By Edwin Junior
DOADOA now in its 3rd edition was successfully held in Jinja recently. The event that kicked off with music performances in Kampala on 6th May at the National Theatre, perhaps to set the mood, was carried on to Jinja town where it culminated into an epic festival spanning over four days from 7th to 10th May.
The festival is known to unify different cultures from across the region through music as revelers share and dance the evenings away. The event brings together bands from across the region and this year’s performing bands included; Sarabi (KE), Qwela (UG), Mzungu Kichaa (TZ) among others.
It was 4 days well spent as individuals in attendance reveled in the great tunes produced across the East African region. Even days after the festival, memories are still fresh. One of those who attended the festival, a one Rashida recently revealed she can still hear the music resounding in in her head. She said, “I can’t help but miss the sick mixes from the live recorded traditional instruments and the electronic sounds by the santuri djs Saint-Evo The-Myth Esa, Ivo and the rest; the outcome was mad house, especially when the percussionist joined in with all the crazy drum beats, my body is still moving to the rhythm, I can’t help but miss all the people I met.”
DOADOA is the East African Performing Arts Market – a professional networking platform for both regional and international industry stakeholders in the performing arts business. With the principal support of the British Council Uganda, Mimeta, HIVOS and the Norwegian Embassy, DOADOA is gradually becoming the fastest growing market expo for every regional industry professional.
The growth is largely attributed to the fact that it is a partnership initiative of the major stakeholders in the region including – Bayimba Cultural Foundation (UG), Sauti za Busara Festival (TZ), Sawa Sawa Festival (KE), KigaliUp! Festival (RW), Caravan Records (TZ), Ketebul Music (KE), Kenya Music Week (KE) and Selam Music (ET).