The Bayimba Regional Festival of Arts train heads west this weekend to the bustling metropolis of Mbarara. Famed as the land of “milk and honey”, Mbarara will come alive with a musical night comprising the Runyakitara region’s finest talent that has been undergoing a weeklong live performance under the tutelage of acclaimed UK-based Ugandan producer Kaz Kasozi.
There will be no CD playbacks when Runyakitara musical gems Queen Marion, Generad Agae, Miss Agie, DJ Ali, Ogaba Okufu, Florence Nsimenta, Agatha, DJ Mutsyo, Scovia Ainomugisha, Baby Halima, Eazy Man Adam, Lady Diana and Junior Clan take to the stage from 7pm at Agip Motel on Saturday June 12, 2010. Rwankunyonyo and Entore Cultural Dancers will also be on hand to serve up traditional dance routines from the region.
A couple of choice Kampala acts is making the three-hour road trip to Mbarara to network with their Mbarara peers on stage. Karim Saava will thrill the audience with his signature traditional Ganda anthems while the feisty Rachel K partners with The Uneven Band to tinge the night with a Ugandan rock flavour. Tabu Flo Dance Crew will bring their famed hip-hop dance athleticism to the event.
The arts treat starts earlier in the day with a 10am conference in which the region’s artistes will receive media exposure techniques from renowned arts journalist Moses Serugo while Afro-pop diva Julie Sessanga will offer invaluable advice on how to navigate the entertainment industry. Afternoon delights will include a fashion show by Mbarara designer Christine Mbabazi, hilarious comedy from Yusuf Kiyega and Baker Kijjambu, movie screenings by Amakula/Cinetoile [movie titles; Samba Traore (Burkina Faso), From a Whisper (Kenya), Lumumba (Belgium/ Germany/ Haiti), Mah Saah- Sah (Cameroon), Heritage Africa (Ghana)] and an art exhibition. The festival is facilitated by Hivos, Stichting Doen, Safi, Azur, Radio Sapientia, Amakula Kampala, Maisha, Vision Radio and Radio Endigyito.
