It’s the week for you if you’re a theatre or film lover – KITFest is on at the Kenya National Theatre and Unseen Nairobi is hosting a film festival with a number of films you’re unlikely to see otherwise. That’s in addition to the usual offerings this city gives us. check out what’s on iN Nairobi this week!
MONDAY 11 November
SCREENiNG
Under Our Skin Film Festival | Unseen Nairobi | 6:30pm
Claimant (20 min) | Iran | Nadereh Sadat Serki
“Claimant”is about a father who discovers that his teenage daughter was assaulted and raped so decides to confront and punish the rapist, but since the culprit is a very proficient lawyer he uses laws in a way that he not only escapes from justice but also legally make the father the criminal.
Impure (1 hr 23 min) | Germany | Rico Herre
Upon experiencing her first menstruation at school, June, a twelve-year- old Kenyan girl, grapples with the harsh reality of unawareness, exclusion, and shame. Since no one has educated her about this natural process, she is taunted by her classmates, faces mistreatment from her teacher, and is left with unanswered questions. What is happening to her body? Is she sick? Could she even infect her pregnant mother? On top of all this, will she ever be able to show her face at school again? In her desperation, she runs away from home… “IMPURE” is a thought- provoking coming-of-age story that addresses the stigma of “period shaming”, drawing inspiration from tragic real-life events.
These 2 films will be followed by a panel discussion. The full festival schedule is available here.
Knit’s Island | Alliance Française | 6pm
Somewhere on the internet is a land where communities pretend to live out a survivalist fiction. The avatars of the directors of Knit’s Island spent 963 hours there, creating a fascinating film resulting from their encounter with these communities. The “players” reveal their fears and fantasies, in an at times unsettling blurring of the real and the virtual.
Crafty’s Movie Night | No Time to Die | 7pm
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
Monday Movie Night with Mugambi Nthiga: The Wizard of Oz | K1 Clubhouse | 7:30pm
The Wizard Of Oz – popularised colour film and fantasy as a movie genre. For its vision, global impact and visual achievements, it is considered one of the greatest films of all time.
Rafiki Art Space Open Studio | Kibera | 11am – 5pm | Call for info 0705753590
Last days of Rafiki’s Open Studio, catch it today & tomorrow Tuesday 12 November.
TUESDAY 12 November
iNTROSPECTION
Yoga with Rupa | Shamba Events (Shamba Cafe) | Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30am
Join @towards_health_with_rupa for an hour of yoga to jump start your day with wellness.
iN254
Farmers Market | Bamba | 10am – 3:30pm
Come by to shop for fresh produce & organic products while you grab some lunch & a beverage. Bring the kids or catch up with some friends.
iNQUISITIVE
Quiz Night Connect | 254 Beer District | 7pm
Looking for a fun and engaging way to unwind after a long day? Bring your colleagues or friends and form a team of 2-15 players for an evening filled with brain-teasing trivia, networking opportunities and great positive vibes. With exciting categories like: We Love To Science, From Z to A, Sports Faces, ‘Baby’ Songs
1st place wins 5K cash and JW Black Label and 2nd place wins 5K cash. Both teams qualify for the finals where the prize is 20K! The winners’ list has been reset, so now’s your chance to claim the top spot. Plus, enjoy the live beats of DJ Rane throughout the night. Reserve your spot: call 0713052635
iNTUNE
Nairobi International Piano Season | Alliance Française | 7pm
Juliana Steinbach plays a vast concerto repertoire and regularly appears as a soloist with orchestras in Europe, North America, Asia, and Brazil. She will enchant the public with beautiful melodies of Bach, Haydn, Chopin, and Villa-Lobos. Her elegant phrasing delivered with extraordinary charm is sure to enchant the public.
