#RoundAboutTown With Henri Yire
We own the weekend.
Yes, the week was rife with traffic and boss issues, but we are here; we survived.
You are probably longing for a fully-funded vacation; somewhere where there are no phones or even people (shouting ones) and one that will stretch for maybe a month.
Sounds about right, right?
But definitely not this weekend.
Trust me, this weekend’s line-up of events is crazy!
Hangouts that will make you wanna dance from Lagos to London ( Dbanj actually said that).
Here’s the weekend line-up of events.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
FRIDAY PREGAME NIGHT
It’s yet another FRIDAYY! Make the most out of tonight and worry about it all tomorrow
Time: 5:00PM – 12:00AM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Truffles, 45A Sobo Arobiodu Street off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Ikeja G.R.A
Lagos, Nigeria
LAGOS GAMES GROUP
We are back with our Multi-games and we have something for everyone. Chess, Scrabble, Monopoly, Ayo(Nigeria), Card games:Whot,Spades,Go-fish,4faces of diamond etc. The Lagos Games Group is a social organization that promotes recreation and values-building through board, card, role-play and interactive games. We host game events once a month.
Time: 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Toasties, 113 Awolowo Rd,Lagos, Nigeria
THIS JOKE IS NOT FOR SALE
Do you just want to laugh or do you want to know what comedians go through to make you laugh? you also want to laugh as comedians tell you what they go through to make you laugh? Then, this show is for you. You will laugh, think, maybe get angry or even cry. Then, you will laugh again.
Caveat Venditor: This Joke Is For Sale is a concept comedy show. It explores the joys and struggles of being a Nigerian comedian through the eyes of five young comedians. While many comedy shows comprise stale and disconnected performances, the jokes, stories, sketches and satire in This Joke Is For Sale blend into an original whole. Nigerian comedians have never collaborated to make this kind of art before. This show is bold and quirky. It debuts at the Lagos Fringe Festival.
Time: 7:00PM
Fee: N3,500
Location: Freedom Park, 1 Broad Street, Lagos Island
Tip of The Day: Catch the show same time on Saturday, November 23, 2019
SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 23, 2019
KAYAK LAGOS
Kayak the Lagos Lagoon.
Time: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Fee: N6,000 for 4 Hours N2,500 Per Hour for 2/3 Hours or N3,000 for 1 Hour
Email: nothingtodoinlagos@gmail.com to reserve your kayak.
LAGOS FRINGE
Lagos Fringe, the biggest open access multi-disciplinary arts platform is excited to welcome you to participate in the festival from 19th – 24th November 2019 With an exciting line up of theatre performances, visual arts exhibitions, films, music concerts, children’s events, variety shows and even a marketplace. The Fringe is definitely an experience you do not want to miss. It has something for everyone. Lagos Fringe starts on the 19th Nov.
Festival Schedule
ART HOUSE CONTEMPORARY
Pleased to announce that Our Annual Modern contemporary art auction is here again on its 23rd Edition.
On view from the 22nd of November till the day of the auction On Monday the 25th of November 2019
Time: 11:00AM – 5:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: KIA Motors, 308, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
PLAYDAY POOL PARTY
Pool, Games, Grill, Drinks
Time: 12:00PM – LATE
Fee: Open to All
Location: Aqua Pool Club, Landmark Towers, 5B Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos
LAGOS IN DECEMBER
What’s Up BarBarians! New this Saturday… We kicking off the holiday rocks a little early with Lagos in December! Catch Lady Donli, Dj Honeey, Dj Yin, and Mojo!
Time: 7:00PM – LATE
Fee: Open to All
Location: Bar Bar, 15 Victoria Arobieke St, Lekki Phase I, Lagos
DONT DROP THE MIC
This Saturday @donotdropthemic the spotlight is on KDL @kdlforinstance as he performs a few crowd favorites and hit singles! Come through to @bogobirihouse and join us in a night of amazing entertainment!! The theme of the night is “Police” so expect the DDTM squad to be on hand to create some inspired musicals on the spot based on your suggestions! P.S. Free Cocktails from 8pm – 9pm and you can win free bottles during the show.
