Nairobi Lowdown

It's time for another 6AM!

It's a rather pain that the dress code is white, but I understand you have to try and control the ambiance.

The Hustle: Revisited

This was already covered by a comment to my original Hustle posting.  But,  I thought that the review by Campus Vybe warranted it's own posting.  Great review and photos.  I wish I could have been there.

Upcoming: Karen Hospital Open House

The new Karen Hospital (website currently down) will be holding a Open House this coming Saturday June 24, from 9AM to 4PM.  Tours of the entire facility will be available. It is located along Langata Road before Karen. Dentists and doctors will be on hand to give free consultations.  Rick Sincere's blog has a nice review of the grand opening and plenty of photos in case you can't make it to the Open House.

Shopping: Kenya Clay Products

Kenya Clay Products is located north of Nairobi along the Thika Road on the left side just before Ruiru.  With traffic flowing well, it will take you about 30 minutes to reach there from downtown.

They manufacture many different roofing and floor tile options.  The product is made from the big piles of murram that you will see outside the factory.  If you would like to see some floor tiles already in use, make reservations to the Mediterraneo Restaurant at The Junction. (020-3878608 or 0734-845077)

Prices are inexpensive. Example:  their biggest floor tile cost about KS 28 plus VAT.  Service is quick, upon payment they load you quickly.

Contact details: Telephone - (067) 54586/54587/2505225055 Fax - (067) 54279/54456 Email - kcp at iconnect.co.ke

Upcoming Art: Art Camp for Kids

Looking for something to keep the kids busy during the summer break and expand their mind at the same time?  Check out the art camp run by the Nairobi Art Centre in Lavington.  Not sure of the exact dates other than it will be held in July.  Call 0727-415678 and ask for Alex

Upcoming Art: The Hustle at the British Council

"The Hustle" is to be held at the British Council on Upper Hill Road this Sat. June 17 from  9AM to 3PM.  What is it?  WaPI (Words and Pictures) a platform for visual and verbal artists from the underground.  Do we have budding graffiti artists in NBO?  You'll have to go and find out!  Looks good.  Entry is free.

6AM Kenya - Parties

Don't have a clue how these parties are, but their website is jazzing, makes me want to go.  The "fruity" part makes me wonder tho.....

Ecofest '06

Ecofest '06 was proof postive that Nairobi/Kenya is a unique place.  There is some sort of synergy of people here that produces the products shown along with the event held.  I was astounded at the number of organic producers in Kenya!  I mean, this is Africa, we're more concerned with just getting some food, not really what type it is?  Nonetheless, organic anywhere is a good thing.

This event was sponsered by the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network who are the National Coordinating Body for organic activities.  Many vendors were in attendence - farmers, solar equipment providers, enviromental organizations, art groups.  One company, Natures Organics, will provide weekly home delivery Organic product such as vegatables, Fruits, Herbs, Probiotic Yogurts, cream cheese, eggs, cream, sour cream, free-range rabbit, and chicken. If interested, contact them on 0722-874172 or 0721-100001

Music was obviously the big draw for most people. Samba Mapangala, Cheche Group, Nyota Ndogo, Princess Jully, REDSAN, Suzanna  Owiyo were in attendance.  I think Redsan is really good, he was backed up by local rockers, The Calabash.  Samba Mapangala was also good and the main event.  For me, the Lingala music get's a bit repetitious after awhile, though.  It's probably my problem as a whitey - I'm sure that it's a lot more enjoyable when one can understand the words.

Organic food supplied by the various vendors and prepared by several restaurant was promised.  However, the ubiqutious Carnivore was the one and only vendor and I'm not sure they were doing the organic thing.  Sure, the local thing, lots of irio, casava, sweet potato, which was cool.  Also, they ran out of beer about an hour before the end.  Maybe they didn't think it would be that successful.

The only other place I can think of in Africa that would hold an event like this would be South Africa.  Rock on Kenya!

Art: The Bush out of Glass Box

I'm a bit late on this one, but it is running through the 10th.  So, if you haven't seen it and have the time tomorrow, by all means go.  It's great, man the colors alone will make you happy.  It is located at the Sikiliza nightclub, Village Market, Gigiri.  The show features the glass blowing artistry of Peterson Kamwathi, Anselm Croze, Varol OzkoCak, Simon Munyua, Sony Smith, Arnout Visser, Nani Croze, Mary Collis, and Benny Casagrande. 

Upcoming Art: Amy Sandys-Lumsdaine

Talisman Restaurant (320 Ngong Road, Karen) will be hosting an art exhibition by Amy Sandys-Lumsdaine from the 15th to the 30th of June.  Opening night festivities start at 6PM. From the ad it seems to be more of a wildlife oriented exhibition. We'll see....