When streets turned into dancing halls

Participants enjoy World Music Day on the streets of Kampala. photo by Michael Kakumirizi

What you need to know:

The World Music Day allows the expression of all styles of music in a
cheerful atmosphere

Launched in 1982 by the French ministry for Culture, Fête de la Musique,
also known as World Music Day, is held in different countries around the
world. In Uganda, the celebrations were held on Kampala streets and
National Theatre, last Saturday.
This emblematic and multidisciplinary festival is aimed to promote access
to artistic and cultural endeavours with its foundation built around
three main ideas: Free of charge, Focuses on musical discovery and Spark
curiosity.
The day’s performances started with unplugged sessions from Bantu Clan,
who rapped hip-hop songs at KCCA Park near Watoto, multitalented
percussionist Hakim Kiwanuka, who played traditional music in a
contemporary way with his African Orchestra of xylophones, flutes, tube
fiddle at Constitutional Square, vocalist Sandy Soul who trilled
pedestrians along Kampala Road at Cham Towers with her strong beats and
electrified sounds of soul and jazz funk. Jovan Kiyingi attracted
attention when he showcased creativity in the play of drums and guitars
before the street performances were closed in the evening by former
Tusker Project Fame contestants, Undercover Brothers, at Parliamentary
Avenue.
The World Music Day allows the expression of all styles of music in a
cheerful atmosphere. It aims at a large audience, working to popularise
musical practice for young people from all social backgrounds with an
opportunity to communicate and share a very special moment through music.
Completely different from a music festival, the Fête de la Musique is
open to amateur and professional musicians. Some of the artistes who
participated in the fête included Baximba Waxes, Jackie Akello, Syvester
and Abramz, Suzan Kerunen, Joel Sebunjo and Maurice Kirya, who performed
live in the green space of National Theatre, until midnight.
With the impulse and the dynamism of the French cultural network,
Alliance Francaise Kampala, the awareness of the day was raised and the
attendance was good. The festival displays its constant capacity to
reinvent itself.

Participants speak out about the day
‘This platform is heaven on earth. It has helped us to reach out to
people,’
Sandy Soul, jazz artiste

‘It is really great. It has brought us together with fans out on the
streets,’
Undercover brothers

‘As an artiste, the day has connected me to the community, who make up my
fan base,’
Juggle Omusoga, hip-hop rapper