Exciting day at the Abuja Literary Society's Monthly BookJam

Left to right: Lady InspiroLogos, Ken Ike, and a cross-section of the audience
during the National Poetry Slam held on 6th July 2012 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
Photos by Inside Track. 

Bookjam holds this Good Friday, March 29, at Lifestyle Bookstore, Silverbird Entertainment Centre. Time: 7pm prompt. ALS features: Lady Inspirologos (Yellow Eyes Gone White), a true story of the author's struggle with sickle cell anemia; Sally Williams (Bird Eye), her debut anthology with an elegant twist; and R & B, pop and soft rock singer, Age Beeka.

NB: Book of the Month (April), Death and the King's Horsemen by Wole Soyinka and Book of the Month (May), There Was a Country by the late Chinua Achebe.

ABOUT ALS
ALS meets every, 1st Friday of the month at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, 7p.m; Second Friday @ Silverbird Entertainment Centre Abuja 7pm, Third Fridays @ Salamander Cafe, Abuja; BookJam holds every Last Friday of the month at Silverbird Entertainment Centre Abuja 6pm; Abuja Poetry Slam (performance Poetry competition) holds in March, June, September, and the Grand Slam will be in December. Special Guest writers will normally feature at the First Friday readings @ the Hilton. Special workshops, retreats and exchanges are part of our programmes. ALS can help you with manuscript editing ,organize a book presentation, marketing or special literary nights/events.

FMI, SMS: Chinelo: 08067958680; Ken: 0803-155-2555; or Victor: 0803-311-7246.

100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change -

Come September, 29, 2012, Abuja will join hundreds of towns and cities across the world to mark the second annual 100 Thousand Poets for Change. This year’s edition of the event will as usual provide a platform for renowned and upcoming poets, musicians, artists,painters, exhibitors of arts & literary materials to register their voices on issues dear to their hearts for the betterment of Abuja and the country at large.

Tagged Poets and Musicians for Change, the event is an initiative of Michael Rothenberg, Co-Founder of 100 Thousand Poets for Change, who believes that peace and sustainability “are major concern worldwide, and the guiding principle for this global event.”

The 100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change is a free-ticket event that offers opportunities for all to showcase whatever they have with a bid to promote peace and sustainable development in a carnival-like/trade fair atmosphere.

INVITED SPEAKERS: Mr. Tope Fasua (CEO, Readers Are Leaders Bookshop), Prince Zubairu Jide Atta (Atta Associates) and Max Gbanite (Milliken-Hill Group Ltd.)

DATE: Saturday 29th September 2012

VENUE: Gudu Recreation Park, Gudu District, Abuja, Nigeria

TIME: 10.00am

ARTISTS TO BE FEATURED AT THE EVENT:
Dike Chukwumerije – Performance Poet
Denja Abdullahi (Poet & Dramatist)
VALERINO – Musician
Baba Adugbo - Musician
Rita Oranyelu - Musician
Bai Daddy - Musician
Al-Kasim Abdulkadir – Media/Communications
Monday Osasah - Strategy
Eriata Oribhabor – Organiser, Abuja

Pizza and suya night - an update on Abuja restaurants and fastfood centres

Once in a while, after a hard and not so hard week at the office, I don't mind having a treat for myself. One of the places my colleagues and I go to is the clubhouse of Dantata and Saowe, which serves pizza and suya on Saturday nights. The pizzas are baked in a wood-burning brick oven, making them a bit of a rarity here in Abuja. Unfortunately I cannot recommend the place to everyone because I heard that the Dantata Clubhouse caters only to the staff of Dantata and their guests. Oh and JBN staff are allowed to enter also... 

Fun day for Filipinos in Abuja - at the AHCC

The one and only registered (with the CAC) association of Filipinos in Abuja, popularly known as PUSONG PINOY (Heart of a Filipino), along with members of the diplomatic staff of the EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, held a day of fun and games at the Abuja Horse and Country Club on Sunday, the 25th of March 2012, from 7am to 2pm. 

