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Nameless: He is so Mannerless

Helen Kinuthia — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:24:00 EST

Minneapolis was definitely the place most East Africans were a weekend ago to watch David Mathenge, famously known as Nameless, in concert. Performing at the Blue Nile restaurant, the artist showed up on stage dressed in shiny black pants, a white shirt and a sport coat.

Artist "Daddy V" Talks Music

Helen Kinuthia — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:51:00 EST

Popular for his hit single 'Nare' (Swahili slang word meaning Fire), Daddy V, a Kenyan artist who lives in Dallas is marking his territory in the music scene. He has kept busy in the past few years working incessantly on his music, which has resulted to his first CD album.

Amani Delivers Immense Excitement to Minneapolis

Helen Kinuthia — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EST

Last Saturday night, the place to have beenwas the Blue Nile Restuarant.

OLM Inaugral Ball

Helen Kinuthia — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:43:00 EST

The organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) held a customary inaugural dinner and ball this past Saturday at Cedar's Hall in Minneapolis. The ball which started with guests arriving at 5:30pm was in honor of now OLM President Kerper A. Dwanyen. Dressed in beautiful gowns, suits and traditional wear, OLM Board members, the Vice President Andrew G. Tehmeh, Tribal Elders and President Kerper Dwanyen walked the red carpet into the hall where those gathered applauded in warm welcome.

I Want Peace in Kenya

Helen Kinuthia — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:04:00 EST

I want peace in Kenya
And as a Kenyan I have every right to ask for that.
And you Mr. President have the given duty
To ensure I get it.

K-CI & JOJO at Trocaderos

Helen Kinuthia — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:02:00 EST

Quiet Friday evening, I'm relaxing in my apartment and thinking of settling down to a movie, then calling it a night. But, just as the thought is formulating, my phone rings and by the end of a conversation filled with a lot of squealing and laughter, my plans have changed to attending a K-CI & JOJO concert. The event is taking place in downtown Minneapolis at Trocaderos Nightclub and restaurant which just recently opened. We get there shortly after nine o'clock and walk into the classy high-end nightclub.

Angelique Kidjo: An Amazing Entertainer

Helen Kinuthia — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:13:00 EST

It's a blistering cold Sunday evening in Minnesota, but within the lobby of the Ordway Centre for performing arts in downtown St. Paul, there is a warmth flowing through the chatter and excitement amongst the hundreds waiting to get tickets to the Angelique Kidjo concert. I have never been to the Ordway Centre before, though countless times I've dreamed of dressing up and joining the many who come for Operas and concerts. Now here I am, standing in this beautiful, red carpeted, high ceiling, brightly lit lobby, tickets in hand.

LUCKY'S CELEBRATION AT THE ZUHRAH SHRINE EVENT CENTER.

Helen Kinuthia — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:42:00 EST

Doors opened at 8:00pm and people started streaming in. I was excited and quite surprised that I was not at all nervous about hosting the tribute concert to Lucky Dube. The auditorium was well lit, decorated to a calm perfection with a spacious dance floor and stage. On one corner was a huge projector with music videos by Lucky Dube as well as short clips of interviews he carried out during the early years of his career.

In Remembrance of Lucky Dube

Helen Kinuthia — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:16:00 EST

A lot has been said and written of Lucky Dube over the past twenty five years of his musical life and career. The last couple of months however, have been filled with shock, pain and immense sadness at the sudden death of the reggae legend.

Bebe Cools' Concert in Minnesota

Helen Kinuthia — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:30:00 EST

It's Saturday night and I've just walked into Blue Nile Restaurant. Bebe Cool, Uganda's talented Ragga artist will be performing later tonight, and I have no notion of what to expect. At the moment, DJ Kevo from Kenya is at the turntables enticing the crowd to the dance floor.

