THE 86-year-old Chris Ajilo, dancer and singer, Latoya Aduke and lawyer-musician, Akin Akinola are among artists on the bill for this year’s EniObanke Music Festival (EMUFEST) happening from November 10 to 17 in Lagos, Ilorin, Abeokuta and Ibadan.
Founded five years ago by Beautiful Nubia (Segun Akinlolu), EMUfest is an annual festival of contemporary folk and roots music that showcases authentic African music from all over the country. It also provides a platform for discovering new talents and celebrating accomplished artists.
Nubia disclosed in a statement that this year’s festival will feature trainings and performances. “The first three days will be devoted to free music workshops, open to the public and all ages, which will be led by experienced music teachers and practicing musicians. The workshops will run in two sessions each day,” he said.
The talent night featuring about 25 new and emerging musicians from across Nigeria will take place on November 13 from 4pm to 10pm.
Nubia and his Roots Renaissance Band will headline the grand concert featuring Ajilo, Egbe Awon Omo Alaketu (a large ensemble of traditional folk singing grandmothers from Yewa) and Latoya Aduke on Sunday, November 16.
Other artists performing on the day are Ibadan-based multi-instrumentalist and singer, Femi Ajayi, soulful songstress Amoke Olarinde and the 18-member Brave Voices Children Choir.
The Ososo Moonlighters from Akoko Edo, Prince Ejiwunmi Ege, Olatunde Obajeun and last year’s EMUfest discovery, Mr. Hat and the Quadlibet Band will also feature at the concert starting by 2pm.
Beautiful Nubia, who called for corporate and private support for the festival mainly funded from inception by his company, said that the training, talent night and grand concert will hold at the EniObanke Arts Centre, 19, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, GRA Ikeja.
The festival will thereafter move to Abeokuta on November 14, Ilorin on November 15 and conclude at the University of Ibadan on November 17.
