Whether you’re looking for art or live music, quiz nights or dj beatz, it’s happening this week iN Nairobi. Check out what’s on iN Nairobi this week!
TUESDAY 21 January
iNTHEARTS
Exhibition Opening: Fragments of Home | Sena Art Gallery X Under the Swahili Tree | From 6pm
SenaArt Gallery is honored to present “Fragments of Home: A Rwandese Odyssey”, a compelling solo exhibition by one of our emerging artists Romeo Niyigena, opening on Tuesday, 21st January 2025, at Under The Swahili Tree, Karen.
SCREENiNG
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | BaoBox | 7pm | Free entry
Classic Bollywood at BaoBox this week!
STREAMiNG
Tricksters | 20-26 January | Online | Monangambee X Institute of Contemporary Arts (London)
Tricksters – a free online screenings series inspired by John Akomfrah’s Listening All Night to the Rain, organised by @monangambee and @icalondon The title for this program comes from one of the main characteristics of the orisha Èṣù in Yoruba spirituality and Ananse in Akan mythology. Tricksters holds a double edge — playful, mischievous and open to possibilities, they hold promises but also the risks and perils associated with uncertainty and irreverence towards colonial law and norms. Engaging artists from the African diaspora with the aesthetics, practice and social commitments of Listening All Night To The Rain, Tricksters will showcase work by six African artists.
Films
⭐ Apapa Amusement Park, Karimah Ashadu, 2013, Nigeria, 3mn
⭐ Liberty, Faren Humes, 2019, United States, 17mn
⭐ On Freedom of Movement (wi de muv), Julianknxx, 2022, Sierra Leone, 10mn
⭐ Specialised Technique, Igwe, 2018, Nigeria, 7mn
⭐ Trading Memories, Olukemi Lijadu, 2022, UK/Nigeria, 3mn
⭐ A Letter (side B), Larry Achiampong, 2023, Ghana, 20mn
📍Online
🔗 via @monangambee / monangambee.org/events
iNTUNE
TRIBE BREWED SESSIONS • Freed Mushaga × Creataz Dam | Geco Cafe | 7pm
Freed Mushaga is a talented singer, songwriter, and lawyer from Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is known for his unique blend of Soul and African Pop music, drawing inspiration from traditional Congolese sounds and contemporary influences. His music carries powerful messages about peace, love, social justice, and hope.
iNQUISITIVE
Quiz Night Connect | 254 Beer District | From 6:30pm
Tuesday – We start with Quiz Night, get your teams ready for an exciting game night with @quizmasters.africa
Trivia Karaoke | Tamasha Hurlingham
Trivia karaoke hosted by @sanaipei.tande @djlorc This TUESDAY. Amaizing prizes coming your way. Call 0701109688 for reservations.
iNTROSPECTION
Men’s Circle | Our WonderHouse | 6 – 8pm
The monthly Men’s circle is a safe space to share knowledge & inspiration for mental, emotional and spiritual support. This month’s theme: Guilt & Shame: Mistakes are human and beating ourselves up is optional. This is a safe, judgment-free environment where all men are encouraged to connect, reflect, and grow. Your presence is valued, and you are welcome just as you are. Sign up on ourwonderhouse.com
WEDNESDAY 22 January
iNTHEARTS
Exhibition Opening: New Visions | Group Exhibition | Circle Art Gallery | 6-8pm
Featuring works by Ethel Aanyu, Liberatha Alibalio, Pamela Enyonu, Fetlework Tadesse, Sandra Wauye and Birhane Worede, New Visions offers a cross-section of work in photography, digital collage, painting, mixed media and textile arts, inviting viewers into introspective moments and extending that to broader relational concerns. Rigorous and reverential in their working methods, these artists stretch their approaches to media and narrative, engaging with a collection of cares such as; grief, ritual, memory, interdependence, lineage, nationhood, and self-presentation.
iN254
Open Mic 254 | Masshouse, Ngong Racecourse | From 7pm
The vibes continue every Wednesday at @masshouse_live 🎤 showcasing uptapped talent, with hope and aspirations, to advance to the next stage of a creatives journey. It’s a safe space for an individual to express themselves. To learn stage presence. To unleash parts of themselves they are yet to uncover and network with like minded individuals wanting to grow.
Come through and check out Nairobi’s talent! 🎭
TO PARTICIPATE:
• Register on the sign up sheet at MASSHOUSE by 7PM 📝 22 spots available, first come, first serve!