Milele: Musicians with a Cause

Helen Kinuthia — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:33:00 EST

While at a Christian retreat, in Kenya in 1988, Christian Mungai, Harry Mwaura Kiiru, Kanjii Mbugua and Kaima Mwiti met and struck a friendship. Unbeknownst to them, ten years later in California, this friendship would lead to the birth of "Milele" (Swahili for Forever), a gospel singing group and set them on a journey of performing and ministering around the world.

African Day at the Mall of America

Helen Kinuthia — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:42:00 EST

Saturday October 6th was the close out day for the Pan African Trade and Investment Summit, fittingly titled African Day. A few friends and I rode on the light rail to the Mall of America where the celebration was taking place. On any given day, the Mall of America - the nations largest retail and entertainment complex - is a buzz with hundreds of people. It is the kind of place that magnifies the life and culture of America, and to integrate that with African culture and style was significantly monumental.

My Country Kenya

Helen Kinuthia — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:56:00 EST

Sometimes I'm so blinded,
By pain, poverty, hunger.
I fail to appreciate the blessings
Of family, friends, my land.
To see the beauty that surrounds me
In my country Kenya.

Lucky Dube's Concert in Minnesota

Helen Kinuthia — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:59:00 EST

The originality of Lucky Dube's shows and his energetic performance have earned him a lot of praise. Lucky Dube, well known around the world for his music and lyrics in the reggae genre', hails from South Africa. A week ago, I finally got the opportunity to attend one of his concerts at First Avenue, in downtown Minneapolis. The show, which was an extension of the Afrifest Celebrations, started early Monday night with doors opening at 7pm.

Redykyulass Tour - 2007

Helen Kinuthia — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:44:00 EST

There is always a stir of excitement where Redykyulass is concerned. Ever since the trio entertainers came together in 1998, they have managed to amuse audiences from East Africa, as well as overseas.

Innocent Galinoma: A Journey in Reggae

Helen Kinuthia — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:26:00 EST

I'm sitting at Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue and Victoria Street sipping a hot cup of coffee. I know it's summer, it's really humid, but my nerves are on a roll and need calming. I'm early for an interview with Innocent Galinoma, a reggae artist based in Minnesota, but originally from Tanzania. The coffee helps me relax as the minutes tick away. I go through my questions for the tenth time and revisit in my mind, the songs I know by Innocent. Before long, I'm sitting face to face with the artist himself. Two things immediately stand out: one, I gave him the wrong directions, however, he still made it, and the second, his long dreadlocks are no more. He's cool about it all and seems very comfortable with the new look. We chat for a few minutes before getting into the interview.

The Pattern of Life

Helen Kinuthia — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:38:00 EST

I think there is a reason for every moment in ones’ life

Even when that reason cannot be explained or understood.

There is a purpose to the happenings, the occurrences in life.

And though things may not always go as one believes,

Or desires them to,

Every minute lived is important and it matters.

Afro-Caribbean Boat Cruise

Helen Kinuthia — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:36:00 EST

There is something about a cruise that is exhilarating. It might be the open air and freedom of being on the water, the breeze that so easily carries on and on, or the music and chit-chat that drifts among people. This years' summersplash was compounded with a boat cruise on Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul.

Independence Day Party

Helen Kinuthia — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:51:00 EST

July 4th, the Independence Day in America, fell smack in the middle of the week. There had to be a party somewhere on Tuesday July 3rd. I learnt of a few parties and planned on attending one of them. A party hosted by Mezesha Entertainment was happening in downtown Minneapolis at the Lounge Night Club, where Dj Xpect from Kenya was celebrating his birthday.10:00 o'clock and the party was well underway. Three different rooms catering to three different sounds were alive with people moving and grooving.

Food, Friends and Motorcycles

Helen Kinuthia — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:02:00 EST

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I'm hungry and in need of a good meal. A bunch of us decide to drive to Blondies Sports Bar and Grill located in Brooklyn Park. I realize at this point my weekend has been spent in Brooklyn Park and though I live in St. Paul, I don't mind the half hour or so journey. The past couple of days have been fun and entertaining. I'm hoping Blondies affirms that Brooklyn Park is a place of many interests.