[PHOTOS]: Car-Free Zone show showcases artistic talents

A February 6 event that took place at the Car-Free Zone (DownTown), was a display of artistic local talent. Dubbed ‘Hobe Africa Festival’, the show was organised by Hobe Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and Rwanda Development Board in order to give revelers more activities to enjoy alongside the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament that concluded in Rwanda yesterday.

Monday, February 08, 2016
Kesho band perform a long with King James. (Julius Bizimungu)

A February 6 event that took place at the Car-Free Zone (DownTown), was a display of artistic local talent.

Dubbed ‘Hobe Africa Festival’, the show was organised by Hobe Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and Rwanda Development Board in order to give revelers more activities to enjoy alongside the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament that concluded in Rwanda yesterday. 

L-R: Chanel doing a live act with Mani Martin in Miliam Makeba's Nakupenda Malaika.

The event started at 8pm, almost an hour late to the scheduled time. Hosted by radio personality and emcee Kate Gustave, the show kicked off with rap music performance from Spoken word artist and poet Eric Ngangare, commonly known as Eric One Key.

Kesho band played some cool music as all revelers waited for King James, who stepped on the stage at 9pm.

Revelers enjoy the show.

The RnB crooner thrilled the crowd with some of his hit music like Mbabarira, Yantumye, Niko Nabaye, Kanyobwe, Ulala, and closed his performance with his afro-zouk song, Ndagukunda and Naragukundaga, which got all girl fans scream and cheer him.

The show was, however, attended by a moderate number of revelers.

Mani Martin did a great performance with his awesome vocals.

France based singer Ruth Nirere, commonly known as Chanel, also delivered an electic performance with nice vocals. She sang songs like Ndarota, Inkera y’amahoro, and other Songs by African legends.

Singer and songwriter Man Martin got to the stage around 10pm after being welcomed by Chanel on the stage; the two did a dual performance singing Miriam Makeba’s song dubbed Nakupenda Malaika.

Spoken word artiste and poet, Eric One Key was also part of the show.

Mani did his first ever live performance for over 40 minutes, performing his popular songs, including Rwanda rw’Abanyarwanda, which he dedicated to all the friends of Rwanda who turned up for the show, and all the Rwandans who are proud of being Rwandans.

Fans were treated to the night of great music.

Mani performed other songs like Same Room, Akagezi ka Mushoroza, one of his songs which gained a lot of airplay across Africa.

Miss Chanel performs at the show. (All photos by Julius Bizimungu)

The show was attended by a number of celebrities. Some of them include Amavubi coach Johnny McKinstry, Burundi’s artiste Big Fizzo, comedian Arthur Nkusi, Jules Sentore, and Diana Teta, Alex Muyoboke, Judo Kanobana, and Mike Karangwa, among others.

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