Time: 8:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Bogobiri, South-West, 9 Maitama Sule St, Ikoyi, Lagos
STADIUM HOTEL
Live High Life Music
Time: 11:00PM – LATE
Fee: N500
Location: Stadium Hotel, 27/33, Iyun Road, (Close to Hogan Bassy Crescent) Surulere, Lagos
SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 24, 2019
LAGOS MARGARITA FESTIVAL 2019
Lagos Margarita Festival is the first of its kind, introducing our citizens of legal drinking age to the world of Mexican fun in a Nigerian way. Margaritas, food, funfair games, and salsa. LMF is a new platform for Nigerians to learn and enjoy the numerous ways one can enjoy a margarita in over 30 flavors complete with an adult funfair experience.
Time: 12:00PM – 9:00PM
Fee: N3,500
Location: Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos
CONVERGENCE
SMO Contemporary Art is delighted to curate CONVERGENCE, an exhibition of recent works by Obi Okigbo, which explores the artist’s fascination with how our belief systems, behavioral patterns, and aesthetic values have been shaped by ancient art and mythology from different cultures and eras. Okigbo’s experimentation with Indian ink on linen, silk, paper, and canvas touch on universal themes of transcendence. Her powerful portraits of heroes of African descent are “ a celebration of collective memory, the archetypal quest for the Self and the truth of our existence”. Join us for the Artist Talk and the Exhibition Opening on SUNDAY, 24 Nov at Wheatbaker from 1 pm!
Time: 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: The Wheatbaker, 4 Onitolo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
VEGAN FRIENDSGIVING
Celebrate World Vegan Month with Friends! Happy World Vegan Month! November is not only the month where we celebrate plant-based living but also a time to be thankful for all of life’s abundance. Join us next Sunday, November 24th for the monthly Lagos Vegan Meet-up, as we gather as friends to celebrate life and living food. There will be a catered menu provided by THRIVE, via pre-order, (confirm payment by Saturday Nov 23rd to guarantee your plate), non-alcoholic drink bar and group discussion. If you cannot dine in you can still pre-order food for pickup. It is an open house event so all are welcome- meat eaters, plant eaters and in between.
Time: 2:00PM – 5:00PM Prompt
Fee: N6000 per plate
Location: Carib Health 17a Maduike Street, Ikoyi
MAINLAND BOOK CLUB
We’re hosting its 11th #MBCMeetup in the year. This November, we’re reading and discussing “Notes for Nnedinma” by author and MBC member, Jerry Chiemeke. We’ll be talking over chops and drinks. Don’t forget to come along with your friends! Join us on the last Sunday of every month to discuss books, their premise and how it affects our lives and culture. Our goal is to promote the reading culture in Nigeria.
Time: 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Workstation 3rd Floor, Maryland Mall 360 Ikorodu Road Lagos, LA 100211
MOVIENIC
Time for us to #GetOutside. It’s been too long! Bring your blankets, food, and drinks! We’ll have blankets for rent also. Enjoy sweet tunes before and after the movie.
Time:
Doors Open : 5:00PM
Show starts : 7:00PM
Fee: N1000
Location: 19B Adeyemi Lawson, Ikoyi, Lagos
DRIVE IN CINEMA
At 7 Eleven drive-in cinema, we have a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles for you to have a great time and watch your Movie from. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars with the sound coming to you from your Car stereo. Awesome right?!!!”
Time: 6:00PM
Fee: N500
Location: THE LEKKI COLISEUM, Plot 14, Providence street, Lekki phase 1, Lekki.
ETUK’s TRUTH
Hi Beautiful People, We don come again with a fresh blast of live Jazz music. We are back at the truth for our Sunday Commune!