• Show starts at 8PM
• Bring your own instruments 🎸
iNTUNE
Swahili Ally | Cuban Code | 7:30pm
Swahili Ally is an extremely talented singer and Kora player from Tanga, Tanzania 🇹🇿. He was born into a musical family. Taught by his grandparents, elders, and respected musicians from the Wadigo ethnic group, he was passed the traditional Digo music and family roots from an early age on. Today, @swahili_ally fuses his vibrant performance of Digo music with the dazzling sound of the Kora.His performance will take you places!
Aphropatra | 254 Beer District | 6pm
Wednesday – We sing live at TBD with @_aphropatra_ . Come and let’s sing along followed by an amazing Karaoke session Make your reservations today via 254713052635 – Entry is Free.
Live Acoustic ft Brian Sigu| Ankole Grill, Kilimani | 7:30pm
Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress, guitarist, percussionist…you name it! She incorporates African chants and prayers fusing African music with genres like jazz, blues, reggae…again, you name it. We can’t wait to have you back on the Kilimani stage Muhonja. Call 0710 202020—reservations highly recommended! Entry is FREE.
Karaoke Wednesday | Bla Bla Nairobi | 8pm
Wednesdays we sing our mid – week stress away with @delathedelz only at @blablanairobi Come by early for Happy Hour: BOGOF on cocktails 11am – 7pm.
SCREENiNG
From Ground Zero | Century Cinemax, Two Rivers | 6pm
Witness the creativity of 22 Gazan filmmakers in From Ground Zero, a project spearheaded by Rashid Masharawi and now Oscar-shortlisted. It’s a film made during war, but not about war, it’s about the lives and dreams of Palestinians on the ground in Gaza. There are fewer than 50 tickets left at the time of writing… Book tickets as fast as you can on mookh.com
Don’t miss the chance to explore the stories and hear from the filmmaker!
Read more about the film & it’s makers in our story.
iNQUISITIVE
Movie Quiz Night | Unseen Nairobi | 7pm
Get ready for the first Movie Quiz of 2025! Take a break from your screens and join your fellow film buffs for a fun night of movie trivia. Whether you’re a walking encyclopedia of auteurs or just love a good heckling session, it’s time to win! Entry tickets only 100 bob. Reserve here.
iNJEST
Resolutions For Who? | Braeburn Theatre, Gitanga Rd. | Gates 6pm | Show 8pm
Halo Halo nimekuja na tangazo… halooooo🥳 BYSS are officially kicking off 2025 with the first edition of BYSS dubbed Resolutions For Who? Start your year laughing by buying your advance tickets.
Winedown Wednesday | Two Grapes, Kilimani | 7pm
Death, Taxes and Winedown Wednesday standup comedy open mic. Every Wednesday at the spiritual home of standup comedy – @twograpesnairobi . FREE ENTRY, punchy punchlines, great grab and conc cocktails.
THURSDAY 23 January
iNTHEDARK
House Piano X Oontz EDM| SOHO, Adlife Plaza |
New week, new line up! Soho are shaking things up this week. With: @ghedimusic @callmedjiv @afu.ke @mgmkenya @njeri_wa_babaa
Thursday Wind Down ft. DJ Donnaccia | Bamba | 7:30pm
Chill out to DJ Donnaccia’s beats and sip on some of Nairobi’s best cocktails as you ease into the weekend.
Lost in Sound | Alchemist | 7pm til close
Lost in Sound | Alchemist | 7pm til close
The 1st #LostInSound activation before the big #Aduma dance takes place this Thursday at @alchemist254 from 7pm till late. Your oontz masters for the evening are @mistakingsize from the @dawa_movement collective & our head groovist @onedownlive This sets the pace for a big collaboration between the two brands of Dawa Sesh x ADUMA coming soon in Westlands.
MidWeek Crisis Ft. Professor Joosty | The Mist | From 9pm
To set 2025 into the right bassy vibes, December’s MidWeek Crisis residency has been extended into January!
Curated and hosted by #ProfessorJoosty @joostfontein in collaboration with Seleckta Jay @umojahsoundsystem and resident MC Kare @wangari_kare , and featuring a diverse line up of muscians, selectors, MCs and vocalists. Free entry, with requests to support the project.
iNSTAGES
African Twist | Goethe Institut | 6:30pm | Free entry
The dawn of Kenya’s fight for freedom from colonial rule, gave birth to a new genre of music: The African Twist: The Sound of Kenya’s Independence, which resonated with and defined the Swinging 60s, setting the backdrop to a creative society, cut-throat competition, survival tactics, politics and romance. The production takes us on a nostalgic journey to the 60s. Discover this engaging play @ Alliance and take a step back in time!
iNJEST
Sets in the City | 254 Beer District
Standup comedy comes to the @254beerdistrict – Westlands. Free entry. PS. Reserve a table as there are limited spaces available.