BEVERLEY KNIGHT SIGNED UP FOR MALAWI’S LAKE OF STARS

Festival goers from around the world will be descending on the palm fringed shores of Lake Malawi for the Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi’s award winning annual international arts festival. And with the excitement building, the festival organisers have announced the final acts completing the line-up, including a huge headliner in the form of UK soul legend Beverley Knight!
The festival will feature over 80 acts including the Kenya’s Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda as well the best in Malawian music from Black Missionaries and Lucius Banda, African legends Freshlyground, and the award winning UK act Foals. With artists from a record breaking 12 countries, this year’s event reinforces Lake of Stars’ reputation as a truly global, naturally Malawian event.



Speaking from the festival site on Lake Malawi, festival founder Will Jameson said: “There’s a massive buzz around the festival this year. We had two great pre parties in Malawi last weekend which gave everyone a taste of what’s in store. Tickets are flying out of the door here in Malawi - and across the world - and epic roadtrips are being organised from as far as Kenya and South Africa by fans desperate to see their favourite bands play in the Warm Heart of Africa!”
Announcing the latest headline act, Jameson said: “I’m so excited that Beverley Knight, UK soul legend and Christian Aid ambassador, will be playing at Lake of Stars while she is in Malawi visiting Christian Aid HIV projects. Part of what makes Lake of Stars so special is the opportunity provided for unique artist collaborations, and seeing Beverley sing with musicians from Malawian band Mafilika is going to be truly spectacular!”


Mista Jam

“This really is shaping up to be our best and most diverse line-up to date with everything from chart topping international bands to Malawian DJs to Japanese drummers to Rwandan inanga players and absolutely everything in between. “
The festival site is looking busy as local carpenters construct the three stages, and equipment and volunteers begin to arrive. And with the weather forecast predicting it will be a sunny 30 degrees Celsius, the stage is almost set for the world’s most stunningly located festival.
Jameson added: “The festival was borne from a desire to raise money for a developing economy, promote Malawi as a top travel destination and expose Malawian artists to international crowds, as well as putting on an amazing event that now forms part of the global festival circuit.
“Last year the festival generated $1,000,000 of local spend with around a third being in foreign currency, over 100 local people were employed and more than 1000 hotel beds were slept in providing a major boost to local families and businesses.”

CHIZI TALKS LAKE OF STARS FESTIVAL IN MALAWI

Dan 'Chizi' Aceda will be the first ever Kenyan act to play live at Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi’s annual international arts festival. In a year of firsts, Lake of Stars will also be screening Pumzi, Kenya’s first science fiction film by Wanuri Kahiu, in the festival’s cinema area.
The festival takes place from 30 September to 2 October on the palm fringed shores of Lake Malawi. The line-up cements Lake of Stars’ reputation as a truly global, naturally Malawian event with dozens of Malawian acts being joined by talent from across Africa and beyond, including Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, France and the USA.
Launching the Lake of Stars 2011 line up, festival founder Will Jameson said “It’s hard to imagine a better festival than last year- our biggest and best to date. But this year we’re going to be taking our best ever line up of talent, featuring African legends, new international acts and the best of Malawian talent, as well as theatre, spoken word and dance.
Introducing some of the headline acts, Jameson said: “This year we are really excited to have one of the world’s greatest live acts, Foals, headlining the festival. Foals are fresh from playing a selection of the world’s most prolific festivals this summer to incendiary reactions, so it’s only natural their next stop should be what Q Magazine has described as the ‘finest festival in the world’.



“We’ve also got Freshlyground performing their first ever public Malawian gig. They have been on Lake of Stars radar for a number of years, so we’re proud to provide a platform for their first ever public performance in Malawi. Plus we’re privileged to be welcoming back Black Missionaries, living legends of the Malawian music scene who have rocked Lake of Stars whenever they have played”.
“Baio, the bass player of New York band Vampire Weekend will be keeping the crowd going after hours. Baio’s DJ sets have rocked clubs across the globe from Ibiza to Paris and Sydney to Seoul, but this will be his DJ debut in Africa.”



Hot Secrets caught up with Chizi and threw a few questions his way...

How did you get involved with the festival?
Well, this year the goal was always to play a lot more concerts outside of Kenya so my team and I were actively looking for such opportunities. So we applied to the festival and through my manager Buddha Blaze (the best in the business) and sent in my music and clips. The festival organizers loved it and that was that. They offered us the opportunity and we grabbed it quickly! Blaze worked tirelessly to put this together, I am very grateful to him.



Do the Malawi fans and market have a feel of your music? Have they heard any of your singles?
That’s an interesting question. Now with the internet it’s much easier for us to share the music internationally and so I am sure that Malawi has heard a few songs. In any case if they haven’t then this is our chance to introduce them to it. Besides all that, over the past year we have worked really hard to get the music into the international circuit so I am not worried about that. All we have to do when we get there is play a good show!

Is this your first major continental performance? if not please tell me about the others.
Yes this is the first time I will play so far away from home. I mean I have been a part of productions that have toured other countries but this is the first time I am going on tour on my own merit.




How does it feel being the first ever Kenyan to play live at Lake of Stars
You know I actually had no idea that I was to be the first Kenyan to LOS, so it was quite exhilarating. It’s an honor to stand before any audience to perform but if you then become some kind of ambassador for your country then the honor is doubled. To tell you the truth, Im still reeling from the reality that I will in a sense be “carrying the Kenyan flag” to a festival. And I may never get over the fact that I will be sharing the stage with big African acts such as Freshly Ground and The Foals…

You will be donating the Mabawa Initiative charity supplies soon. Tell me what the plans are in place and what the feeling is on the ground about the initiative.
Well, the actual date is First week of September because the kids are on holiday right now. The plan is to get a Caravan of cars filled with books to deliver these books to Mungoiya Primary School in Kiambu County. Simple as that. I am very grateful for all the support that the Mabawa Project has received so far and look forward to the future with optimism. People are handing me books while in traffic! It’s really encouraging. As soon as we can set up formal drop off points we will be able to increase efficiency. If we keep going like we are now, we may oversupply the kids very soon!

MO FAYA SELECTED FOR SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB

Top Kenyan thespian Mumbi Kaigwa will join other East African filmmakers and entertainers selected for the second Sundance Institute Theatre Lab on Manda, Lamu for a two-week exchange and development program.
The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab kicks off on July 17 till July 31 and will also feature other participating artists from East Africa including Andnet Dagnew (Ethiopia), Philip Luswata (Uganda), (Kenya), Schollarstickar Luwi (Tanzania), Pili Malundila (Tanzania) and Angel Uwamahoro (Rwanda). In addition to the Fellows, Creative Advisors for the Lab are: Hope Azeda (Rwanda), Lynn Nottage (USA), Stew (USA), Indhu Rubasingham (UK) and Liesl Tommy (USA/South Africa).
The selected filmmakers will join Mumbi who played the lead lady, Anna Mali in the theatrical release of Mo Faya. Eric Wainaina who played DJ Lwanda wrote the play. Anna seduced DJ Lwanda to keep him away from the slums and fighting for the rights of it’s inhabitants of Kwa Maji. When the government and media turn a blind eye to the decapitated bodies in the streets, DJ Lwanda must return home to expose the truth. But at what cost?
The cast also included Dan Chizi Aceda, Atemi Ayungu, Valerie Kimani and Peter King among others.
"For 25 years, Sundance Institute's Theatre Program has been discovering and developing new work, always with a focus on richness and diversity of storytelling," said Keri Putnam, Executive Director of the Institute. "Now in its fifth year, the East Africa initiative reflects our commitment to connecting with the stories and histories of other cultures, and supporting artists who can share them with global audiences."
"The insight and feedback we received for last year's charter Theatre Lab on Manda affirmed our belief that cultural exchange informs arts and artists on a deep level," said Himberg.
Sundance Institute East Africa is a program to support the work of theatre artists in East Africa, as well as to create exchange and exposure opportunities between U.S. artists and East African writers, directors, and performers.

DAN CHIZI STARTS PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVE

The crown prince of Benga music in Kenya, Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda will launch a new philanthropic initiative called Mabawa Project. The objective of the initiative is to give every child - especially poor children - a chance to fly, to achieve greatness, by giving them simple resources that empower them like books, class rooms, computers and mentorship.



This comes after a damning education report by Uwezo Initiative, that shows children graduating from primary schools without necessary reading and counting skills.
“I believe in humanity. I believe that deep down every human being has the will and desire to succeed in all that they do. I also believe that all anyone ever needs is a chance. A chance to show people their ability, a chance to touch another person’s life, a chance to even change the world,” Chizi said.



He continued: “I want to reach someone in a simple way that creates an enabling environment for them to succeed. I want to seek ways to remove the obstacles that hinder the development of our children and give each one a shot at making it in this cruel world. I want to make the playing field level so that every child can achieve greatness. I seek mainly to empower them because I believe that deep down inside they have the ability and spirit to do the rest. I seek to offer them the wings because I am confident that they will put in the work necessary for them to learn to fly.”



The Blackberry hitmaker has produced a soundtrack single Mabawa, set for a Sunday July 24, release at Santa Fe, the Mall, Westlands. The song and the initiative will mobilize his fans to give books, pens, toys, and any other educational materials to give to poor kindergarten and primary school children who need them.



The donated materials will be delivered to Muongoiya Primary School in Muchatha village, Kiambu County on August 5, where the video for the song will be shot.
“We shall do a remix of the song with other musicians in Kenya, including the vernacular as we grow the audience for the initiative – the givers and the supporters,” Chizi concluded.
The Mabawa Project is planned to be an East African initiative that creates support for children across East Africa

IT'S A GENTLEMAN'S AFFAIR

On Thursday, April 21, four prolific Kenyan stars will host a concert in memory of fallen rumba legend Musa Juma. The Gentleman’s Affair promises to be a great night with performance on this evening will include a special tribute to Musa Juma. Tickets retail at KShs 500 in advance and KShs 800 at the door.
Advance tickets now available at Alliance Francaise reception and at Sound Africa 20th century music store.

