Ten times coronavirus stopped ‘reggae’
By Faith Kyoumukama, March 18, 2020
The deadly Covid-19 pandemic has literally brought the world to a screeching halt. All sectors of the economy are feeling the domino effect, with the entertainment and lifestyle industry having to grapple with cancelled or postponed programming. FAITH KYOUMUKAMA looks at the major events that have had to be relooked
1. Mombasa nightclubs closure
In a press conference on Saturday, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho ordered all nightclubs in the Coastal city closed with immediate effect as a measure to fight the spread of coronavirus.
Joho announced that bars and restaurants in the city would operate until 11pm for the next 30 days to help in the fight against the spread of the deadly virus. Joho said: “But minimise music and dancing.
The committee has resolved that agencies put in place necessary measures at all points of entry and mobilise the human resource.”
2. Kalasha International Film Market
Last week, film lovers and investors were dealt a blow when the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) announced the postponement of this year’s edition of the Kalasha International TV and Film Market.
The event is billed as the region’s biggest film trade fair, and the 2020 edition had been scheduled for April 1-3 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The three-day fair usually involves showcasing of film activities through conferences, business-to-business opportunities and pitching sessions.
The KFC said the event would be held at a later date upon the expiry of the government’s 30-day embargo on events.
3. Trace in the Streets
The second edition of Trace Live dubbed Trace In the Streets that was set for last Friday at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi was cancelled at the 11th hour following the government’s directive to suspend all public gatherings for 30 days.
The event was to feature a live audience and performance recordings by King Kaka, H_art the Band and Naiboi.
“Our aim has been to always ensure the health and safety of all participants is never comprised.
As a result, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the event,” read a statement from the organisers.
4 .Mawimbi Fashion Wave
The fashion industry in Kenya is usually vibrant at this specific time of the year.
Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic seems to have switched the clock unceremoniously forcing fashion experts to halt on their fashion parties.
One of such events that have been hit hard by the events embargo is the Mawimbi Fashion Wave that was scheduled for March 28 at the newly-opened Mawimbi Café and Seafood Restaurant along Kijabe Street.
The event by Moches Models has since been postponed to a date yet to be announced, spelling doom to similar events that would have invigorated the country’s fashion industry.
5. Francophonie Month
The Alliance Francaise hosts cultural, music, drama, film and art festivals. Its calendar of events seems to be busy, but unfortunately, its implementation has been halted.
In a press statement, all cultural activities that had been scheduled to take place in Nairobi have been postponed until March 30.
Among them was the month-long Francophonie Month, an initiative created by the International Organisation of the Francophonie to promote the French language in a context of cultural diversity. This year, the Francophonie is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
6. Churchill Show live recording
It’s not a laughing matter for TV comedy gig Churchill Show. The popular show, curated by legendary comedian Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill through his entity Laugh Festival, postponed its live recording show dubbed ‘South C Edition’ that was to be held last Saturday at the Ministry Of Works Sports Club in South C, Nairobi.
Laugh Festival said the show would happen at a later date and that ticketholders needed not to worry as the tickets would remain valid for the rescheduled gig. The show live recordings usually take place twice a week.
7. Baileys Delight launch party
The East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) was to officially unveil its new Irish cream liqour brand Baileys Delight in a grand launch that was set to take place at the Junction Mall in Nairobi, on March 14.
Unfortunately, the event —expected to be star-studded— had to be pushed to a later date as EABL moved to comply with the government’s embargo on events as a way to tame the spread of the deadly infection.
8. Johnnie Walker afterparties
The Kenya Breweries Ltd, through its Scotch whiskey brand Johnnie Walker, called off a series of afterparties that were to be held in different venues across the country after the Magical Kenya Open golf tournament.
The biggest golf tourney in the region was scheduled for March 12-15 at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi. Entertainers such as Sauti Sol, Fena Gitu and Nyashinski had been lined up to perform.
9. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
The annual music and arts fest due in April 9-19 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, has also been postponed to October.
The festival, touted as one of the biggest art events in the world, has now been pushed to kick off on October 9 and end on October 16.
The event’s organiser Goldenvoice said the postponement was at the request of local health authorities.
This year, hundreds of acts were set to perform including Travis Scott, Calvin Harris and Lana Del Rey.
10. South by Southwest
Also known as SXSW, it is an annual tech, music and film meetup in downtown Austin in Texas, USA.
It is yet another international concert that has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is the first time in the event’s 34-year history that it’s been cancelled. This year’s event was slated for March 13-22.
The organisers announced that amid an increasing number of high-profile speaker and company withdrawals and growing public health concerns, this year’s festival would not take place.
Kenyan artistes Nyashinski, Karun, Wyre, Atemi Oyungu and Wambura Mitaru were billed to perform.