The event was attended by the Charge d Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, Minister and Consul General Alex Lamadrid.

These photos were taken at the event.

Abuja International Women's Club: Cookie Exchange and Christmas Bazaar 2011

The Abuja International Women’s Club (AIWC) is organizing a COOKIE EXCHANGE AND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR on Thursday, 15th December 2011 at 10am, in Asokoro. For directions on the exact address and if you would like to sell something at the bazaar or know somebody who has nice thing to sell, please contact Petra at petra.leukert@yahoo.de or call 07064324048. 

Abuja International Women’s Club is a non-political, non-religious, non- profit making organisation established for women from the international and local community residing in and around Abuja. The main purpose of the club is to promote friendship and understanding amongst women of diverse nationalities by organising social, recreational and humanitarian activities. For further information email abujaiwc@yahoo.com. 

How to Become a Member 

Ladies from all nations, including Nigeria, who are living in Abuja can be a member of Abuja International Women’s Club. For information, send an e-mail to abujaiwc@yahoo.com. You can become a member by joining one of their social events where you put down your name, address, phone-number and e-mail-address and pay the membership fee which is Naira 5,000 for one year. (When you join from January 1 you pay Naira 3,000 for the rest of the year.)

Members of the Executive Committee, Abuja International Women's Club,
during their monthly lunch on September 27, 2011; at The Clubhouse, Tak Life Camp, Gwarimpa.
Photo by Araceli

Abuja International Women's Club at their monthly lunch, held on September 27, 2011
at The Clubhouse, Tak Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
Photo by Araceli

Nigerwives Celebrate White Cane Day with a Bazaar and Food Fair

The annual WHITE CANE DAY & INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR organised by NIGERWIVES NIGERIA (NW) Abuja Branch,was held on the 15th of October 2011 from 10am to 4pm at the FCT School for the Blind, No. 15 Audu Ogbeh Street, Jabi, Abuja.

Nigerwives Nigeria is a registered association of foreign women married to Nigerian citizens, and it has branches in many parts of the country.

Nigerwives Nigeria Abuja Branch has been involved in various charity activities, adopting the FCT School for the Blind as its pet project when the school was still located at the College of Education in Zuba. Nigerwives organize reading sessions and math lessons, and generally look after the welfare of the children. A milestone in this collaboration was the formal opening of a computer center at the School for the Blind on July 15, 2011. The children can henceforth learn how to use the computer, thanks to a special 'talking' software.

Most of the proceeds from the WHITE CANE DAY BAZAAR & INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR will go a long way in satisfying some of the needs of the students at the School for the Blind in terms of Braille books, basic medical care, basic equipment,

Photos by Araceli Aipoh

The Abuja Horse and Country Club

The Abuja Horse and County Club invited the public to Jabi Lake for a live musical performance by the ABRB last Saturday, March 28, 2009.

Club Night at the AHCC takes place every last Friday of the month and catering is provided by City View Restaurant.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Abuja Art and Culture

Members of the Abuja Play-reading Group meet once a month at the residence of a member (who usually volunteers) to read lines from popular plays. On these nights, participants are given copies of the play that has been previously selected by the organizer (Newman Gonpil). The director (who is also a volunteer) then explains the setting and may say something about the play, after which he or she assigns roles. Those who don't read simply sit back, relax, and listen. There are no lines to learn, no costumes, no special effects or on-stage kissing. Also, no acting experience needed. Admission is free, but participants are requested to bring along some food and drinks to share with everyone. The Abuja Play-reading Group was initiated by Daniel Plas, who has left Abuja.

The March reading (click on photo to enlarge) was hosted and directed by Annie of the US Embassy. Wole Soyinka's JERO'S METAMOPHOSSIS was read, a satire that did not fail to elicit laughter from the participants.

