Seka Rising Stars, a group of budding local comedy talent affiliated to the ‘Seka Live’ comedy series, will hold their first stand-alone comedy gig today.

Dubbed ‘Seka Rising Stars’, the show will take place at the 4G Square on the Ground Floor of the Grand Pension Plaza in Downtown Kigali. Entrance to the show is free of charge.

The show is the brainchild of Arthur Nation, an entertainment and Events company created by famed local comedian, actor and radio personality, Arthur Nkusi. Nkusi is also the founder of ‘Seka Live Comedy’, a comedy forum that happens every three months, and that draws regional and local comedy talent on the same stage.

The first edition of ‘Seka Live’ took place in March last year. The fourth edition took place in June this year. At this edition, organisers introduced a new segment dubbed ‘Seka Rising Stars’, touring select secondary schools around Kigali to identify and nurture budding comedy talent.

After that, there were auditions at the Galaxy Hotel in Kiyovu, from which 17 finalists were picked out of 64 contestants. Of these, eleven were selected to perform as curtain raisers at the 4th edition of ‘Seka Live Comedy’ at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

Out of the eleven, the top six were selected and they will perform at the Seka Rising Stars today.

Organisers plan on making ‘Seka Rising Stars’ a calendar comedy event, should the first edition turn out a success.

"We are looking at a regular event, because eventually, Arthur Nation is targeting four Seka platforms: besides the existing three (‘Seka Live’, ‘Seka Fest’ and ‘Seka Rising Stars’) we also want to introduce ‘Seka Rwanda’, which is being formulated at the moment,” explained Nice Budandi, the operations manager of Arthur Nation.

‘Seka Live’ will be staged in all the provinces outside Kigali, and will feature both rising and established comedians.

While other comedy shows always attract a gate charge, ‘Seka Rising Stars’ will be free admission. According to Budandi, the 4G Square took charge of the show’s expenses, from rehearsals to transport and sound, hence, the decision to offer a free show to comedy lovers.

Although primarily a tech space reputed for its high speed 4Ginternet, the 4G Square has previously hosted a few notable events, including a concert for Charly na Nina, and the gospel band, Beauty for Ashes.

According to Fred Mushabe, a marketing executive at 4GSquare, the ‘Seka Rising Stars’ show will be an opportunity for comedy goers to partake of what the 4G Square has to offer, from fast internet solutions, to discounts on smartphones and other products that are 4G enabled.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw