Tina Ford performing at a previous edition of Evoke Night

By Our Reporter

After five episodes of artful expression, Season 2 of Evoke Night comes to an enthralling end this September in a sixth and final episode which the organisers have promised will be riveting. The finale which is set to happen on September 27, 2018 at Acchi Restaurant and Bar in Bugolobi follows five episodes held from March 2018.

The event which made its debut on the Ugandan social calendar in September 2017 is a show that celebrates raw, untapped talent by providing a platform for young and gifted performers to showcase, communicate and express themselves through art.

“Evoke Nights has built a reputation for delivering outstanding, breathtaking and original performances over the past five episodes of this season, and we will be pulling out all the stops at the finale, with the most riveting performers to have graced the Evoke stage in a masterful two and a half hour explosion of entertainment,” said Timothy Bukenya, Creator of Evoke.

Revelers dance the evening away at a previous edition of Evoke Night

The closing episode of the Tusker Lite-sponsored event will showcase acts from all the previous Evoke acts this season and will feature art in its entirety through performances of poetry, music, dance, spoken word and vocal play, acapella among others.

The lineup will include names like Evon, Izaya the Composer, J-Watts the composer, Lus the poet, Heights the Preacher, the Evoke dancers, Nobel the Beat Boxer which will be complemented by DJ mashups in a fast paced high tempo production that is expected to literally blow revelers minds.

“For Tusker Lite, Evoke Nights is an opportunity to play a part in developing and encouraging talent especially among the youth. We are proud to have been a part of this journey, providing a platform where young people can express themselves in a fun environment,” said Grace Namutebi, Brand Manager, Premium Beers at Uganda Breweries Limited.

The main objective of the monthly Evoke Nights is to depict current life situations for Ugandan youth, through entertainment ventures that will translate into inspiration moments for these youth to activate their passions and dreams that can make their country better in the long run. Tickets to the event go for UGX. 20,000 and can be accessed at the gate.

By Ian Ortega

I have fully recovered from the Nyege Nyege explosion. It also marked my third time of making an appearance at Nyege Nyege. So then, I am in a better position to review last weekend’s fourth edition.

I must confess, this year marked an all-time FOMO for Nyege Nyege. For many, it was a do or die. Many planned for Nyege Nyege months in advance, yours truly as usual has always left things to randomness. Heaven is hidden in those things you don’t plan for, taking routes you didn’t intend to take. In there, you find the joys of serendipity.

This year, Nyege Nyege went truly extreme. If last year was Nyege Nyege’s mark of maturity, this year, it cemented itself as the festival that will always dot your annual calender.

Bell Lager and Uganda Waragi left no stone unturned when it came to executions. The world of Waragi had nothing close to it, the UG pineapple garden, the coconut beach and the silent disco, it was a new step in the party world.

Then came Bell Jamz with that music studio. All you had to do was get in, and rock out your music hit. Imagine having the Swangz team mastering your song on spot. Talent for many was discovered on that day. For many, it was living every moment, for those 4 days do rush by so fast.

We then moved to wild bae; MTN decided to transform its space into your normal night club, only that their club now played 24-7.

As usual the mainstage continued to bring some of the usual main acts such as Beenie Gunter yet did not fall shot of unveiling some authentic sounds from South Africa.

I found my heart at the Tropical Stage, it was an actual boiler room. The energy over here had no lid to it. It was a furnace of all characters. But I also fell in love with it because it presents this classic view of the Nile.

Did I say the cheapest rolex was UGX 5000? But give it to Busoga, after tasting a Jinja chapatti, you never want to taste these fake Kampala chapattis. The Food Court was expanded, well organized, it offered too many options that you could almost fail for choice.

One thing that Nyege Nyege has kept true is the ability to give people the chance to express themselves in the most authentic of ways. It is the one time of the year where people are truly themselves. If you desire to be shirtless, this is the time. If you want to show up as a Caesar, you are sorted. If you hate shoes, this is the time.

Nyege Nyege also has the unbeatable location. Greatness is about location, location, location. Nile Discovery beach is that perfect location. The trees, the landscaping, the waters. Or yes.

Speaking of the waters, I missed the rain. Nyege Nyege missed the rain. When it finally rained, it was a little too late, on Sunday morning and then disappeared so quick. Many last year argued that rain messed Nyege Nyege. I told them they were wrong, rain is a key ingredient in Nyege Nyege. It makes a big difference. For when it rained last year, you just stopped caring completely and just decided to dance, people would fall in the mud, hold each other up, the soggy conditions more than ever, brought them closer.

I also felt like this year Nyege Nyege was in a battle between mainstream and the arts. To be or not to be. For the arts and culture loyalists, Nyege Nyege kinda did dim on this front a bit. Nonetheless, this did not kill that irrestible urge to dance, shake, move and just go craaazzzzy.

As usual, Nyege Nyege wins on security. Yet as the audience grows even bigger, the fight will be on how to never kill the culture that makes Nyege, Nyege. Could there be a day in future where Nyege Nyege becomes another prolonged blankets of sorts? Or will Nyege remain true to its cores of the afropolitan vibes? For that afrocentric culture should never die. Those are the strings that hold this guitar.

Yet one thing remains clear, Nyege Nyege remains Uganda’s top event, East Africa’s top festival. That is not about to change. Whatever meaning one derives out of Nyege Nyege, it will always be personal. Whether one sees it as the afro burning man or coachella, it is still unbeatable. Ekinyegenyege for the Baganda, Nyege Nyege for Basoga, Swahili, and other languages. All those means come alive in those four days.

If one thing ought to happen at the next edition, it ought to rain, it ought to get muddy….

Rapper Young Zee is back.

The 19-year-old rapper who has been M.I.A on the music scene for sometime now has bounced back with a new single titled “Give Dem”. He collaborated with fellow rapper Ill Gee on the song.

According to our reliable sources, Zee had taken a break from music to concentrate on his studies. We have learnt that he has completed his studies and is back to doing music. To mark his return, he has rebranded to Zagazillions (Zaga Zee).

Signed to Swangz Avenue, he is known for songs like “Criminal Swag”, “I had a dream”, and “Ayayai” among others.

Watch “Give Dem” video below.

Staff Writer