Nairobi, Kenya:
The Kenya Cultural Music Festival came to an end yesterday (Dec. 11, 2003) with a big bang! The finalist concert included dances, cultural displays and choral performances drawn from the 42 different ethnic tribes of Kenya. As with previous years participating groups came from private and public companies, churches, thaetre groups, cultural dance groups, etc. There was some Western music, with presentations at the piano, brass, and vocal selections. We also had a performance from the Indian community in Kenya too. A wide range of African instruments also featured this year, and it was quite educational for our urban youth to watch, listen, and to appreciate the skills of the performer. Blasto Ooko, the famed Orutu (a 1-stringed fiddle) player gave a most incredible presentation. People were astounded to hear all their common folk tunes performed on this single-stringed instrument was able to play many common tunes, and of course, the audience sang heartily with Blasto most of the time! There was rich poetry and short plays in both local languages and in English. In this category storytelling captivated the audience the most, as crafty storytellers kept everyone at the edge of their seats. Outside the performing halls there were exhibitions on Kenya’s lifestyles, fashion, and cuisine. The Guest of honour, Prof.Wangari Mathai gave a very encouraging speech on the government’s intent to maintain cultural programming in its budget. She said she would work hard to ensure that local artists make a modest living from their work. The Chairman of the festival, Hon.Boniface Mganga also gave a very encouraging speech. He asked artists not to give up, reminding them that they now have a voice in Parliament. Mr. Mganga, founding director of the famed Muungano National Choir, pointed out key issues on how culture can be promoted not only in Kenya but also in Africa at large. “Music has the capacity to transmit messages far and deep across the world,” he said.

- Joseph Muyale Inzai.

St. Louis, MO:
The St. Louis African Chorus begins a new series called African Choral Odyssey Series. The African Choral Odyssey Series is a mosaic of vibrant choral music from diverse regions of Africa, and has been designed to educate the public about the diversity of African choral music. Audiences will experience world-class entertainment, and in the process be enriched in the nature and diversity of African choral music. Events scheduled in the dances of southern Africa, and The Boys Choir of Kenya. Upcoming concerts and ticket information online at www.africanchorus.org/Calendar.htm.  

Kansas City, MO:
The date is October 22-24, and the magnificent campus of Park University, Parkville. The Festival of African & African-American Music returns to Missouri. See page 6 for details.