With a strategic collaboration with our culture partner, Rapjoint, we have found a reliable and safe space to enrich the minds and elevate culture. The November edition is a testament to our relentless resolve to continue to extend literature, culture and free speech beyond the four walls of silence.
…the community – which existed despite the dearth of its monthly meetup – was indeed a necessary force in this clime where the quest for greener pastures is making people have less proximity to their families and friends. He added that members who had experienced the intimate setting and depth of ideas and engagement contributed to the revival of the monthly meetup – with an opportunity to entertain a live stream for community members in the diaspora
AFTER a 4-year absence, Griots and Bards, GAB, a monthly arts, culture, and social conversation has indeed returned to life. The relaunch edition was staged in October at the RapJoint, an urban cultural centre for music, books and fine dining in the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos.
On Thursday, November 28, the second edition of the relaunch will hold at same venue, which has now become a home for the programme.
Earlier in September, Griots and Bards curated a meet-up with its partners and a select group of art lovers to reintroduce the event, and unbundle its core philosophy and values, disclosed the initiator and curator, Adebola Afolabi, aka REZAfolabi, poet and literary activist.
The relaunch edition in October “brought together art enthusiasts and upwardly mobile Nigerians who were delighted to have a hotspot to meet kindred spirits and to escape from the chaos of modern existence to the embrace of music, poetry and robust intellectual discussions,” stated the REZAfolabi.
Designed to stimulate conversations around culture, social, and other topical issues, amid performances in a convivial art party atmosphere, Griots & Bards was at the heart of Lagos culture scene until four years ago when it timed out due to several factors.
‘My team and I have resolved to keep the art and culture event going because of its artistic verve, its communal and therapeutic engagements,” said REZAfolabi, who, in the daytime, is a professional business consultant.
He continued, “With a strategic collaboration with our culture partner, Rapjoint, we have found a reliable and safe space to enrich the minds and elevate culture. The November edition is a testament to our relentless resolve to continue to extend literature, culture and free speech beyond the four walls of silence. ”
According to RezAfolabi, the community – which existed despite the dearth of its monthly meetup – was indeed a necessary force in this clime where the quest for greener pastures is making people have less proximity to their families and friends. He added that members who had experienced the intimate setting and depth of ideas and engagement contributed to the revival of the monthly meetup – with an opportunity to entertain a live stream for community members in the diaspora.
“Many of those who have been a part of the GAB community in the past have advocated nonstop for us to come back to convening on the last Thursday of every month.
Commenting on the choice of venue, GAB Convener, Afolabi also extolled Rap Joint Limited for their commitment to the cause of building communities that align with their own purpose. “We are pleased to welcome Rap Joint as a partner in the GAB journey. It was borne out of shared passion about building for the culture. We also have other partners including ModZero Media, Luminous Limited, Influent, among others.”
Recalling scenario at the October relaunch at RapJoint, the curator said the GAB guests sat huddled together on mats and beanbags, creating a village square ambience, cut off from the chaos of the city. Music performances were by Tosin Music, poetry and music by Ruth Mahogany, Habib Ajijola, among others.
The theme of the day, “To Return Home” elicited soul-stirring conversation about what home really meant to each person.
Veteran poet, Sage Hassan, who was also present at the event, summarized his perspective and others’ tagging “home” as something linked to individual purpose.
