Nigeria is 50...So What?

As the nation clocks 50 this year, there are series of events to 'mark' the it. One in Lagos, one in Abuja...enjoy!

On Sunday 6th June, Crown Troupe of Africa will set off sparks at Motherlan' 64 Opebi Rd. Ikeja, Lagos as they present Season 2 of their series of performances in commemoration of Nigeria's 50th anniversary, tagged- Nigeria @ 50, So What? 

Early this month, Sound Sultan joined the award winning dance-theatre company on stage in asking our brothers and sisters in diaspora to try come back home to make this land work for us all. 

On the 6th of June, Crown Troupe will be joined by the Coded Tunes All Stars, led by prolific Producer & Musician- I.D. Cabassa. Also performing will be the enigmatic Amulegbajo Dance Company. 

There will be two shows- 3pm and 5pm and tickets cost only N1,500. Call 234-01-8529562 to get your tickets before we run out!

Proudly Supported by Motherlan'

The Abuja Council for Arts and Culture presents a play titled  "A Rich Heritage" Expect a night of laughter. dance and drama.

Date: Friday, June 4, 2010

Venue: Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Area 10, Garki 

Directions: Off Moshood Abiola, Off Kalems Street, 3 Awka Street.

Time: 7pm

Gate: 1, 500 naira for individuals, 1000 naira for groups of 6 and above

For reservations, call Joan, 08084996998. Tickets are also available at the gate...

Bookjam Gets Hotter...

If you've never been to a Bookjam at the Galleria, this is one you shouldn't miss. For obvious reasons...plus get enough money to buy books@Galleria price. Discounted, of course!

The Event

The BookJam @ Silverbird” is a monthly event that consists of book readings, discussions, musical performances, poetry recitals, book signings and a raffle draw. 

Date: Saturday, 22 May 2010

Time: 15:00 - 17:00

Venue: Silverbird Lifestyle store, Silverbird Galleria

Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
RSVP the event here.

The guest writers for BookJam 4 are:

SADE ADENIRAN is a graduate of the University of Plymouth and also spent time as an exchange student at the University of Massachusetts. She has written various pieces for theatre and her work has been performed at the Lyric, the Bush and the Riverside Studios. She won the “Best First Book Prize” (Africa Region) in the 2008 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for her debut novel Imagine This. She lives and works in London, and is working on her second novel.

CHUMA NWOKOLO is a lawyer and writer. He was writer-in-residence of the Ashmolean Museum and chair of Leys Newspapers, Oxford. He is the publisher of African Writing magazine. He has written short stories, novels and poetry. His story, Diary of a Dead African, was chosen by La Internazionale as one of the 3 best stories worldwide in 2003. He lives in the UK.

CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE is the author of Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and The Thing Around Your Neck. Purple Hibiscus won the 2005 Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall Winner, Best Book) and Half of a Yellow Sun won the 2007 Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction. Her latest book, The Thing Around Your Neck, was shortlisted for the 2009 John Llewellyn-Rhys Memorial Prize. She lives between Nigeria and the US.

BINYAVANGA WAINAINA is the founding editor of the literary magazine Kwani?. He won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2002 for his story Discovering Home. He is currently a Director at The Chinua Achebe Center for African Writers and Artists, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, Granta and National Geographic.

PS. #Just wondering when will these readings (and more literary events) come to the mainland? Waiting...someone should think about catering for the mainland audience...now that's an idea for someone to pick. We will definitely add our voice to yours when you are ready to kick off...