Mark Your Calendar...

There are many reasons why I love Lagos. One of the reasons just has to be literary events...Lagos has it. Name it plays, poetry performances, readings, book tours; sometimes there's a clash you have to decide which one to attend. 

Now, here's another clash between BookJam@Silverbird and Poetry Potter. Well, you decide which works for you!

BookJam@Silverbird

The objective of the BookJam is to provide literary entertainment for the public by creating opportunities for book lovers to meet and discuss with writers and other artists.

The first edition of “The BookJam @ Silverbird” will hold between 3 to 5 pm on Saturday 27 February 2010, at Silverbird Lifestyle store, Silverbird Galleria, Ahmadu Bello Way, VI, Lagos. 

The Guest Writers

Kaine Agary, author of Yellow Yellow and winner of the 2008 NLNG-sponsored Nigeria Prize for Literature

Eghosa Imasuen, author of To Saint Patrick

Jude Dibia, author of Walking with Shadows and Unbridled and winner of the 2007 NDDC/ANA-sponsored Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize for Prose.

Michela Wrong, British writer and the author of In the Footsteps of Mr. Kutz which won a PEN Prize for nonfiction], I Didn’t do it For You and It’s Our Turn to Eat which was selected as one of the top ten books of 2009 by The Economist magazine.

A. Igoni Barrett, award-winning author of From the Caves of the Rotten Teeth.  

The hip-hop singer MI is also expected to attend the event as a special guest. 

Each of the guest writers will be interviewed on the Silverbird TV morning show “Today on STV”, and immediately afterwards on Rhythm 93.7 FM, on the following dates:Jude Dibia—19 February; Kaine Agary—23rd February; Eghosa Imasuen—26th of February. So, listen up!

Poetry Potter

Poetry Potter is the hub for poetry performers, writers and spoken word addicts. It usually happens every month. The next edition is slated for Saturday, 27 February 2010. 

Time:    03:00 - 07:00pm                           Venue: Rotunda Hall Alagomeji Lagos

And Lola Shoneyin Launches her Collection of Poems.
Lola Shoneyin launches her new collection of poetry, "For the love of flight". The poems in this volume range from the politically strident, the fiercely feminist, the soft and sensual to the satirically stringent. Shoneyin refines the style that has kept her audience eagerly awaiting this new collection.


Thursday, 25 February 2010
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Location: JB's Grill, Maitama Amusement Park

This is for all our Kenyan readers.
Cut Off My Tongue will leave you speechless! It rants, sweats, and breaks into song and dance as it explores the truths that shape us Modern Africans: Our beliefs, the way we behave and why.

Woven into music and dance, Sitawa Namwalie’s dramatised poetry is moving and frighteningly honest. It is politics – and love – that bites as it teases!

See it at USIU Auditorium, 2nd March 2010, 6pm.

Wale Okediran Reads in Abuja

Fellow Bookaholics living in Abuja should be interested in attending this reading organised by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). 

The Book

Wale Okediran's latest offering, Tenants of the House is a fictional account of Okediran's tenure as Member of House of Representatives[2004-2007]. It's described severally a masterpiece and represents an important literary milestone in Nigeria's sociopolitical landscape. 

The Event

Date: February 9, 2010 

Venue: Auditorium of the Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre [Garki, Area 10, Abuja] 

Time: 4.00pm prompt. 

There will be readings from the work by the author himself, as well as other distinguished writers, including Eugenia Abu. House Leader, Hon Tunde Akogun will also read excerpts from the work. A further highlight of the event is a short playlet depicting a scene from the work, to be coordinated by the Theatrist - Denja Abdullahi (former Secretary-General of ANA).

The Writer

Wale Okediran, physician, poet, technocrat and politician was until late 2009, President of Association of Nigerian Authors.

For more information, call: 

Dr. Seyi Adigun, Chair, ANA Abuja.: 08030794827 

Jerry Adesewo, PRO, ANA Abuja: 08052771123

Mark your Calendar...

