The Pizza & Wine Festival – Sharing Moments
The just-concluded weekend was not just your ordinary one, but an exciting weekend with so many phenomenal events lined up to end the October month in style. With October renowned as a month full of fun and entertainment, Halloween being the event ending the month, this time things were different as the Pizza and Wine Festival- Kitenge Edition, took over.
All roads were leading to the leafy suburbs of Royal Gardenia Gardens at Evergreen in Kiambu Road, as party monsters gathered for the performance of various artists including the top Nigerian Afrobeat artist Stanley Omah Didia popularly known as Omah Lay, who stepped on the Kenyan soil for the first time through this highly-hyped event.
Omah Lay, who jetted to the country on Friday 29 in the afternoon, got a warm reception at Emara Olesereni Hotel from his fans and media. Go Places Directors (Nev and Jiwani Mansoor), were amongst the sponsors for the event.
Omah Lay is one of the most influential Nigerian Afro-beat singers renowned for the emotional tone and lyrical creativity he sets into all of his proficiency. He has been into music since his childhood, starting as a rapper, then a producer in Port-Harcourt, the place where he was born and bred. The 24-year-old songbird is currently one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising music artists as he made his debut single in 2019.
With Kenyans curious about his current relationship status, after claims that he broke up with his girlfriend Gloria some months back, Omah Lay answered that he is still not off the market and would love to date a Kenyan lady. The Godly hitmaker also asserted that he would like to collaborate with various artists in Kenya, Sauti Sol being the favourite group he would most likely want to work with.
The press conference ended in style as there was additional time for the members of the fourth estate and the artist’s die-hard fans to interact with him at the meet and greet in the posh balcony of the venue.
The two-day event covered by Go Places Digital Media, occurred from Saturday through Sunday turning into a fashion hub as people came in donned in our very own African-themed outfit as the theme wat the Kitenge Edition. You would for a few minutes think that perhaps you are in a fashion show as the attire remarkably added colour to the glamorous event.
The well-organised security personnel gave the citizens confidence to enjoy without disturbances about their personal property or wrangles that are more common in such events. The ticketing was also top-notch with soft-spoken attendants and a well-queued and gentle audience.
As we are still observing the measures of controlling the spread of COVID-19, the officials ensured that everyone’s temperature was measured and all put on the masks properly and also the seating was arranged in a way to ensure social distance in the place.
As the event name suggests, it was all about the party and dining. Various service providers traded food and drinks to the masses including the Kenyans favourite delicacy Nyama Choma, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and fast foods. There was no reason to leave the event early.
At around 3 pm, Bensoul unlocked the stage with some of his love songs. The hit Lucy brought the audience closer to the stage. The humongous stage was well arranged with gleaming disco lights all over accompanied by a high-quality sound system. Separating the stage and the regular audience was the VIP section that was designed like a lounge with faux leather seats. This ample section had tight security and restaurant servants throughout who served the VIP guests wholeheartedly.
Bensoul’s song dubbed Nairobi stole the show as its lyrics describe the notable habits of the Nairobi ladies. I am a big fan of the live band. For sure, I was impressed by the live performance of this talented fellow. The instrumentalists from the drummer, guitarists, pianists, to the saxophonists did justice to the live stage performances.
On Saturday was more music from the DeeJays with DJ Shishi, DJ Shima, DJ Protege, and CNG the DJ giving to their fans the best they could. Of course, in the current local entertainment scene, South African Amapiano is on top of every turntable expert and these DJs didn’t disappoint on that. With the curfews removed, there were no worries about the time to get home.
On Sunday was the big day where some of the beloved local artists and Omah Lay, the highly anticipated artist on the show, were scheduled to perform. The turnout doubled the previous experience as fans thronged the event. It all started with some DJ mixes and BenVic being the Master of the colourful ceremony. Karun and Nikita Kering brought the show to a standstill with their lovish performance that moved the crowd. Nikita, 19, is now one of the youngest renowned local artists that have already bagged major awards including the AFRIMMA’s Best Female in Eastern Africa and Revelation of the African Continent awards.
Her latest hit song dubbed “Ex” left her fans yelling as the starlet passionately sang her heart out with her smooth voice. She donned a black outfit which left most of her male fans breaking their necks. Nikita’s music career journey is no different to Omah Lays’ as they all began music at a tender age.
To make the ladies more impressed, their gentleman Nviiri The Story Teller jumped up the stage and did what he is known for; killing the show. Nviiri who hails from the Sol Generation has established a mark on the music scene by making lyrics that talks about his love for the opposite gender including Pombe Sigara. He was accompanied by Bien Aime, one of the Sauti Sol members and they could not end their show without giving to their fans their collabo song Niko Sawa.
Finally, to end the show in style, Omah Lay was the last artist to perform. His song titled Understand has hit the airwaves all over the country as it is one of the most viewed on Youtube and amongst the songs with top Video Challenges on TikTok. Enrobed in his white outfit, Omah Lay didn’t disappoint the crowd that chose to stay until midnight to wait to see him performing. It was worth the wait.
As it was expected that the party animals will leave the scene immediately after his performance, things were different. People chose to party till morning as the DJs played them their favourite hits till dawn.
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