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Kenyan Musicians Boycott MAJOR festival in US
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dunkang
#1 Posted : Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:19:15 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 6/2/2011
Posts: 4,824
Location: -1.2107, 36.8831
Kenyan musicians on Saturday refused to perform at the ongoing Smithsonian Folklore Festival in Washington DC to protest alleged breach of contract by the ministry of Culture and Arts.

Thousands of American and foreign guests, who spent over seven hours waiting for the artistes and ministry officials to resolve their differences, were left disappointed after the two sides failed to agree.

Being a weekend, the turnout was larger than weekdays — with Kenya attracting more visitors than China at this year’s event at The National Mall

The over 40 artistes refused to belt tunes for seven performances that were scheduled to go down at Ngoma Stage from 11am to 8pm.

Instead, they prepared a joint statement, took to the stage and read it in turns to the chagrin of the ministry officials.

In the statement, the group demanded full payment of their daily allowances and half payment for the 10-day festival, and that Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario commits in writing to the date
he will clear the balance.

They accused the ministry of dishonouring the contract they signed in Nairobi before flying to United States.
Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you.” ― Rashi

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harrydre
#2 Posted : Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:57:23 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 7/10/2008
Posts: 9,131
Location: Kanjo
very embarrassing..wario should go!
i.am.back!!!!
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kysse
#3 Posted : Sunday, June 29, 2014 7:01:10 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 1/17/2013
Posts: 4,693
Location: Earth
dunkang wrote:
Kenyan musicians on Saturday refused to perform at the ongoing Smithsonian Folklore Festival in Washington DC to protest alleged breach of contract by the ministry of Culture and Arts.

Thousands of American and foreign guests, who spent over seven hours waiting for the artistes and ministry officials to resolve their differences, were left disappointed after the two sides failed to agree.

Being a weekend, the turnout was larger than weekdays — with Kenya attracting more visitors than China at this year’s event at The National Mall

The over 40 artistes refused to belt tunes for seven performances that were scheduled to go down at Ngoma Stage from 11am to 8pm.

Instead, they prepared a joint statement, took to the stage and read it in turns to the chagrin of the ministry officials.

In the statement, the group demanded full payment of their daily allowances and half payment for the 10-day festival, and that Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario commits in writing to the date
he will clear the balance.

They accused the ministry of dishonouring the contract they signed in Nairobi before flying to United States.


omg.

do you know anything concerning a giant sculpture that was supposed to be mounted for the festival.It was a masterpiece from kenya.
Haki kenya tuna aibu ndogo ndogo.
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  | | Edit by user: Sunday, June 29, 2014 7:47 PM | Reason: Not specified
Fikira
#4 Posted : Monday, June 30, 2014 9:47:37 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 6/30/2014
Posts: 36
kysse wrote:


omg.

do you know anything concerning a giant sculpture that was supposed to be mounted for the festival.It was a masterpiece from kenya.
Haki kenya tuna aibu ndogo ndogo.


I was there on Sunday but didn't see the sculpture. I suppose the performers had been paid by then since there were performances in several tents. A lot can be said about the quality of those performances , attire and presentation of information though - people seemed poorly prepared and almost disinterested. For an international event showcasing Kenya this is a poor show. The payment issue may have contributed to it but it can't be blamed on things like cobwebs on artifacts and old faded costumes or old unflexible dancers
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kysse
#5 Posted : Monday, June 30, 2014 10:00:00 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 1/17/2013
Posts: 4,693
Location: Earth
Fikira wrote:
kysse wrote:

omg.
do you know anything concerning a giant sculpture that was supposed to be mounted for the festival.It was a masterpiece from kenya.
Haki kenya tuna aibu ndogo ndogo.


I was there on Sunday but didn't see the sculpture. I suppose the performers had been paid by then since there were performances in several tents. A lot can be said about the quality of those performances , attire and presentation of information though - people seemed poorly prepared and almost disinterested. For an international event showcasing Kenya this is a poor show. The payment issue may have contributed to it but it can't be blamed on things like cobwebs on artifacts and old faded costumes or old unflexible dancers



sure you didn't??

Quote:
It was a 12-tonne sculpture dubbed “Hands Off Our Elephants.”
“This initiative was an onerous task as the initial sculpture curved from soapstone broke. We decided to use granite which is heavier but stronger. Initially, the sculpture weighed 22 tonnes and was meant to be shipped to Washington,” said Mr Onge’sa.

The sculpture which was transported by the Postal Corporation of Kenya (Posta) to Washington had to be chiseled at the centre to reduce the weight from 22 tonnes to 12 tonnes in order for the artistic piece to be airlifted to Washington DC in time for the festival. The corporation is transporting thousands of art pieces for the festival.

The initial bidding prize for the sculpture is US$300,000 (Ksh26 million).
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Fikira
#6 Posted : Monday, June 30, 2014 10:49:15 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 6/30/2014
Posts: 36
kysse wrote:


sure you didn't??




I walked up and down and into all the tents. If it was there I must have missed it somehow d'oh!
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muganda
#7 Posted : Tuesday, July 01, 2014 1:29:00 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 9/15/2006
Posts: 3,907


After the statement, the Kenyan artists did break out in song next day...

But alas, the exhibition behind them...
Uhuru really needs to start holding people to account.
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Fikira
#8 Posted : Wednesday, July 02, 2014 4:31:34 PM
Rank: New-farer

Joined: 6/30/2014
Posts: 36
muganda wrote:





This is what most exhibits looked like ... with some of the attendants distracted talking to each other or on their phones.
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simonkabz
#9 Posted : Wednesday, July 02, 2014 5:00:42 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 3/2/2007
Posts: 8,776
Location: Cameroon
Fikira wrote:
muganda wrote:





This is what most exhibits looked like ... with some of the attendants distracted talking to each other or on their phones.


Shiet! That's embarassing.
TULIA.........UFUNZWE!
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muganda
#10 Posted : Thursday, July 03, 2014 12:20:55 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 9/15/2006
Posts: 3,907


Fortunately the artists turned around after receiving payment, gave a heck of a show, and are now scheduled to meet Michelle Obama http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/...to-meet-kenyan-artistes/
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