Time: 7:00PM – 11:00PM
Fee: N500
Location: 112 Akerele Road, Surulere, Lagos
Have A Great Weekend!
REDTV set to Host the Biggest Party of 2019
Grammy award nominee, Burna Boy, Olamide ‘Baddo’ Jidenna to perform
REDTV, the fast-paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage is about to host the 4th edition of its annual party , ‘The Redtv Rave’ on November 30, 2019. Powered by the United Bank for Africa (UBA), this year’s rave which is themed ‘The shutdown’, is where everyone wants to be.
From the crème de la crème of entertainment to high profile business moguls, the premium entertainment Brand, REDTV, will host creatives and guests to an unforgettable night on November 30th, 2019, kicking off the ‘Dirty December’ party season.
The Executive Producer of REDTV, Bola Atta, who spoke excitedly about the rave, stated that a lot has gone into the preparation of this party, where over 5,000 guests are expected. “The REDTV rave is an expression of the fact that REDTV is more than just an entertainment platform, it is a lifestyle and an expression of our language and culture as we constantly connect with members of the creative industry who have been changing the narrative across music, film, fashion and the Arts on the African continent. It is a way to say thank you to all our fans who have followed closely, the successes of some of our shows like The Men’s Club, Boutique Hotel, Our Best Friend’s Wedding and Inspector K, amongst many others’.
The performing artists at this year’s rave include a headline of Burna Boy, Olamide and Jidenna. Also performing are rising star, Fireboy, Tems, Ajebutter22, SDC, BOJ, DRB with Dj Concequence and Dj Sparrow on ground to ensure the music flows. Registration to the rave is free and drinks and food are also complimentary as guests get a chance to mingle with some of their favourite celebrities.
REDTV is a fast paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa, the network is an entertainment platform with rich content that feature the very best of Africa.
Toni Morrison’s Memorial Service: Oprah Winfrey, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Angela Davis & Others Pay Tribute.
At a public memorial service on Thursday for Toni Morrison—who passed away in August at age 88—Oprah Winfrey and Ta-Nehisi Coates were among the many prominent speakers.
During her speech, Oprah shared: “For me, there is no greater writer.” Ahead, you can watch the full live stream of the celebration of Morrison’s life.
The line to enter Manhattan’s St. John the Divine church on Thursday, November 21 stretched down the block.
Within the chapel, members of the public intermingled with luminaries and literary figures like Oprah, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Angela Davis. Under the blanket of organ music, they gathered together in that magnificent chapel to pay their respects to one person who touched so many individual lives and so radically changed American culture: Toni Morrison
Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Morrison passed away on August 5, 2019 at the age of 88. In her lifetime, Morrison published 11 novels, five children’s books, nine non-fiction books, and two plays. Her last book, The Source of Self-Regard, was a collection of essays and speeches.
“She was our conscience, our seer, our truth-teller. She was a magician with language who understood the power of words. She used them to roil us, to wake us, to educate us and help us grapple with our deepest wounds and try to comprehend them,” Oprah, who spoke at the event, wrote in an Instagram tribute after Morrison’s death. “For me, there is no one else,” she said in a later interview with Variety.
In a similar vein to Oprah’s sentiment, the memorial ceremony at St. John the Divine was a moving blend of astonishment at Morrison’s impact, and bewilderment at her loss.
Morrison’s books spoke specifically to the Black American experience. In his eulogy, New Yorker editor David Remnick contextualized the cultural importance of Morrison’s fiction.
“She wanted to write about Black people, for Black people, in the various language of Black people,” Remnick said, noting that Morrison saw a glaring absence of Black people in the novels of the so-called American Renaissance. “She was there to assert the primacy, specificity of African Americans…and not go around explaining it all the time to everyone else.”
As a result, her books had a tremendous impact on the Black community. The eulogizers—many of them African American writers—spoke about how Morrison gave them the freedom to write and embrace their voices.
