UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS 2011
FEBRUARY Lagos International Polo Tournament Polo Road (Off Ribadu Road), Ikoyi (01 261 5173), Lagos The annual Lagos International Polo Tournament attracts polo teams from different clubs across the country. Prizes accompanying the competition range from the Majekodunmi Cup, the Lagos Open Cup, the Lagos Law Cup to the Dansa Cup. The nine-day tournament is an established event on the social scene in Lagos. After every tournament, post-polo parties always follow which include a jazz night, calypso night, and the tournament dinner dance.
Arugungu Fishing Festival Argungu, Kebbi Argungu, in northern Nigeria, hosts an internationally acclaimed fishing festival marking the end of the growing season and the harvest. It involves challenges like barehanded fishing, wild duck hunting, swimming, diving, wrestling, arts and craft exhibition, traditional music and entertainment. Thousands of fishermen come to test their skills at this event, where the barehanded fishing competition is the star of the show. The fishermen are equipped with a hand net and large gourd with which to reap the fruits of the Sokoto River. Prizes are awarded to those with the biggest catches in all disciplines.
The whole affair is taken very seriously; so much so that fishing is banned along a one-mile stretch of the Sokoto throughout the year so that there will be plenty of fish for this annual fishing frenzy.
The festival dates back to 1934 and has traditionally been a great place to meet people from a diverse range of nationalities. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming to all.
Music on the Lagoon Lagos Yacht Club, 1 Magazine Point, Victoria Island (01 791 3570), Lagos This is an annual event aimed at raising funds for local charities and schools. It is organized by the club members and features live music, dancing and food.
Small World British International School, Victoria Island, Lagos International Women’s Club in Lagos organizes this event (Small World) annually. This event is focused on raising funds for charities which the expatriate community takes up fully as a way of giving back into the country where they have been welcomed. The event attracts over 30 countries each year. The evening is divided into two parts; the first part of the event is spent sampling each nation’s ethnic dishes while the second part is a grand production where participants from each country present a dance. The evening ends with a presentation of their nation’s unique art and culture.
MARCH Eebi Epe Festival Epe Town, Lagos The origin of the annual Eebi Epe festival spans from the time of the slave trade and the subsequent victory of the Epe people over the slave traders. The festival, which was first celebrated in the 13th century, acknowledges the blessings the people receive from the gods of the land. The festival has an aquatic theme and always features a boat regatta, fishing competitions and a swimming event which explains the predominant occupation of the Epe people which is fishing.
World Theatre Day NTA Arena, Abuja 27 March March 27 is set aside every year by the United Nations and the International Theatre Day to celebrate the World Theatre Day. The day which is usually celebrated in Abuja with a themed event involving a series of activities which include drama performances, dance, comedy and readings, all aimed at promoting peace through the dramatic arts.
APRIL African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) The African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is the brain child of the African Film Academy, a Nigerian-based film association that focuses on training, research and networking for African filmmakers (living in Africa or the Diaspora). It’s an award night which seeks to honour talented directors, actors, and producers as well as designers and technicians across Africa who gathers to compete in 25 categories.
World Friendship Fair Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos The World Friendship Fair is a welcoming networking event held at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. The fair promotes and nurtures friendly interaction between foreign nationals resident in Nigeria and members of the local communities.
Abuja International Motor Fair Eagles Square, Abuja Visitors to the Abjua International Motor Fair at Eagle Square can view a selection of the newest cars and trucks and keep up to date with the latest technological advances within the industry. Major African and international vehicle manufacturers exhibit.
Lagos Carnival After a successful inaugural event in 2010, the Lagos Carnival returns for Easter weekend. Costumed dancers and decorated floats parade down the main streets on Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Victoria Island, culminating in a grand display at Tafawa Balewa Square.
Oaken Special Events Fair April 7-9, 2011 EKO Hotel The Oaken Special Events Fair is a conglomeration of events suppliers which promises to be the first of its kind here in Nigeria with an estimated attendance of over 4,000 guests and 200 Exhibitors. There will also be a unique seminar by the world renowned Preston Bailey who has earned a reputation as the world’s pre-eminent Event Designer, whose signature style combines elements of architecture and set designs with exuberant and harmonious colour palettes, sensuous textures and modern adaptations of traditional settings to excite the senses in profound ways. His clientele range from Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Donna Karan, Michael Douglas, Uma Thurman, and Joan Rivers etc.