Participating in these sessions is one of the fastest ways of getting acquainted with famous plays and, of course, meeting people who are arts-inclined...
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Networking in Abuja: The clubs and associations

(Click to enlarge)
One of the things newcomers in Abuja would like to find out is how they can meet like-minded people with whom they can spend an hour or two each week or month. Below is a list of some of the notable clubs, associations, or networking groups in Abuja:

Abuja International Women’s Club is a non-political, non-religious, non- profit making organisation established for women from the international and local community residing in and around Abuja. The main purpose of the club is to promote friendship and understanding amongst women of diverse nationalities by organising social, recreational and humanitarian activities. For further information email abujaiwc@yahoo.com. (Photo on the left shows some members of the AIWC.)

Abuja Dashers is an informal group of runners who meet three evenings a week, Tuesday to Thursday 5.30pm to 7pm, to run in and around Abuja. Distances range from 3K to 10K. Various levels of fitness and speed are represented. Contact Jennifer jbrinkerhoff@chemonics.com or 0805 502 2820 or Douglas DouglasGuest@compuserve.com or 0803 291 1221.

Abuja Literary Society (ALS). Readings are held on the first Friday of the month at Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Last Friday of the Month at the British Council, Maitama. Third Saturdays at NuMetro Mediastore, Ceddi Plaza Central Area Abuja. Abuja Poetry Slam (performance poetry competition) is hosted in March, June, September and the Grand Slam is in December. Special guest writers normally feature at the 1st Friday readings at the Hilton. ALS organises special workshops, retreats and exchanges. ALS can help you with manuscript editing; organise book presentations, marketing or special literary nights/events. Time for all programmes is 7pm to 9pm. Call Victor on 0803 311 7246 or Ken on 0802 901 1826.

The Sunday Film Club is held on Sunday evenings at Salamander Cafe. This is a must for anyone interested in Art House cinema from Africa/Europe/Asia/Middle East and is free of charge. Salamander Cafe has generously offered their space for us to meet with large LCD screen TV and surround sound speakers. Screenings are every Sunday, arrive at 5.30pm for a 6pm sharp show time. There will be a chance to discuss and share ideas about the film over a drink after the screening. Address: Salamander Cafe (opposite Union Bank, near Mama Cass), 72 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2. 0702 785 0932.

Abujaclubsalsa. Salsa Dance Classes are back and better every Tuesday and Friday, 7.15 to 8.15pm at the sports hall (behind the lawn tennis court), Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. For beginners, improvers, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Other dances include merengue, cha-cha, bachata. Enquiries. Dare - 0803 576 2379; Mikey - 0802 306 6583 http://www.salsa-abuja.com/

Friends of Yankari – a group of members who want to develop and safeguard the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, through their ideas, skills and enthusiasm. If you are interested in joining please email Nichola Saunders on friendsofyankari@gmail.com. All donations and membership payments go directly to fund Yankari Game Reserve and its game rangers. We are at the moment sourcing GPS equipment for our rangers from our current funds. The annual fee is N5,000 for individual annual membership and N50,000 for corporate annual membership.

The Cricket Club of Abuja. The club meets at 10.45am every Sunday at the CCA ground next to the National Indoor Stadium on the airport road. All players welcome! We have all necessary cricket equipment so you do not need to bring your own. More details can be obtained from Deepak 0805 309 1244, Brai 0803 315 5158 or Ladipo 0805 550 3027.

Hash Meetings. Meet at Hilton at 3.00pm, in the parking lots on the left, just beyond the entrance gate. The Abuja Hash is a family-friendly hash with G-rated songs and you can choose to drink water or soft drinks (or beer, of course!). The cost is N800 for basic hash amenities and another N1,200 for dinner afterwards. Interested people should contact Michael Glees on 0803 408 1039.

Nigerian Field Society Abuja Chapter. Established in 1930, takes trips and has events devoted to the exploration of the Nature and Cultures of Nigeria and West Africa. Click on NFSAbuja.org to see a calendar of upcoming events: http://www.nfsabuja.org/