Ngartia is A Kenyan spoken word artist
The spoken word scene in Kenya seems to have taken a break with fewer and fewer performances taking place. It is therefore always exciting when you hear that a group of poets have come together and organised an actual show that is different from the usual Open mic sessions that Kenyan art lovers are used to.
Losing Grip is a spoken word production that will be staged at the Goethe Institut Nairobi on the 19th of November from 6pm.
Losing Grip is a spoken word story performed by Ngartia, with the support of FlowFlani Wakaba (a human beat-box), Ciano Maimba (vocalist and guitarist), Phy (musician), Achieng Otieno ( vocalist from the band Royalty By Black) and Laura Wanjirũ Ekumbo (writer and actress).
It is a story about the pitfalls of seeking a better life in the city from the perspective of a young man who grew up in the countryside written by Ngartia, who is part of the team that runs www.storyzetu.com.
The narrative will be told in 10 poetry pieces that are in form of letters and diary entries and several musical acts serving as interludes. This is indeed, an experimental path for performance poetry since no one else has created such a concept gig before. It is bound to be exciting and to chart new territory in the spoken word circles. No self respecting performance art enthusiast should miss this.
Ngartia has been a force to reckon with in the Kenyan Spoken Word scene. He has demonstrated diversity by doing collaborative performances with performers such as Sarabi, Yellow Light Machine, Kaesa and has been featured on Slam Africa, Kwani? Open Mic and Words Galore. He has also appeared on other stages such as the StoryMoja Festival, Fatuma’s Voice Wamathai Spoken Word, Kings Of The Arena, Spoken Word Thursdays at Juniper’s, Poetry At The Park many more.
His short stories and poetry has appeared on anthologies such as KUT and The Power of Words and a number of blogs: African Plato.com, Wamathai.com, Manenomatamu.wordpress.com, Bgina.wordpress.com, and wordsrhymesandrhythym.wordpress.com.
Event: LosingGrip by @Ngartia
Venue: Goeth-Instut, Nairobi
Date: Thursday 19th November 2015
Time: 6:00 pm
Tickets: 500 KeS (Advance only – 0715 676 724)