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NEW SLAM POETRY SESSIONS FOR MODERN DAY CULTURE VULTURES IN NAIROBI

If you've visited the more leftfield underground venues of Brixton in London, then there's a good chance that you've been privy to the sight and sounds of some razor sharp beatnik poets.

A close encounter with the animal kingdom is more likely to be top of your list when you visit Africa's wildlife capital, however, now you grab some culture post safari with new Slam Poetry sessions being held at the Daas Restaurant in Nairobi.

If you're not familiar with this aural genre, it's a head to head battle of the poets - rather like Pop Idol, but perhaps slightly more cerebral. There's also a swifter judgment for the entrants as they have only three minutes, and a 30 second grace period, to grab the attention of the crowd.

An event that is certainly mixed in terms of its performances, you can usually bet on some heavy hip-hop influences, which draw on dub poetry, a little non-rhyming narrative, ironic monotone deliveries; and if you're really lucky, beat boxers, and tap dancers who choreograph their written word.

The monthly sessions, run by Buddah Blaze of Spark Africa Management are worth the short hop from central Nairobi, as they're a chance to get under the skin of the capital's buzzing cultural scene. Better still, as it's open mic - you might even be able to share the stage and perhaps recite some more personal works, inspired by your stay in Kenya.

The next Nairobi Slam Poetry event will run on the 17th of October from 8pm until 11pm at the Daas Daas Restaurant, Muthithi Road, Westlands, Nairobi. Westlands is Nairobi's social and entertainment centre for expatriates and wealthy Kenyans, a lively cluster of shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs 3kms to the northwest of the central business district.

For future events you can contact Spark Africa Management at blaze@sparkafrica.com or telephone +254 721 219 564 or visit WAPI and the British Council on Facebook: WAPI (WORDS AND PICTURES). Event dates subject to change.

Acacia Adventure Holidays offers a 3-day city stays in Nairobi - so culture vultures can combine their safari with a separate adventure in Nairobi. You can also get the insider perspective on the latest hip and happening attractions in the cosmopolitan capital from Crazy About Kenya's talented partners, as our "Buzzing Book of Nairobi" is due for imminent release at www.crazyaboutkenya.com.

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