“We found ourself through, because of, and in relation to Toni and her work,” Angela Davis, a lifelong friend of Morrison’s, said during her eulogy.
“Her work helped me accent my own Black and writerly self,” writer Kevin Young said during his emotional tribute, which detailed his time meeting Morrison as a college student. “She gave us permission to work, rather than argue about whether we could write or agree to exist at all.”
“It has taken me some time to understand how much I owe to Toni Morrison,” Ta-Nehisi Coates said, opening up about how he’s been re-reading her writing since her passing. “Toni Morrison has been bestowing lessons on me my entire life. The principle lesson was this: Black is beautiful but it ain’t always pretty. Remember, this is not a fairy tale. This is grown folk’s literature.”
Oprah agrees with the sentiment. “For me, there is no greater writer, there is no one who has been able to affect and have the impact, particularly on my life, and I think on African American culture the way she did,” Oprah said to Variety.
Morrison also played a role in the editorial direction of Oprah’s Book Club. In her eulogy, Oprah recalled the time she asked Morrison if it was true that people had to re-read her books to understand them. “‘That, my dear, is called reading,'” Oprah recalls Morrison saying. “I was embarrassed,” Oprah admitted at the memorial, but it gave her the permission to challenge the readers in her book club by picking Morrison’s books, which “refuse to be skimmed.” Oprah would go on to choose more of Morrison’s books than any other author.
“By taking us down to the pain and shadows, she urges us to keep going, to keep trying to figure it out. With her words as guide and companion. She asks us to follow our own pain. To reckon with it. To transcend it,” Oprah said on the transcendent experience of reading Morrison’s books.
Other speakers included writer Jesmyn Ward, editor Erroll McDonald, writer Michael Ondaatje, and Reverend Clifton Daniel III. Punctuated between eulogies were musical interludes by saxophonist David Murray, singer Toshi Reagon, harpist Brandee Younger, and jazz pianist and singer Andy Bey, who delivered a touching rendition of “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Morrison’s time as an editor was also remembered during the ceremony. Before becoming a writer of seismic impact, Morrison worked to champion a generation of Black voices as an editor at Random House.
While Morrison’s wide-reaching impact lives on in her work, the eulogies—many of them delivered from the people who knew her closely—also illustrate the loss of the living, breathing woman.
The woman who woke early to write Song of Solomon, before driving her sons to school and completing a work day as an editor, as Fran Lebowitz remembered. The woman who turned down writing for The New Yorker because she was “baking a cake,” as Remnick recalled, with a chuckle. The woman who drank vodka when it was cold and smoked cigarettes at the Louvre, writer Edwidge Danticat said.
“Everyone knows what a cultural earthquake Toni was. Not everyone knows what kind of friend Toni Morrison was. For 40 years, Toni was at least two of my four closest friends,” author Lebowitz said, so obviously missing her.
Certainly, Morrison’s books will be read and re-read. But the eulogizers grasped at moving forward at a world without Morrison herself, as we all must.
“In Tar Baby, a daughter is told, ‘The world will be there while you sleep.’ This is true for you as well,” Danticat said, directly addressing Morrison. “The world will be here, but certainly not as rich or as full. But it will be here as you rest.”
Source & image: Oprahmag.com
Quramo Writers Prize 2019 Entry Excerpt
‘30 Days to Seventeen’ by Oni Oluwaseyi Faith makes the shortlist of 15 for this year’s #QuramoWritersPrize
For the five days we were stuck here, it hasn’t been easy. Five days of strange happenings. It’s been five days since I saw my sister and five days since I’d eaten anything good, like Mama’s party jollof, or even the cereal she forced us to take every morning, I’d kill to have it now. Three days ago, I was diagnosed with a certain thing called Tietze syndrome. Three days of pain and agony. The second day in this house, I woke up with a headache, my head was about to be sliced open.
