Weekend Diaries

I had a great time over the weekend.

I was asked to MC a concert at the Muson Centre on Saturday, titled The return of Keji Hamilton. Organized by the UK based Charles Akpom of Exousia Entertainment and his brother, Fidelis Akpom, it featured Fela Anikulapo's former band member, Keji (who was the inspiration for Fela's cry "kere keji keke, yah!").

Keji who was part of Fela's "Beast of No Nation", "Army Arrangement", "Teacher, Don't Teach Me Nonsense" and many other songs is now his own man, pastors a church, is involved with the rehabilition of social derelicts but has remained true to the Afro-Beat, but with a strong Christian theme.

Of note also at the event, was the return of Mandy Brown (Ojugbana) of "Taxi Driver" fame, who sang alongside Keji at the event, and whose voice reminded us all of why her song ruled the airwaves for such a long time and can't be forgotten. Mandy Brown moved to the UK a short while after that massive hit but is back in the country now.

Yinka Davies, who without doubt is one of this country's best products ever, complemented the event in her "usual unusual" style, doing an impromptu duet with the music producer, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo.

ps. Mandy Brown is happily married to a prominent blogger, but he'll have to tell you himself. It was a pleasure to talk to him at the event.

Then I got into my car and drove to Kayode Krakue's birthday bash at his home which was filled to the brim. All the usual suspects, the actor- Bolaji Alonge, the TV producer and director- Kayode Peters, the comedians- Basket Mouth and Talkative, the Musician- Rugged Man and many many others made the place great fun. I also ...ahem... learnt that the new dances involve close contact between the male and the female, the female doing most of the contacting. There were quite a number of dance partners willing to teach me. I really must get out of the theatre more.

Sunday was a continuation of Theatre@Terra with Crown Troupe's Dance Drama Performances of "Exodus" and "Monkey Post". Next Sunday (the 23rd) will be the turn of Prison Chronicles, a stage play written and directed by laspapi, and The Sound and The Fury, the week after.