by Akintomiwa Agbaje

With the announcement of the second edition of the Taruwa Festival of Performing Arts in Nigeria came a promise to deliver ‘amazing’ events in Theatre, Music, Fashion, Spoken word, and Dance. That promise was kept as Lagos was treated to a rich collection of events in performing arts from Wednesday, June 4, till Saturday, June 7, 2014.

Taruwa Festival kicked off on June 4, 2014, with ‘The Engagement’, a play written by award-winning Author and playwright, Sefi Atta.

The launch edition of the festival which held last year, received accolades and rave reviews with the successful staging of Bobo Omotayo’s bestseller London Life Lagos Living, and this year the stage was lit even brighter with the ‘The Engagement’, which depicted a family at odds on the day of their daughter’s engagement ceremony, complete with drama you would expect from a dysfunctional African family; Sefi Atta’s gentle, yet bold narrative voice unmistakable.

The play featured a brilliant cast and was directed by the talented Kenneth Uphopho of ‘Harvest of Soyinka’ plays ‘Trials of Brother Jero’ and ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’.

The excitement Continued on Thursday, June 5, with ‘Ijodee International Dance Exchange’, a dance show which featured about seven dance companies including, Ijodee, Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria [SPAN], and Drumsview. The event was curated by popular dance ambassador and enthusiast, Dayo Liadi.

On Day three, there was a Special Festival edition of the famous Taruwa Night, an entertaining evening of Music, Spoken word, monologues and comedy by carefully selected acts including, Modele, Bez, and a surprise appearance by popular 90s musician and ‘Roseanne’ crooner, Blackky, who rocked the stage and got everyone on their feet.

On Saturday, June 7, 2014, after 3 days of  amazing events in Theatre, Dance, Spoken word, comedy and Music, Taruwa Festival came to a grand close with The ANKARA BALL, a glamorous Ankara-themed night of fine dining, wine, exquisite entertainment and beautiful people.

Taruwa Festival of Performing Arts is a carefully planned collection of events, organized by Gbagyichild Entertainment, and attracting a wide range of audiences, from young professionals, to the expatriate community.

Though in its second year, the vision is for the festival to be the largest and most consistent performing arts festival in Nigeria, attracting visitors from all over the world, and making it a festival of National importance, highly valued as a catalyst for cultural and community development.

See photos below:

 

 

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