction to two studios where artists from that region display their work. The Limuru area must have the highest concentration of artists in the country. On the return loop, Ngecha Artists Studio would offer a similar experience.

Le Rustique Restaurant and the Talisman Restaurant both have an interesting schedule of art exhibitions. The emphasis at the Talisman is on European artists working in the Karen/Langata area. Whereas Le Rustique, curated by Xavier Verhoest, tends to be less traditional and often promotes upcoming Kenyan artists.

Finally, anyone looking for art instruction for either adults or children should check the schedule for Nairobi Arts Centre. The centre offers an interesting selection of courses from figure drawing to tromp l'oeil and drum jamming sessions.

Enjoy the art scene!

Carol Lees, RaMoMA

Theatre

Live Performance in and around Nairobi has a fascinating and intricate history from the beginnings of the city as a dusty railway compound to its current, teeming, confusing and exciting state.

Performances take place in formal, organised venues like the Kenya National Theatre and Alliance Francaise, in multi-purpose buildings such as restaurants, bars, community halls and religious centres and informal settings - street corners, football pitches and public transport.

The Theatre Company is based in Nairobi and carries out a programme of performances using a mixture of dance, music and storytelling from the East African Region and other parts of the world. The Theatre Company currently operates a Performance Skills Training Programme which supports the work of practitioners in the East Africa region. As a deliberate policy, The Theatre Company does not operate a single venue, preferring to go to its audiences, in theatre, ghettos and fields alike!

Working in a similar vein and producing un-missable work in all sorts of surprising venues, is Safe Ghetto, who work under the overall direction of the highly experienced theatre and film actor, Nick Reding.

The GoDown Arts Centre, offers a home to a number of active performance groups. One of the most ambitious and exciting projects at the GoDown is the Sarakasi Trust, which supports the work of hundreds of performing artists through its various training and festival programmes. The GoDown is currently under the management of Joy Mboya and Judy Ogana, two very influential ladies in Kenya cultural circles.

One of the longest-running performance organisations, and certainly the most prolific, is The Phoenix Players, an intimate, 110-seat theatre which runs a "repertory" system; i.e. at least one different offering on stage every three weeks. Phoenix offers a mixed bag of European plays performed by amateur and professional actors with the occasional African writer on view. Musical theatre can be found here from time to time. Phoenix actively supports other groups and encourages them to use the venue. Its current Manager is Ian Mbugua.

Some of the Phoenix regulars also appear at the Kenya National Theatre. Managed by Paul Okoth, the venue is used by a number of visiting groups, many of whom perform popular school literature texts. One of the common groups to be found at the National is Sterling Quality Productions who produce ambitious, musical productions with large casts of mostly young performers. Other groups to be found here are Pambazuka Productions under the management of Charles Bukeko and Jacob Otieno's Tufani Arts Ensemble.

Just around the corner at Alliance Francaise, a number of groups can be seen, including the Heartstrings Ensemble and Mbalamwezi Players, offering a selection of plays which include a large number of English comedies by such writers as Derek Benfield and Ray Cooney. Other groups which utilise this venue from time to time include the Courtyard Theatre, known for high quality and thought-provoking performances.

There are a number of hotels, bars and restaurants that offer a venue for performance in the suburbs of Nairobi; most of them will publicise their offerings in the daily newspapers and visual media. One of the most notable is The Bomas of Kenya. Geared primarily to the tourist market, it is a vast, impressive complex and a stunning physical space located in the Langata area near the main entrance to the Nairobi National Park.

There has been something of an explosion of interest in Contemporary Dance in Kenya over the past few years: notable practitioners in this area are Mathews Ondiege (Dance Into Space Company), Opiyo Okach (Compagnie Gaara), James Mweu (Vunja Dance Company) and Edward Kibaya. Other groups to watch out for are Jok A Jok, WEPET and KPAG.

See you at the show!

Keith Pearson, The Theatre Company

Music

Kenya has a small but thriving Classical, Jazz, Rock, and Salsa music scene.

Classical

The Nairobi Music Society organizes recitals for international and local talent and joining the Society is the best way to stay in the loop about upcoming performances. To join, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 0733-911611.

If you wish to join the Music Society Choir, no auditions are necessary and you don't have to be able to read music. The choir holds three major concerts per year and sings standard classical choral repertoire.

To join the Nairobi Orchestra, you should be UK Associate Board Grade 5 or equivalent in your instrument.

If you are interested in music lessons or renting instruments, try the Kenya Conservatoire of Music, 222933.

Jazz

In the last two years, there has been a surge of interest in Jazz in Kenya and there are some new and interesting jazz events, bands and venues.

Probably the most dynamic event in Nairobi is the monthly live band/jam session at the Nakumatt Junction hosted by Jack Ojiambo of Capital FM and the NuMetro Theatre Cup A Jazz Club. Young talent is showcased every last Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm with musicians in the audience encouraged to join in and jam. Anything goes from Afro to contemporary to Capoeira (a music and marshall art from Brazil).

Jack Ojiambo also hosts a weekly jazz radio show on Capital FM (98.4) every Sunday from 7-10pm called the Capital Jazz Club. Alternatively, you can catch Blues Avenue on HotFM (96.0) also on Sunday from 7-10pm.

For live jazz music in a restaurant/bar setting, there are several venues to choose from depending on the day of the week.

Thursday nights from 8-11pm, a live band plays at the trendy Mercury Lounge. Enjoy dinner or cocktails while listening to good music.

You can also enjoy dinner and cocktails while taking in a live band at Soho in Westlands on Thursday nights at 8pm. The bar has a nice jazz ambience with jazz art on the walls.

If you live on the Karen side of town, the Talisman Restaurant occasionally hosts live bands.

Another option for jazz while you eat and socialize is Tamambo in The Mall in Westlands. The band Solid Groove plays on Friday evenings from 9pm. But the music is more background music here; not the centre of attention.

The Rhythm Bar at the Village Market offers live jazz Thursday and Friday nights and Sundays at 2pm, although it's a new venue and the schedule is variable so check with them. This is a nice place to enjoy music outside on a warm summer day/night.

If your taste is lively, fun and boozy, try the eclectic Tamasha bar where football fans and jazz enthusiasts rub shoulders on Sunday evenings at 7pm. This is not a great listening venue if you're serious about jazz because of the activity level but it's a fun atmosphere. Note that you need a membership card (request one from management) and parking is difficult so get there early.

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant occasionally hosts a live jazz band or "piano nights". Check directly with them for their schedule.

The Heartfelt Duo Band plays a mixture of jazz, R&B and soft rock at the Intercontinental Hotel (City Hall Way downtown) every Monday night from 7:30 to 10:30m in the Safari Bar.

Rock

The Simba Lounge at the Carnivore is an excellent place to dance and mingle on Wednesday night rock nights hosted by a DJ.

The Talisman Restaurant in Karen occasionally hosts live bands.

Most Friday evenings, Alliance Francaise hosts local live rock bands in their courtyard.

For a stylish evening out including dinner try Soho or the Mercury Lounge which occasionally host live rock bands.

For a lively, crowded, good time, visit Choices on Sunday for its very popular rock music bands.

The Intercontinental Hotel hosts a rock night every Saturday with a live band called Lynx in the Safari Bar from 8:30 to midnight.

Gipsy's and the Village Market also occasionally host live bands or DJ nights.

Salsa

Thursday evenings at the Pavement at 8.30 pm, catch the Rithmo Combina band for a night of live salsa music and dancing.

The Rithmo Combina band also performs live for Salsa night at the Safari Bar in the InterContinental Hotel every Wednesday and Friday nights from 7:30pm to midnight.