Nowadays, Kigali is a city where dancing is part of way of life. And the city’s clubs and bars prove it every day. You can move to the rhythm of Salsa, Jazz, Rumba, Hip-hop, RnB, Reggae, Soul, Rock and Afrobeat.

Chez Robert, situated in the City centre, is among those hangouts which draw locals, visitors and musicians together, mostly on Fridays. It serves as a hub for entertainment and ambience. Chez Robert is divided into a restaurant section and the bar, with a stage where artists perform from.

Kim Thuita, a Rwanda – based Kenyan pianist and Jean Mutsari, a bass and voice maestro, who sings Blues and Soul, perform every Friday at Chez Robert, but they often invite other musicians to entertain guests.

Last Friday, Chez Robert was the place to be, as a Jazz band brought down the roof with great live Jazz and Salsa renditions. The performance was irresistible that at many occasions people abandoned their seats to the dance floor. The performance started from 8 p.m until 4 a.m.

Denis Jannah, an award-winning artist and humanitarian from Netherlands, and François, a Jazz guitarist from Burundi, were among the guest artists who spiced up the night.

"We were also honoured to have Kiri, a famous Rwandan guitarist and George Monte, a renowned Jazz drummer from Kenya,” Thuita told The New Times.
Wanini Gichuki, an Event Organiser, said: "I came to see the Jazz live forum in Kigali, watch artists do their thing and people enjoying the whole Jazz structure and environment.”

She added: "People who think that Kigali is boring only don’t know where to go. Kigali is happening! All you have to do is to go and find out what you’re looking for. Find people who connect with it and something that ties with that, and Chez Robert presents a great forum, with live performance of Jazz, and common minded people enjoying a lovely evening out.”

"I’m visiting Chez Robert for the first time and I’ve liked the place because of its good music and food. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on Friday, but here,” Kariuki said.

She explained that Nairobi has a variety, where you can find something for everybody. However, in Kigali, if there is something like a live performance going on, it brings a difference in Kigali.

Oliver Rwabukera Bangemu, an official from Rwanda Even Management, noted that the Jazz and Salsa Night was initiated in partnership with Chez Robert, to help Jazz lovers and visitors enjoy their stay in the country.

He added that the organisers of the theme are working on another project which will introduce more themes, such as the Ladies’ Night and African Night.

"We plan to start organizing fashion shows at Chez Robert, and we are in talks with Daddy De Maximo Mwicira Mitali, a famous local fashion designer on that,” Bangemu said.

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