P.A.G.E.S and CCA,Lagos continue their innovative programme of bringing the Visual and Literary Arts into dialogue. This Saturday (November 21) is going to be an interesting one at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos as Teju Cole  the author of Everyday is for the Thief - a novel set in Lagos, and Jumoke Verissimo, the author I am Memory - a poetry collection engage 12 artists in a video art exhibition at CCA,Lagos.

The writers' books will be available for sale at the CCA. This is equally an opportunity to see the current exhibition which is called Identity:An Imagined State, a video art exhibition featuring the works of Nigerian,African & South American artists. It was curated by Jude Anogwih and Oyinda Fakeye

Time: 2pm. 

So see you at CCA (9, McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos)

There's also Yoruba Romance

A new play titled Yoruba Romance by Tyrone Terrence-an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's A Marriage Proposal. 

Venue: The MUSON centre’s Agip Recital Hall

Date: Sunday, November 22

Time: 6pm

Gate: N5,000

Driver's Dexterity: an exhibition of photographs by George Osodi

The African Artists' Foundation (AAF) in collaboration with The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) presents: Driver's Dexterity an exhibition of photographs by George Osodi.

Venue: The Lagos Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Opp. 1004 Flats, Victoria Island, Lagos

Date and time: 26th November, 2009, 6pm

Who is George Oshodi?

George Osodi is a London-based photographer and artist who has spent most of his time traveling on Nigerian roads. He has captured images of the various landscapes and peoples living in different parts of Nigeria. George has also documented various social and topical issues using photography. Having trained as a photojournalist, George has an eye for a story. The story he tells now is one of intervention and faith. He captures the dramatic in an artistic, even romantic fashion. These are tales of hope and survival, bravery and bewildering actions, stereotypes and attitudes to life.

George explains: “Driver's Dexterity is a body of work, which takes on a more conceptual form than my previous documentary works. ...I explore the vulnerability of life as a contrast to the tragic beauty of the landscapes"

Mark your Calendar...

"Representing NAIJA" is the tag for the 31st edition of POETRY POTTER. There is no doubt that this edition of the event will surpass the previous in all ramifications. It's going to be a gathering of young meaning Nigerians under one room in a serene atmosphere of the Rounda Hall, National Library, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos. To discuss the present and future of Nigeria creatively, with rendition of rhythmic words and lines which will be accompanied with nice rhythm.

As Yoruba will say, ariwo ko o, it's not unnecessary noise that will drive home the change (the real change) that the country is currently clamouring for, it's by meeting and discussing the issues with creative approach. And this is the reason why KOWRY KREATIONS MEDIA is in partnership with THE FUTURE AWARDS for this very edition of the literary arts monthly platform.

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2009 Time: 2-6pm

Venue: Rotunda Hall, National Library opposite Casino Cinema, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos

PLAY 2009: GTBank Sponsors Poetry Fiesta

The pan-Nigerian Poetry Festival which explores the theme, “Poetry, Laughter, Arts and You” and is acronymed “P.L.A.Y” has finally secured the goodwill of GTBank as sole-sponsor.

In this connection, the Project Producer and Artistic Director, Ben Tomoloju, has been contracted to stage the event on Thursday and Friday, October 29 and 30, this year, at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos and treat the Nigerian Literary community and arts patrons to a quintessential culture exposition in poetry and theatre.

Plans for this festival kicked off nearly a year ago based on the contention that poetry as a form of art deserves to recapture its essence as a performance medium. In the study of Oral Literature, for instance, the “oral-moment” of the traditional poet - griot or bard- is a major feature of study and his or her characteristic dependency on a retinue of singers, dancers and drummers shows the exciting interface between poetry and theatre. Illustrating with homely examples, the producer, Ben Tomoloju, draws attention to the acts of the late Mamman Shata and horse-riding Hajiya Lolo Bida who were traditional poets in their own right but celebrated their poetry with musical accompaniment.

Among contemporary Nigerian poets, some leading lights such as Odia Ofeimun and Niyi Osundare have demonstrated a significant knack for performance poetry. They usually read, recite or chant to the accompaniment of songs and music as a re-affirmation of the interconnectedness of these artistic genres. In the new generation, poet-journalist, Akeem Lasisi, is quite outstanding. His poetry is not only inspired by traditional Yoruba poetry, he has also evolved a metalangue for its stage realization. These and many other juicy enactments which also incorporate the peculiar acts of Folu Agoi, Dagga Tolar, Iquo Eke, Sage “Has.son” and peculiar rap artistes are the offering at P.L.A.Y 2009.

According to Tomoloju, all participating artistes have been duly contacted and a number of them from the Nefretiti Group, Crown Troupe and Solar Band are now working at the Artsville Theatre Camp, Jakande Estate Bungalows, Ejigbo, Lagos. The main presentation of the festival is Eddie Aderinokun’s “Meridian Hour” while a special segment will be dedicated to Mabel Segun, the matriarch of Children’s Literature.

Anthills 2.0: Aural Magic

Bookaholics in Lagos should try to make this...

The Anthill still features provocative and entertaining spoken word performances as well as rich acoustic music by an eclectic collection of talented artists....

All rendered in a sultry, soulful atmosphere that remains quintessentially pure and intellectually playful.

Date: 21 June 2009

Venue: Buddha Bar, Saipan Restaurant

Bishop Aboyade Cole St., Victoria Island, Lagos

Events for all...

What They Did Not Teach Me In School: Exhibition of paintings, Installations and assemblage by Joseph Eze - Suite e208, Ikota Shopping Complex, Victoria Garden City, Lagos. Opens (4pm) June 4.

9 Writers in Lagos: last leg of the literary tour – African Artists Foundatiuon, 54 Raymond Njoku Street, Ikoyi. 2-5pm. June 6.

The Lion and the Jewel: Theatre @Terra presents the third annual season of 4 plays by Wole Soyinka. Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. 3 & 6pm. June 7.

Oyerinde Olotu’s exhibition: Third solo exhibition of drawings and paintings: ‘Nigeria and Beyond’ - Quintessence, Falomo Shopping Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos. 4pm. Till June 14.

Must-go-to events...

Mark your calendar...

Ahmed Yerima: 52nd birthday presentation of Yerima's new book Discourse on Tragedy & Command Performance of his play, Mojagbe. Cinema Hall 2, National Theatre, Lagos. 4pm-6pm. May 25.

Rainbow Book Club: Discussions and reviews of The Girl Entrepreneurs by Ibukun Awosika. Le Meridian, Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt. 10am-11.30am. May 28.

9 Writers in Warri: Nationwide writers' tour; featuring: Eghosa Imasuen, Toni Kan, Abimbola Adunni Adelakun and others. Flomat Books, Airport Road, Warri. 12 noon-5pm. May 30.

Wole Soyinka's The Trials of Brother Jero, performed in a tripartite production. Cinema Hall 2, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. 5pm. May 29-31.

AWF Creative Writing Workshop: Unoma Azuah leads a workshop organised by the Abuja Writers Forum. AMAC Plaza, Abuja. 9.30am. May 30.

Mirrors and Images: An exhibition of new works by the visual artist, Victor Ehikhamenor. Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Till May 29.

Oyerinde Olotu's exhibition: Opening of Oyerinde Olotu's third solo exhibition of drawings and paintings titled; ‘Nigeria and Beyond'. Quintessence, Falomo Shopping Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos. 4pm. May 30.

Events To Be At!

Words and Pictures (WAPI): Alliance Francaise hosts Nigerians under the theme "Naija, Yes We Can", 22 Magajin Rumfa Road, Kano. 10 am. May 9.

Theatre @ Terra presents the play "Gbanja Roulette", Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos. Every Sunday in May at 3pm and 6pm.

