Call for registration: Tandawazi festival in Kenya

This year's Nairobi edition of Tandawazi festival ends on 16 April before proceeding to Diani in Mombasa from 18 to 21 April.

The festival, which attracts participants from different countries, offers a distinctive blend of visual, musical and theatre presentations.

The mission of the festival is to provide a platform for artists from less privileged communities across the creative spectrum to come together under one banner of perfecting and preserving their art forms via educational workshops and showcases. 

Apart from Talent Elevation, other highlights at the Nairobi event will include workshops on breakdancing, drumming, capoeira, street dance, and African cultural preservation in dance and guitar.

Tandawazi client service associate Kingsley Ochieng told Music In Africa that the festival was designed to bring artists together to network and collaborate, and to introduce audiences to new art.

“Through the festival, we have seen breakdancers, capoeiristas, drummers and dancers advance to make a living from their trade, or to live with a higher sense of self-esteem because of the inspiration the festival has given them,” he said.

“This platform offers the youth from less privileged communities a space to engage the arts, travel and get international connections – something they would never have been able to do otherwise. The festival also has an international following that gets to experience the beautiful country along with its artistic people and culture.”

Requirements

Registration will take place from 3pm to 4pm and interested individuals should:

• Carry their national ID card.
• Have their backing tracks with them (if any), without lead vocals.
• Pay 500 Kenyan shillings, which will be inclusive of tea, coffee or water.
• Be dressed to represent their stage image and art form.
• Prepare and rehearse a one-minute performance.

For live instrumentation, a keyboard, guitar amp and a DI box will be provided.

For more information, visit the Tandawazi festival official website.