*Please note that previous events have been overpacked. To avoid disapointments, please come early. First come, first served*
Urbane Tuesday: Wanavokali | Geco Cafe | From 7pm
This Tuesday we welcome @Wanavokali to #UrbaneTuesday! Are you even ready for their new album? As a live act, wanavokali have continued to set the standard on stage, with creative approaches to melodies, performance and have built a huge following as a result. Curated by @mackinlay_music
iNSTAGES
KITFest | Nairobi National Theatre | Through Sunday 17 November | Various timings
With a day off on Monday, KITFest continures from Tuesday this week. For a full write up with lots of information, have a look at our article here!
KITFest Masterclass: Theatre in a Digital Age | Kenya National Theatre | 10am
Guest speaker Fedari Oyagi will address this highly relevant topic, of interest to both theatre practitioners and the theatre attending public. Entry is FREE, registration is required.
KITFest Monologue Champs | Kenya National Theatre | 2 – 4pm
Attention actors! Come with your monologue prepared for the KITFest Monologue Champs Audition, where the 10 best get shortlisted for the final competition.
KITFest Masterclass: Telling Our Own Story | Mwalimu John Sibu-Okumu | 6pm
The illustrious Mwalimu John Sibu-Okumu will share his insights on challenges to the Kenyan stage, in this enlightening masterclass that is part of KITFest 2024’s ambitious program. Entry is FREE, registration is required.
SCREENiNG
Under Our Skin Film Festival | Unseen Nairobi | 6:30pm
ÑUÑUYACHIY (23 min) | Spain | Jose Miguel Soriano Ricardo Macian and The Oath (1 hr 13 min) | Spain | Jorge Martínez will be followed by a panel discussion, after which, Inherited Shame (50 min) Hungary | Fruzsina Skrabski Sándor Kiss and Jambo (08 min) | United States | Ilysa Spencer will be screened. Full synopses can be found on the programme.
WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER
iNSTYLE
K A T U S H x T H E S T A T I O N | Shah Houses, Ngara | 5 – 14 November | 10am – 5pm | By appointment
Last few days to view this exhibition. The 10-year anniversary exhibition celebrates a decade of Katush, showcasing iconic designs, behind-the-scenes stories, and immersive art installations. From the brand’s early beginnings to its global impact, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of Katush and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of African fashion.
iNSTAGES
KITFest: Trickster | Kenya National Theatre | 3 – 4pm
Our guide for this dance performance is the African folktale featuring the gender fluid trickster character ANANSI, a cunning shapeshifting spider with human qualities who lives under a rock in the African desert, and is gatekeeper between the worlds of heaven and earth/ man and Gods. Trickster, who takes the shape of different objects and animals, takes our characters on a journey of mystery and imagination to the crossroads, a resting place on their spiritual journey, where good and evil begin their final battle and Trickster is on hand to save the day. A UK/Kenya international collaboration created by choreographer Ben Love of Ballet Soul.
KITFest: Kawaida Nzuri | KNT Ukumbi Mdogo | 4 – 5pm
The play explores the tension between artistic vulnerability and societal indifference, as once-celebrated actor Adrian questions the relevance of theatre today and his role within it while grappling with reclaiming his passion for performance in a world that seems to have moved on.
KITFest: Whispers of Power | Kenya National Theatre | 7 – 9pm
Through music, poetry, storytelling, dance, and visual arts, musician Liboi, contemporary dancer Maulid Owino, and storyteller Wakio Mzenge invite you on an artistic journey into the soul to connect with your source of power and feel rooted in your existence. Imagine it as a musical combined with guided meditation, enhanced by curated visuals. The performance is an immersive and transformative experience, meticulously crafted to ignite inspiration and empowerment. The audience is actively invited to participate in this safe and inclusive space. The event seeks to unveil inner potential, foster self-awareness and personal growth, deliver a captivating artistic experience, and promote collaboration across artistic fields.
iNTUNE
WD Abbo + Mahdiya: Beyond Borders, Reuniting Sudanese Spirits in Exile| Alliance Française | 7pm
Sudanese musicians Mohamed Adam (WD Abbo) and Mahdiya team up to take the audience on a nostalgic journey back to their beloved country Sudan. Mahdiya’s music features the popular Sudanese genre, aghani barat, a powerful expressive tool for women across Sudan. WD Abbo, from Darfur, uses hi music to celebrate the cultural heritage of minority communities in Sudan.