The four are:-

Aceda Chizi
The 'crown prince of benga' is fast becoming the flavour of Kenyan fusion and jazz music with a reputation that is growing by leaps and bounds. This multi-talented young artist released his first album titled Suluwe back in 2005 while at Nairobi based Kijiji Records and his second album Benganology in 2010 to rave reviews and a series of regular performances at various city spots leaving fans wanting more.This will be his 3rd A-ffair performance after bringing the house down in August.

Adwar Chris
The Villagers Band led by the talented Chris Adwar released their sophomore new album Nofork Hotel in December 2009. This Nairobi based band comprising 9 members has a unique style of music dubbed Bengenge, which is a form of Afro Fusion that is heavily influenced by Benga, Mbalax, Kwela, Mbaqanga, Hi-life and other forms of African music, and fused with smooth urban chords and melodies. This will be their third A-ffair performance after electrifying performances in August. The band is hot off the release of 2 videos for the singles Wa Me and They Dance.

Asiyo Jacob
Jacob began playing piano at the tender age of 11 after hearing a piano being played in the music room at his elementary school. An intense determination that has its roots in this childhood recollection has led to Jacob becoming not only a very competent musician but an extremely passionate one as well. This would be his second performance on the A-ffair stage after an amazing and soulful performance in August ‘10.

Abbi Nyinza
New addition to the concert series is Abbi Nyinza. Mostly known in the genre of afro-fusion / World Music, Abbi together with the band Kiwketu, has travelled and participated in well-reputed festivals as Mundial (Holland), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), African Cultural Music and Dance Festival (South Africa), Fest Horn (Djibouti) to mention a few. In 2010 Abbi embarked on a musical journey with Danish producers Claus Seest and Pharfar. The new reggae album is expected to be released in 2011.

CHIZI AND MZUNGU KICHAA BATTLE IN NAIROBI

The stage was set for a battle between Benga star Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda and Bongo act Mzungu Kichaa in a one off concert.
The event dubbed Benga vs Bongo organised by the Goethe-Institut, Nairobi, took place at the institute's auditorium on January 28 from 8pm. It was a free concert.
Chizi told Hot Secrets that the gig is an “opportunity for fans to see a mash up of two interesting music cultures and styles. It will also bring out Bongo and Danish influences that make Mzungu Kichaa interesting,” he said. “I wish we could have more of these forums and events to grow the industry. We are doing this purely for the love of art.”



The performers clashed with their songs and styles, which created an unforgettable experience.
On the Benga corner was Chizi, 25, described as a ‘lyrical genius’. Music fanatics recognise the self-proclaimed Crown Prince of Benga by his popular hits like Black Berry, Saida and Waacha Waseme.



On the Bongo Flava corner was Mzungu Kichaa. The Danish born singer, who grew up in Tanzania, he is fluent in Swahili and his name translates to ‘the crazy white man’. His singles Wajanja, Msanii wa Sanaa and even Jitolee featuring Profesa Jay and Mwasiti have topped the East African music charts.

CHIZI LAUNCHES BENGANOLOGY

On Friday night, Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda proved to the large audience that converged at the Kenya National Museum why he is the crown prince of benga.
Chizi launched his second album Benganology backed by Doris Onyango and Dela. Like he promised he delivered the ‘music of the gods’ with a mix of benga, kapuka and Afro-fusion.
To prove his point Chizi fused benga into Michael Jackson’s hit Human Nature and Neyo’s RnB single So Sick.
Other acts that supported Chizi at the launch and are also featured in the album included Eric Wainaina, Sanaipei Tande, Chris Adwar and the Villagers band.

WHY CHIZI’S ALBUM WAS NOT MASTERED ABROAD

Kenya’s crown prince of benga Dan 'Chizi' Aceda told Hot Secrets why he opted to have his sophomore album, Benganology mastered by a Kenyan producer and not abroad as was earlier planned.
“The time left to take it abroad for mastering was way too short and it wouldn’t make the July 30 deadline when I’m launching the album,” Chizi said.
Chizi has been in communication with Dave Kush, a man famous for working with John Legend, Alicia Keys, Outkast and Al Green amongst many others, at the The Mastering Palace.
Chizi meet him when he was in New York, on tour with Mo Faya the political musical that starred Eric Wainaina and Valerie Kimani.
The Soufle singer was considering another studio, Hilton Grove Mastering, a UK based studio run by engineer Dave Blackman to also do some work on his album.
Chizi opted for David ‘Blackman’ Muthami. “You will remember that I had the fantastic one of kind opportunity to either get it done at The Mastering Palace in New York or at Hilton Grove in London at extremely subsidized rates of Sh 121,000 (1500USD) But unfortunately I managed to miss both,” he said, “The album recordings just tended to drag on and on and now I may not be able to get the work done abroad by the July 30 deadline.”
The album launch will be at Kenya National Museum grounds on July 30.