Hello readers!
January 2019 has come to an end and thankfully lasted only 31 days, as opposed to its predecessor January 2018 which lasted 94 days, 17 hours and 35 minutes (get it? Because January 2018 seemed like forever? haha).
Let's get down to it!
February 2019 starts tomorrow and these are the top 7 things you should get up to in Freetown this year (in no particular order):
1. Tok U Tok🗣🎙🎵
Music and Poetry are an integral part of Sierra Leonean culture. Over the years, these art forms have garnered attention and the performing arts scene being in its formative years still lacks the needed exposure. Tok U Tok is a platform for musicians and poets to introduce themselves to an audience or try out new material they’ve been working on. Tok U Tok seeks to create an atmosphere that bridges the gap between audience and artiste; allowing the artiste to be candid yet intimate with the audience. Tok U Tok holds bi-monthly (with a two weeks interval) at the Two Guys Restaurant, 71 Wilkinson Road.
Tok U Tok is curated by Marco Koroma.
He can be found on the following social media handles:
Facebook: Marco Koroma
Instagram: @marco_krm
Twitter: @Marco_krm
The next Tok U Tok will take place on Thursday, February 14 2019 @ 7:30pm.
2. The Chemists 🍹
The Chemists is a company set up to give Sierra Leoneans the exposure to a wide range of cocktails. The Chemists thrive on continuous improvement as a result we add different cocktails to our menu for every month.
So far, they’ve incorporated Board games to go with the cocktails. On a monthly basis, they hold events at either a restaurant, bar or hotel thereby giving young professionals the opportunity to network and play games on a Friday after work with friends and catch up at a new location.
This month's location is at New Brookfields Hotel, Friday February 1st 2019 at 8pm.
The Chemists is owned by Emeric Elliot.
3. Jalika's Kitchen 🥘
“I work as a doctor but cooking is also my passion. I love having different types of food everyday, and I also eat with my eyes. So taste and presentation are everything. But the best part of cooking for me is when others taste and enjoy my food.” — Dr. Mustapha.
Dr. Mustapha brings to us “Jalika’s Kitchen. A pop up restaurant that offers great continental food with a Salone twist. Most of the courses listed on the menu are locally acquired ingredients and that is Jalika’s Kitchen will be bringing to your table: home grown food. From beef patties stuffed with gari to ice cream with cashew toppings, Jalika’s Kitchen has it all! Jalika’s Kitchen’s aim is to change the narrative that continental food can’t but CAN be made in Sierra Leone but much much yummier.
Her pop up restaurant will be held on Friday, February 8 2019 at 19B Aberdeen Ferry Road at 6pm.
Cost: Le120,000
RSVP: +23276968557
Jalika's Kitchen is curated by Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha.
4. Y Square Podcast 🗣🎙
Yasmin Metz-Johnson of Yasmin TELLS & I ...Mina Bilkis lol have come together to create the Y Square Podcast! Our podcast hits Sound Cloud on February 7 2019! We will touch on different topics about living in Sierra Leone & our perspective through a millennial lens. Please follow the conversation on:
Twitter: @ysquarepod
Instagram: @ysquarepod
5. The V Monologues [{❤️}]
After much ado, The Vagina Monologues comes to Freetown!
The World Health Organization estimates that 1 out of every 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence. In 1996 Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues inspired hundreds of women to share their stories of rape, incest, battery, sex slavery and female genital mutilation. A movement was born out of the untold stories of women, and in 1998, V-Day was established to end violence against women and girls worldwide. Today, V-Day is a global activist movement that has reached billions of people through performances, word of mouth, and the media.
Every year, volunteer activists from around the world produce The Vagina Monologues, the art piece from which the V-Day movement was born. V-Day also includes various activities such as films, exhibitions, workshops and fundraising activities dedicated to raising awareness about gender-based violence. All proceeds from V-Day events are donated to local charities and organizations that work to end violence against women and girls. Since 1998 The V-Day movement has supported the establishment and maintenance of safe houses and rape crisis centres, caused laws to be changed to protect women and girls, and organized large-scale benefits and campaigns to educate people and change social attitudes towards violence against women.
The V Monologues will be held on Wednesday February 13th 2019 at 7pm, at Toma Resort, Aberdeen. The name Vagina Monologues was changed to V Monologues in order to be more culturally sensitive. Tickets will be priced at Le50,000 ordinary, and Le250,000 for patrons. Patrons will receive food and a glass of Prosecco, while the rest of the audience will be encouraged to support the venue by purchasing drinks. This is a fundraising event where 90% of proceeds will be donated to the Rainbo Centre in Sierra Leone, and 10% will be donated to the V-Day collective fund to support incarcerated women.
The V Monologues is curated by Mimi Bangali.
6. Blogging Salone 📝
Long time Sierra Leonean blogger Vickie Remoe will be hosting a bloggers training workshop on Saturday, February 9 2019 at 08:00am at Hotel Africanus* (subject to change). The venue will be confirmed as the interested generated has been quite high and a venue to hold all interested participants is underway. Ms. Remoe aims to turn everyday citizens into citizen bloggers and digital reporters to build a larger directory of Sierra Leonean voices online.
7. Xtreme Africa 🗻🚲
Xtreme Africa’s want to help people see the beauty and excitement that’s on offer outside the capital. One can get a taste of what’s on offer by signing up to February’s cycling weekender in Lunsar (February 23rd-24th). Using top quality mountain bikes, one will cycle along some beautiful quiet trails, through traditional villages, forests, and rice paddies. Camp out in the hills with stunning views across the bush and return to town with the help of dugout canoes. Places are available at a special all-inclusive price of $80 (or Leones equivalent) including bike hire, food, & accommodation. Great for both body and soul!
For those who have a bit more time, there are some epic multi-day trips available for groups of 2 or more, including Packrafting, Mountain Biking & Hiking.
Xtreme Africa is curated by James Torvaney.
Instagram: @xtreme_africa
Website: www.xtreme.africa
Email: info@xtreme.africa
RSVP: +23276837879
To feature your brand, business or event contact us at info@minabilkis.com !
Ergo sum cogito