Hey music junkie,

The pressure is increasing. Kilele Summit is only 14 days away and here at Santuri, we're busy piecing all the parts together. You're coming, right?

Anyway, last week was mostly a calm one event-wise. On Wednesday, I attended Pass Pass’s second networking event called Mpaka Vuka Ghana Night. Even though zero Ghanaians showed up at Unseen Nairobi (I wonder why), we got to make new friends and learn about PRJCT Kumasi, an artist collective in Ghana, through Dopo who joined us online.

Thursday was Hadithi Hangout time! Even though the rain made me late to the party, we still had a fantastic time reading Shades of Benga, discussing Kenyan music history and listening to Kenyan Twist. Oh, and my dance partner and I did a little twist demo for fun.

On Friday, Coco Em and Badman Bantou then threw the biggest bash yet! Ny4sh attracted over 200 people to the Mist to shake their you know what to bubbly African beats. The only thing that made me attend and not go home as planned was jaba juice #truestory.

On Saturday, I was more intentional. I helped host my friend’s book club (hi Mooray) at Nairobi Street Kitchen. Then caught Kaa Riitho photo exhibition at Creatives Garage before it ended. And at night, my friends and I danced to gengetone thanks to [MONRHEA], reggae music by the sensual Nilotic Bliss, and sweet dub by Professor Joosty. We were Grown & Glowing!

But the highlight of the weekend was on Sunday. I was chipod (aka chips fungwad) to a serene hotel in CBD with the most charming architecture. I'm talking about Chester House on Koinange Street. Yup, that tall building with baby blue hues.

In one day, we watched dancing birds from the balcony, enjoyed a queen's breakfast, swam in the cool pool, caught the golden sunset, watched a hilarious kung fu movie, and slept in the warmest and comfiest bed. Talk about the perfect staycation!

If you're ever looking for a unique place to stay while in Nairobi, I highly recommend Chester Hotel. Or if you want to admire architecture from the 1980s, visit it one day. I cannot WAIT to be back myself!.

Now that we're rejuvenated and back to work, let's explore some opportunities to earn more money. And have a little fun.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MONTH

Iko Kazi KE

• Apply to a Lead Graphic Designer or Content Manager for a 3 month full time project - ASAP

• Get a job at British Council as their arts project manager - 9th February

• Get paid to produce mood music for an international company - 16th February

For more job opportunities, check these out

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Lost in A Day Dream art exhibition at Alliance

Do you remember the last time you attended an art exhibition. I feel they're the perfect excuse to look at colourful paintings, create your own interpretations, and then ask the person next to you - what do you see?

This Wednesday, Kenyan visual artist Gavin Kendo is launching his first solo exhibition called Lost in A Day Dream. As the name suggests, it's based on poetry, reality and escapism. Come look at expensive art for free this week until the end of February.

Odd Okoddo + Ogoya Nengo at The Mist

This one is for the music lovers who love to experience something new, something unique, something cultural. Odd Okoddo is the magical music duo of Kenyan singer Olith Ratego and German multi-instrumentalist Sven Kacirek. While Ogoya Nengo is a legendary queen who performs a Luo style called dodo.

Together, they will take us on a world music journey which starts in Nyanza and ends in Nairobi. Unless you've been invited to the Kilele exclusive opening ceremony, this is your chance to catch these two incredible acts LIVE in one night.

In case I haven't said it, thank you for being part of my 200 member-strong community. If you enjoy this newsletter as much as I do, please forward it to a friend so that they can also become a proud music junkie. It would absolutely mean the world to me ✨ 

Until next time
Stay high on music
Furaha