The sun dipped below the horizon just beyond Canal Olympia, Rebero at around 5:27pm. Simultaneously, the temperature in the courtyard began to drop noticeably. People didn’t reach for jackets. They, however, reached for glasses filled with wine, beer, and cocktails. I watched wooden pallets elegantly arranged, adorned with charming tablecloths and delightful table settings. People sat around them, nodding to the music and clinking their glasses, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of an electrifying concert than a small patch of grass outside a movie theater. It was an interesting scene. There to host them was Blankets and Wine — an open-air music and arts festival that blends together live music acts, art displays, culinary delights, and a laid-back picnic ambiance. To participate, guests are required to bring their personal comfort items such as blankets, camp chairs, beanbags, pillows, and undergo entrance scanning while receiving a ticket wristband. The idea behind Blankets and Wine was born in Nairobi, Kenya, back in 2008, thanks to the creative vision of Muthoni Ndonga, a renowned Kenyan singer-songwriter and producer. The aim was to create an extraordinary and pleasurable experience for attendees, allowing them to relax, savor live music, engage with local artists, and relish a day outdoors in the company of friends and family. This year’s theme was Discover, Love, Share and guests put in just as much effort and excitement as they would for a glamorous Barbie movie premiere, though without the omnipresent bright pink. The organisers discourage guests from bringing their own food. Instead, they encourage attendees to patronize a thoughtfully curated array of local entrepreneurs offering various goods such as fast food, jewelry, books, clothing, and more. This allows visitors to complement their experience with a diverse range of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, with wine being a predominant choice. A good starting point was Wineyard, an East African wine distribution company. From Wineyard, numerous pathways and routes led to Imanzi Mixology, a local business specializing in cocktails. There were abundant options here. For those whose endurance waned as they indulged in more alcohol, an alternative was to retreat to the rear and gradually make their way toward the periphery. In that area, some people were engaging in sip and paint activities. If you were inclined to incorporate a bit of physical activity, you could ascend the stairs leading to the Kigali Golf Club stand, where a miniature golf course awaited, allowing you to practice your aim at getting balls into a hole. Concerning access to this area, don't fret about trekking up there if you lack a VIP ticket, as exclusive access was reserved for VIP ticket holders only. When it comes to dining choices, Ballistic Burgers and Caribbean Spice can be located right at the front's pinnacle. Both restaurants offered top-notch burgers and a variety of dishes featuring quality meats and cheeses. In addition to this, other food vendors also provided hot dishes such as roast pork and beef. Typically, a meal along with several glasses of wine would set you back approximately RWF 20,000 to 30,000 per person. The most convenient and, if you were by yourself, the most budget-friendly way to enjoy the event was buying a drink and watching the artistes perform on stage. Before the sun set, the singers had already begun to sing and invited the audience to join the party. The female musicians included Angell Mutoni, Alyn Sano and Sea Stars. Kivumbi and Mike Kayihura were the male artistes present. Their songs rang throughout the arena. The important question is how the event fared in terms of turnout numbers, and the answer is: well. “Blankets and Wine Kigali 2023 saw an enthusiastic turnout of 660 attendees,” said Joan Mazimhaka, Co-Founder and CEO of Illume Creative Studio whose company organised Blankets & Wine Kigali in collaboration with The Aeffect Company. “It was heartening to witness such strong community support for the arts and creativity, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us to make the event a success.” I asked Mazimhaka whether we could expect Blankets & Wine more frequently in Kigali. “While we can't confirm the frequency of future events at this moment, we are committed to continuing our mission of celebrating culture and creativity in Kigali,” she said, adding that they are always exploring opportunities to bring Blankets & Wine to the community more frequently and are excited about the potential for future editions. It’s imperative that I point out that these sort of events have one caveat: it's advisable not to go alone. Most people appear to be part of tight-knit groups, unless you're always brimming with social energy and can mingle easily. Fortunately, I found myself teaming up with a person I had only met once before, along with his girlfriend, after a few cocktails, all of us pretending to be sober. Our conversation shifted from discussing what's considered important news to a more banal yet juicy topic – our dating experiences. We managed to keep going until nearly 10 pm, even as the temperature dropped into the low 20s. Was it the coziest environment for socializing? Not really. But, the drinks provided a pleasant buzz, the food was delectable, the vibe was just perfect, and the evening almost felt ordinary. To my surprise, I hardly noticed the cold; I relished those few hours with my new friends, making plans for future hangouts and hoping that life wouldn't somehow get in the way. It felt somewhat peculiar, like watching a movie with a predictable ending but secretly wishing that the storyline would take an unexpected turn.