ArtZero in collaboration with Children Living With Cancer Foundation hosts its 3rd edition of "Art on the Mainland" at the National Thatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Exhibition is between May 9 and May 16.

The third Lagos Artists Forum themed "The Artist as a Reporter" holds at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos 11.30 am on May 13.

Events To Be At!

Cultural Festival: Grand finale of the Anioma Cultural Festival. Asaba Arcade, Asaba, Delta State. April 13

Book Presentation: Public presentation of Toni Kan's Nights of the Creaking Bed and Songs of Absence and Despair. Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island. 2pm. April 18

Anatomy of a Woman: Theatre@Terra's presentation of Wole Oguntokun's play. Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island. 3pm & 6pm, Sundays in April.

Beyond the Obvious: An exhibition of paintings by Ade Odunfa, Ogaga Tuodeinye and Sylvester Aigbogun. Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island. 5pm. April 17 to 23.

ANA Meeting: Monthly meeting of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) will hold at the Aina Onabolu Complex, National Gallery of Arts, Iganmu, Lagos. 4pm. April 25.

The World is Flat: An exhibition by Danish curator, Johanne Loegstroup. Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), 9 McEwen Street,Yaba, Lagos.Until May 3.

Ejire: An experimental work on Soyinka's Childe Internationale by Bode Alao. Amphitheatre (Behind new car park) University of Ibadan. 7pm daily. April 22 to May 3.

The Engagement: Femi Osofisan's play by Oracle Repertory Theatre. Amphitheatre (Behind new car park) University of Ibadan, April 22 to May 3. 7.00pm daily

Events To Be At!

Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels: Femi Osofisan’s play directed by Yemi Akintokun with choreography by Isaac Israel. Amphitheatre (Behind new car park) University of Ibadan, Ibadan. 7.00pm. April 9.

Ejire: An experimental work on Soyinka’s Childe Internationale by Bode Alao. Amphitheatre (Behind new car park) University of Ibadan, Ibadan. 7pm daily; April 22 to May 3.

The Engagement: Femi Osofisan’s play by Oracle Repertory Theatre. Amphitheatre (Behind new car park) University of Ibadan, April 22 to May 3. 7.00pm daily.

Susanne Wenger: Final burial ceremony for Adunni Olorisa in Osogbo, Osun State. April 6 to12.

Cultural Festival: Asa Ibile Cultural Festival, Osogbo, Osun State. April 6 to 9.

Auction: ArtHouse Contemporary’s auction of works by Nigerian and Ghanaian artists. Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island. Viewing on April 5. Auction on April 6 2009.

Anatomy of a Woman: Theatre @Terra’s presentation of Wole Oguntokun’s play. Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island. 3pm & 6pm, Sundays in April.

The World is Flat: An exhibition at the Centre of Contemporary Art (CCA), 9 McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. Until May 3.

Events to Be At!

Anatomy of a woman: Theatre @Terra's production of the play, written and directed by Wole Oguntokun - Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos. 3pm & 6pm every Sunday in April.

Abuja Literary Society: Monthly Guest Writers' meeting with ANA President Wale Okediran. Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. 6pm. April 3.

Look and Laugh: Exhibition of Pop Art paintings by Diseye Tantua - Signature Arts, 107 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Until April 4.

The Beauty Within: Retrospective exhibition of Akin Onipede's work - Quintessence, Falomo Shopping Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos. Until April 4.

The world Is Flat: Art exhibition curated by Johanne Løgstrup - Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), 9 McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. Until May 3.

Introducing V-Monologues

V-Monologues 2009 is here.

Tickets are available and can be purchased from:

Terrakulture

The Soul Lounge (The Palms Shopping Mall)

Quintessence

Domino Stores

KIND Center @ 60, Lanre Awolokun Street, Gbagada Phase 2

Book now by calling 01-8179398 or 8902970.

Please circulate among your networks.

V-Monologues...the play for women and the men that love them...you will understand better when you watch!