Ikeji Cultural Festival Arondizuogu, Ideato North LGA, Imo State Mid April This festival which is one of the biggest cultural celebrations in Igbo land is popular for bringing the Igbo speaking community around the world together and is held in Imo State every year. The event spreads across three local government areas in Imo State – Ideato North, Okigwe and Onuimo. The festival usually features magical masquerades. This event dates back to the 5th centuries. There are five main types of performers who feature at the event. These include Abuja, who entertains women and children, the whip-wielding Ojionu figure, by a ‘restrainer’, and two ceremonial characters and their group of followers. The event is serves as a unifying factor for the Aro people and fosters ties among them. The people are spread across the entire Igbo speaking states and parts of Cross River State.
St. Saviours School Diamond Jubilee April 23, 2011 Ebutte Metta, Lagos St. Saviour’s School Ebutte-Metta will be 60years on the 23rd of April, 2011. To celebrate the Jubilee, the school is planning a number of events which will culminate in the launching of its alumni Association
JULY THISDAY Music and Fashion Festival Various Venues Lagos/Abuja This is a major international event organized by THISDAY. This event which started four years ago features a procession of A-list music and fashion stars. The festival aims at promoting a positive image of Africa by showcasing the cream of the continent’s music, fashion and arts worlds with a stellar international line up that gets better each year. In the previous years the festival have featured big stars like Lionel Richie, King Sunny Ade, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, P Diddy as well as Shakira. While on the fashion aspect, stars like Naomi Campbell, Liya Kebede, Alek Wek and Ozwald Boateng have been on hand to lend some extra glamour to the event.
The Lagos International Fashion Week Date: 15th-18th July Lagos International Fashion Week produced by Mahogany Productions & Glasgow Fashion Week aims to be the biggest in Africa. It will rival the South African fashion weeks, attracting international buyers and press, top Nigerian and international designers and exhibitors and international models from across the world.
AUGUST Art Expo Nigeria National Museum, Onikan (01 876 4522), Lagos This is a yearly art exhibition event which only started two years ago. It features modern works by African artists who have been selected by private galleries. Over 30 art houses bring together close to 700 creative pieces every year for this week-long show. The exhibition operates similarly to Art Expo events in the US and Europe.
SEPTEMBER Abuja International Film & Video Festival (01-811 0170/www.abujafilmfest.org), Abuja The Abuja International Film and Video Festival is a five-day event founded by Fidelis Duker, a filmmaker. The purpose of the festival is to expose the Nigerian movie industry to the international market; hence an expanded programme of awards, exhibitions and seminars are usually on the line up of the programme for thousands of audience in attendance each year. The event features screenings of new films plus workshops and panel discussions with local and international filmmakers.
Lagos International Jazz Festival Studio 868, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos The Lagos International Jazz Festival was established in 2008 in conformity with similar festivals in Cape Town as well as in London. The event usually features about 20 jazz bands from Nigeria and rest of the world. The week-long include various activities taking place in different venues. These include art and photography exhibitions, contemporary dance and drama presentations, a jazz conference, master classes, art and music business workshops and a variety show.
Nigeria Fashion Week MUSON Centre, 8/9 Marina, Onikan, Lagos (01- 740 1329/01- 897 5488/www.nigeriafashionweek.org), Lagos 15-17 September This is an annual event that features over 70 designers, mainly from Nigeria, who showcase their latest collections. It consists of daily fashion shows, exhibitions, lectures and workshops, with a lot of opportunities for designers and buyers to network and compare creative ideas.
OCTOBER Independence Day Celebration 36 States of the Federation and the FCT 1 October The Independence Day celebration is Nigeria’s biggest annual celebration. The ceremony marks the day Nigeria gained her independence from the British rule. Over the years, the celebration usually starts with an opening address by the President of the country. This speak is usually broadcast live on television and radio stations. A parade by members of the armed forces, students and unions holds simultaneously in all stadiums across the nation or parade grounds in the capital city of each state. It is accompanied by cultural dance groups and singers.
