WHERE YOU WANT TO BE! - KIKAOO

WEDNESDAY: 5.00 PM. LOCATION: IN YOUR OFFICE, COLLEGE, SCHOOL OR JUST AT HOME

You’ve just finished sorting the pile of papers on your desk. You yawn loudly- it’s been a long day. Its time to get out of the office, but the prospect of fighting old mamas and ambitious uniformed teenagers to get a seat in the bus hold no appeal to you. Plus the fare is at an all time high- it never ceases to amaze you how much the fare hikes at the stroke of 5.00 pm! So you consider the weight of your wallet and realize it’s not heavy enough for you to head to your favorite bar for a drink or two for the road as you pass time. Then you remember a friend once mentioned to you a forum where one can just go relax and vent the week’s frustration out. You head to the Kenya Cultural Center, located opposite the Fair Mont the Norfolk hotel, to check it out.

WEDNESDAY: 6.03 PM. LOCATION: KENYA CULTURAL CENTER CONCERT HALL

KIKAOO Regular

At the Kenya Cultural Center Concert Hall, the first thing you notice when you walk into the auditorium that house KIKAOO is the look of utter relaxation imprinted in everyone’s face as they turn to welcome the new comer. Its just starting and you walked in right on time to hear the beautiful hostess introducing herself, in sweet, sultry voice, as Leez. She gives a brief introduction of KIKAOO because she notices quite a lot of newcomers.

THURSDAY: 6.30 PM. LOCATION: R & J BISTRO RESTAURANT

KIKAOO Special

Since the KIKAOO Special was launched, every Thursday R & J Bistro Restaurant (formerly Romeo) has never been the same; the place has been invaded by the Kenya’s finest, undisputed Artists, Poets, story tellers, and musicians. All this experience can be shared only at the KIKAOO Special at R & J Bistro Restaurant, based at Phoenix House next to Simmers restaurant on Kenyataa Avenue, time: 6.30pm-9.00pm

ORIGIN OF THE WORD KIKAOO

KIKAOO is a Swahili word, literally translated in to English as “forum’ and like the name suggests it’s a home and a melting pot for talents, a lab and space for developing, trying out and merging new, unique and different art forms and techniques. Those who are just starting out have a chance to grow with KIKAOO and those who are old in the art scene are not left out. It brings together both artists and art lovers and creates a relaxing environment for all to be themselves and to discover their innermost thoughts. It can best be described as an evening of poetry, story telling, music and all things art. KIKAOO is organized by Artist Forum International, which is a Community Based Organization based in Nairobi.

At Kikaoo, young artists come together to propagate the message of peace and harmony, in a creative way. Majority of its audience consists of students from the University of Nairobi and other colleges.

The founders of KIKAOO saw it fit to have a session where youth could let go of all the stereotypes plundering our lives and just enjoy ourselves regardless of the age, race, tribe, gender of the person seated next to them.

Also as part of KIKAOO, Artist Forum International conducts peace reading tents and Holiday Artistic Children Programs involving pupils and students of different backgrounds who are brought together for a day of fun, reflection and learning. They are trained on using art as a media for communicating peace messages and thereafter they compete for various prizes in various categories.