Enjoy one of the monologues here:

THE AUGUST VISITOR(Delivered in a Middle Belt dialect)

VOICE: It is tradition in certain parts of our country that when a guest comes to the house, the wife or daughter of the host is given to the friend of the house to give him pleasure for the duration of the visit.

The song, ‘Kerewa’ plays

WOMAN: My husband brought home his fat friend again yesterday.

The one with the protruding stomach and beer-stained breath.

The one with the fat fat arms, who wheezes as he walks,

Clothes smoked with camphor to stay the lice that thrive on him

He looks you up and down as if measuring the worth of cattle

Papa Adele, my husband and I call him.

‘Papa Adele, Papa Adele, please don’t stay,’ the children would sing behind his back.

The household is already asleep

My husband wakes me to make food for his friend.

‘Papa Adele is important,’ he says to me.

A man who can steer the family business the right way,

who can make us hold our heads high

as we seek a path through life’s maze,

to make a better life for the children.

We need a television, my husband says to me

And a small generator for electricity

the kind they call ‘I better pass my neighbour’

Papa Adele will help us.

I make the food,

Eyes tired, hands weak,

And my husband and he,

They eat, drink and laugh

Long into the night as I return to bed.

Then my husband comes,

That dark hour before dawn

Tapping my feet where I lie,

Stinking of our local brew.

‘Wake Terlumun,’ he says to me.

‘Tell her to go to our visitor’s room

And see that he lacks nothing through the night.’

‘Our child sleeps,’ I tell him,

‘Her day was hard and she is not yet rested. She would be of little use to our friend.’

‘Then you must go, he says to me

Tonight, our friend must not lie alone.’

So, I gather myself and go out of my husband’s room,

Down the dark corridor, into our visitor’s room.

He lies on the bed, belly up in the sky,

This bleached whale like a dead, dead fish with his fat fat arms.

He winks as I come through the door

And he rolls to one side, arm under heavy-jawed chin-

Striving to look young.

And then he says to me with a leer on his face,

‘I thought the young one would come tonight.

Still, what can beat experience?’

I nod in weariness, in acceptance, as I settle by his side.

Calloused hands cup my buttocks,

Teeth eroded with cavities clamp on my breasts,

Sweat-laden armpit brushes against my face

as he comports, gathers himself,

And then weight is lowered onto me.

My husband,

Pretending sleep in the next room

Does not hear the wheezing of his friend, Papa Adele,

As he thrusts into the borrowed vagina.

It is a sign of hospitality.

A sign of our friendliness.

If you enjoyed this, then be at one of the performances, there are more!

Events To Be At!

Abuja Writers' Forum: Weekly critique and reading sessions - Sam's Valley Garden, Jimmy Carter Crescent, off Protea Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja. 4pm every Sunday.

The Swamp Dwellers: The National Theatre's production of Wole Soyinka's play - National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Dates: 6 to 23 March.

Has.son Sage Listening Party: performances from the spoken-word/songspeak album, ‘Twinkly Twinkle Superstar' - Lydos Cafe/Bar, Akin Adesola opposite Adeola Odeku Junction, Victoria Island, Lagos. Time: 5 to 7pm. Date: 7 March

Prison Chronicles: Theatre@Terra's performances of Wole Oguntokun's play - Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos. 3pm & 6pm, every Sunday in March. Price: N2,000. Contact: laspapi@yahoo.com.

The Hounding of David Oluwale: Eclipse Theatre's production of the adaptatation by Oladipo Agboluaje - Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, UK (http://www.everymanplayhouse.com). Dates: 3 to 7 March.

Boudoir Terracotta: Exhibition of the paintings of Onyema Offoedu-Okeke - Didi Museum, 175 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Until March 9.

Like A Virgin: exhibition of photography by Lucy Azubuike and Zanele Muholi; Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), 9 McEwen Street, Yaba, Lagos. Until March 14.

Please email details of your forthcoming art/literary events 14 days in advance, to: bookaholicblog@gmail.com.