Keiga Dance Company and Sebunjo Bring their Magic to National Theatre

It's "live time" at the National Theatre, on January, Friday 22^nd to Sunday 24^th 2010 in Without Borders, a contemporary dance performance without limitations featuring our own Joel Sebunjo (pictured) with live music.

Organised by  Keiga Dance Company with support from Alliance Française de Kampala Uganda, this is a performance that all dance lovers will gladly relish. As The New Vision reports, the company is "unpredictable in its composition" and you know nothing is as exhilarating as the element of surprise in any artistic creation or performance.

Sebunjo, who's a main feature, is that World Music-ian prodigy you cannot afford to miss! Armed with a musicology degree (he majored in Ethnomusicology –the study of world cultures and their music), a voice to match and dexterous at playing percussion instruments of all modes, Bunjo as he's popularly known among his bulk of fans, is a sensation here and abroad.

Sebunjo and his threesome band (Sundiata) have performed in Finland, Sweden, Kenya, Belgium, Estonia, England, Hong Kong, China, Rwanda, Taiwan and in many West African countries where he has been chanced to share a stage with sensational world musicians like Salif Keita, Etran Finatawa, Yossou N'Dour,Cheb Kaled, Ba Cissoko, Didier Awadi,  Toumani Diabate, Oliver Mtukudzi, Jalibah Kouyateh, not forgetting Swedish star Alle Moller.

He learnt his trade from his grand father, a court musician then, and was later apprenticed to masters of Ganda royal court music like Dr. Albert Ssempele, Busuulwa Katambula, and Ludoviko Serwanga. He went on to draw further inspiration particularly from West Africa's traditional folk music greats. He likes to brag about how in Gambia he met his icon, Alagi Mbye who helped him become a master Kora player.

All this pretty has much to do with the feel of his music which is expressed largely through instruments but is difficult to express with words. The rhythm and style of his music varies; he sings in Luganda and Wolof of Senegal, Mandinka (Gambia/Guinea) which explains the diversity of his repertoire.

And because he plays the Kora, bow lyre, xylophone, 4-hole bamboo flute, conical drums, tube fiddle, thumb piano, drums, and other native instruments from East and West Africa, Sebunjo's acoustic sound –an African touch of folk, jazz and blues –always  enters fresh into the ears of his fans.

Arguably no one has popularized Uganda's folk music like Sebunjo. He has performed with popular afro-jazz groups like Baxmba Waves and is a darling of many at Alliance Française concerts and at Ndere Centre where he performs occasionally. His music illuminates the cross-cultural diversity in Africa and he's arguably Uganda's star of "playing live."

So this weekend (Friday-Sunday) at the National Theatre, 7pm, Main Auditorium, 10.000 shillings, come and watch a performance to remember. Come and see a contemporary dance performance without limitations to dance technique –featuring Joel Sebunjo –fusing the best of live music, instruments and traditions.

Hilarious January at the National Theatre

The Obsessions in a hilarious farce, Tears of my Soul (see one of the scenes in the picture) in the Main Auditorium on the weekend of 8^th -10^th and then on 15^th to 17^th January 2010. Two shows on each occasion; 3pm and 7pm for 10.000 shillings each.

Don't miss the premier of Ekimyanso Mu Mukwano, a film by the Uganda Federation of Movie Industry. It will be in the Main Auditorium, at 7p.m., and its free of charge. Loosely translated as The Blindness the film comes with English subtitles for those who don't comprehend Luganda. It's a powerful movie that revolves around themes of betrayal in relationships and the ramifications that come with revenge.

Monday nights, as usual, is for Jam Session. Fresh packages and a whole remix of spirited performances. Don’t miss! 7pm. Free! Great snacks, great drinks!

Percussion Discussion every Tuesday 8:30 pm. For only 5,000shillings get to enjoy live performances with an authentic African touch!

Meanwhile Comedy Night has been revitalized! Some new faces, great skits, more professionalism, don't miss –every Thursday, 8:30 pm, National Theatre Gardens. It's free as long as you pay 5000 shillings!

On the weekend of 22^nd to 24^th January 2010, the Keiga Dancers are back at the National Theatre Main Auditorium with great body movements and unrivalled choreography. 7pm. Main auditorium. 10.000 shillings only.

And the Latin Flavour will intoxicate you, baby! The rumba, the classic waltz, the foxtrot, mention it! Sensual dancing at its best. If you love the BBC Entertainment's Strictly Come Dancing, you will certainly fall for these great dances to. Come and enjoy a mesmerizing experience at only 5,000 shillings. In the Main Auditorium. 7pm.

The Latin Flavour is followed by the Bonfire. We are talking poetry at its best, gymnastics, story-telling, b-balling, hip-hop, traditional dances, riddles, hilarious drama skits (see picture), and all for free. Every Wednesday 8:30 pm. Don't miss the lyrical Curious and Ugly Emcee and his band of creative spirits

Who said you had no entertainment plot this January!