Dagoz Nomads Blues | Ankole Grill, Kilimani | 7:30pm
SCREENiNG
Revolution Until Victory | Cheche Books | 7pm
A film screening from the @palfilminstitute‘s “Provoked Narratives” film programme. The film screenings will be followed by a discussion and will raise funds for mutual aid in Gaza.
Kufr Shuba was directed by the Iraqi filmmaker Samir Nimr, and named after the village of Kufr Shuba in South Lebanon, which was the site of solidarity between the Lebanese people and the Palestinian resistance following a fierce battle that devastated the village. It’s filmic structure is reminiscent of Mustafa Abu Ali’s seminal 1974 film They Do Not Exist in its oscillation between lyrical aesthetics and political statement.
Under Our Skin Film Festival | Unseen Nairobi | 6:30pm
Five short films will be screened on Wednesday as part of the festival: Under Surveillance (22 min) | Brazil | Joao Paulo Vicente, Death in Jenin (21 min) | United States | Chris Giamo, Pedigree (8 min) | United States |Brittney S. Harris, Russ Fulmore, and Europe (8 min) | Spain | Ekain Irigoien, Let it know | (60 min) | Spain | Amaia Merino, Ander Iriarte. Followed by a panel discussion. Full synopses can be found on the programme.
iNJEST
Looking for some good vibes and laughter in Nairobi? Join us on Wednesday for the Giggles and Tickles Show at The Nairobi Laugh bar . We have an amazing lineup of comedians ready to bring the laughs and help you unwind after the hustle.
THURSDAY 14 November
iNSTAGES
KITFest: Song Unburied | KNT Cheche Gallery | 4 – 5 pm
A new play from Zimbabwe reigniting the debate on reparation and return of artefacts from colonizing nations to their African homes.
KITFest: Because I Always Feel Like Running | Studio Panda-Shuka | 5 – 6pm
Ogutu Muraya explores the phenomenon and politics of running in East Africa, where athletic prowess in middle and long-distance categories emerged alongside independence movements. Since the 1960s, athletes’ success has become integral to nation-building and post-independence identity. This performance weaves historical, documentary, and personal narratives in a study of endurance running, focusing on resilience mental and physical tenacity. It highlights the stories of Abebe Bikila, Kipchoge Keino, and John Steven Akhwari, examining the runner’s body as both a political symbol and a resilient biological entity.
iNTHEARTS
Fashioning a Nation: The Talks| Goethe Institut |6 – 8pm
Alongside the exhibition of Sunny Dolat’s fascinating research around historical fashion in Kenya, there will be two evenings of engaging talks and unique insights into the intersections of fashion, culture, and national identity.
Stay tuned @goetheinstitut_nairobi for more details of each event.
iNTHEDARK
Never been done before in the 254… All the way from S.A. 🇿🇦 @kususaofficial will be live at Soho and a debut act will make their maiden perfomance for a back to back set.
Thursday Wind Down | Bamba | From 7:30pm
Thursday Wind Down kicks off the weekend at Bamba with djIBZ on the decks with funky & melodic house.
SCREENiNG
Under Our Skin Film Festival | Unseen Nairobi | 6:30pm
The Shadow Pandemic (49 min) | Switzerland | Paola Ghislieri: Set in the Romandy region in Switzerland, The Shadow Pandemic investigates the widespread domestic and sexual violences in the country.
The Souvenir (20 min) | Iran | Alireza Farzad: A vague story of a girl’s life that has been destroyed due to the death of her mother. But her mother’s death is not the main reason and the external roots of the problem are slowly emerging. The Souvenir is a modern version of a story that may have been told many times, but with a special style of narration and a strange atmosphere that serves the story, the story has taken on a new color.