Lagos Motor Fair
The Lagos Motor Fair annually brings together major African and international vehicle manufacturers at Tafawa Balewa Square. Visitors can view a selection of the latest models and check out the industry's most recent technological advances.
Lagos Photo Fair EKO Hotel Lagos Photo at the city's Eko Hotel is the first major annual photography festival in Nigeria. The event is set to display work by Nigeria's leading photographers and international artists, capturing the essence of Lagos state.
Muson Festival MUSON Centre, 8/9 Marina, Onikan, (01 740 1329/01 897 5488), Lagos
The Musical Society of Nigeria which started since 1997 has hosted a festival of classical music, drama, art and dance. The programme features piano recitals, children’s concert, art exhibitions, drama presentations, traditional Nigerian music and dance as well as classical music concerts by MUSON artists. The event also features popular talent contests and jazz nights. In the past, there have been performances by Alwyn Lopez ‘Al’ Jarreau.
TRUFESTA (www.ijodee.net), Lagos TRUFESTA, the acronym for The Truth and Togetherness Festival of Africa, is an annual celebration of African and modern dance. The event is organized by The Ijodee Dance Centre and it features dancers from around the world performing in different venues across Lagos. The event also features energizing dance workshops for women and children.
NOVEMBER Abuja Carnival Eagle Square, Abuja This is a four-day cultural extravaganza is held every year in the FCT, the nation’s capital. It is a carnival that celebrates Nigeria’s diverse and rich culture with music, food, dance, crafts and costumes. The event attracts many visitors who attend each year. The carnival features parades, boating regattas, the Durbar procession of horsemen, circum shows and masquerades as well as traditional music and dance. There are also static sound systems with DJs playing contemporary music from around the world.
Lagos Book & Art Festival (01 665 3587), Lagos 6-8 November The Committee of Relevant Art (CORA) yearly hosts the annual festival of the written word, a typical literary extravaganza. The event features book readings, art exhibitions, seminars and workshops.
Lagos Comics and Cartoons Carnival The National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos This event is a three-day carnival of graphic cartoons. The first two days is focused on training and workshops, while the third is dedicated to a multimedia exhibition.
St. Andrew’s Ball MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos (www.lagoscaledoniansociety.com) 28 November Every year the Lagos Caledonian Society organizes the St. Andrew’s Ball, which is an annual black-tie event. The event aims at promoting the Scottish culture and traditions.
DECEMBER Muson Christmas Concert MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos (01 740 1329/30, 01 470 0287/0589/www.u-u-s-o-n.com) 1st Week in December This is an annual concert hosted by the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON). It features an orchestra and choir.
MTV Africa Music Awards EKO Hotel The MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) is an annual celebration of the most popular music in Africa with awards given in a number of categories.
The Experience Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos 1st week in December This is an annual music explosion organized by House on the Rock Ministries. It showcases a wide array of international and local gospel artiste such as Tye Tribbet, Cece and BeBe Winans, Mike Aremu, Lara George, Donnie McClurkin. With an estimated attendance of 350,000 people, the experience is one concert you do not want to miss.
ION International Film Festival 9-13 December ION International Film Festival is an annual event held in different parts of the world each year. Its aim is to promote global awareness and unity. In 2009, the four-day event of screenings, forums and workshops was held in Port-Harcourt which provided Nigerian and international filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their talents to a wide array of people from across the globe. Nollywood as the third largest film industry in the world was a strong factor in the decision to host the event in Nigeria.
Nwaotam Festival The annual Nwaotam Festival (pronounced Wa-tom) is celebrated mainly in Opobo on the first day of the year, but also in Port Harcourt on 25 December. The celebrations usher in the New Year and ward off the previous year's evils. Different tribal groups spend the night in the sea, warding off evil spirits by performing incantations. They are welcomed back the next day at the seashore by a procession which marks the beginning of the carnival.
The procession dances round the whole town amid great jubilation and as the day comes to a climax the celebrations continue at King Jaja of Opobo's palace.
Oki Festival December 25
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Date Added: Aug 3, 2011;
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