Let's go to the theatre

The Jos Reportory Theatre sent Inside Track a letter outlining their line of activities for the year 2010, which might interest our readers who are into arts and culture.

The first performance for this year, featuring The Political Lunatics, a comedy, takes place at the French Cultural Centre (52 Libreville Street, Off Amino Kano Crescent, Wuse 2) on the 5th and 6th of March at 7:00 pm. Tickets are sold at N2,000 for adults and N500 for children and students. Tickets for groups of 6 is N1,500 each.

The photos below were taken at the Merit House by Inside Track during the group's performance of Wole Soyinka's The Lion and the Jewel. The Jos Repertory Theatre has performed plays by Spanish playwrights in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Abuja.

A scene from The Lion and the Jewel

Theatre audience

The audience

The cast of The Lion and the Jewel

A note from ALS

Great News! The Abuja Literary Society (ALS) has just concluded a collaboration deal with Silverbird Entertainment Centre.

With the deal, ALS will commence weekly or bi-monthly reading sessions, presentations, meet-the-author sessions, Abuja Book Club meetings, etc at Nigeria's finest and world-class mall.

This continues ALS tradition of having world-class venues for the comfort of the literati and the attraction of more people to the sharing of contemporary literary culture and a meeting of people of ideas.

Kudos to Silverbird, the largest and most successful entertainment and lifestyle company in Nigeria!

ALS has largely succeeded in the original mission of generating a literary lifestyle/ culture in Abuja and continues to sustain that culture in collaboration with partners such as Transcorp Hilton, British Council, Signature Gallery, and now, Silverbird.

Watch out for more information and calendar....

- Ken Ike

Abuja

Some like it rough and rocky

The Abuja Hash House Harriers is one of the several fitness/social groups currently existing in Abuja.

"Hash House Harriers," according one of the members, "is a drinking club with a running problem. It is social group that likes to exercise and have a little fun. Hashes are run/walks through interesting terrain, silly traditions, plenty of beer and a place to let your hair down a bit and not take yourself seriously."

Curious about this group, Inside Track joined the members on Saturday, the 6th of February, at the Hilton Hotel parking lot where they usually gather before embarking on a walk/run around a designated place in Abuja...Click on pics to enlarge.

Members of the Abuja Hash House Harriers gather at the Hilton parking lot

Hashers like it rough and rocky...

The art of tie and dye

Inside Track joined members of the expat community (mostly from the Nigerian Field Society) for a visit to the Nike Art Gallery on Airport Road here in Abuja recently for a glimpse of authentic Nigerian art and culture. The whole day affair was a most enjoyable activity where everyone ha the chance to see an actual demonstration on the art of dyeing...plus they had a taste of traditional Nigerian delicacies prepared especially by the centre for the visitors. Photos by Inside Track.

Meeting place: Hilton Hotel Parking lot

Listening to a few words about the gallery

Waiting for a chance to tie and dye

Everybody gets busy

Watching how it's done

Natural dye from the indigo plant

Women at the centre

Taking a look at the products

Nike Art Gallery

Japanese Night

One of the diplomatic receptions to take place just before the year 2009 drew to an end last December was hosted by the Embassy of Japan, held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Here are some photos taken at the reception by the Abuja Inside Track:

A Japanese umbrella on display at the reception

Diplomatic staff of the embassy (1st, 2nd, and 5th) with guests

Japanese art at the reception

Japanese art at the reception

Embassy staff with guest

A staff at the embassy (middle) with guests

Staff of the Embassy of Japan

Dr. Janet de la Cruz (Embassy of France), a guest, and Mrs. Ghesy Samosir (Embassy of Indonesia)

Egyptian night at the Hilton

The Embassy of Egypt in Abuja recently held a cultural show of Egyptian dance and music (followed by a reception at the pool hosted by the Ambassador) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The lively performance was watched by members of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja. Below are photos of the event taken by Inside Track:

Spanish Exhibition

The Embassy of Spain held a Comic and Illustration Exhibition at the Though Pyramid Gallery on Amino Kano Crescent, Wuse, on January 18 to 29, 2010. The Embassy of Spain is one of the most vibrant organizations in Abuja in terms of art and culture activities, having recently held the 4th Edition of the Spanish Cultural Week featuring a variety of activities including a painting exhibition and a flamenco dance show. These photos were taken at the exhibition.

One of the illustrations exhibited

The Ambassador of Spain, H. E. Angel Losada (2nd from left) chatting with a reporter and other guests

Ambassador Losada being interviewed at the opening of the Spanish Comic and Illustration Exhibition held in Abuja on January 18-29, 2010