Weekend Review
“Well done and congratulations! You made it to the weekend”! Think about how perfect that sentence would be, accompanied by a beautifully wrapped gift and a cold glass of something delicious on a beautifully pleasant day. Well, I can’t make that first scene happen for you so… yeah sorry…BUT what I can do is give you this segment twice a month so you can skim through a series of disappointments and enjoy my curated list of the things to do each weekend.
Now let’s start with some Play time.
Now first of all repeat to yourself this phrase: I am not old and there is no better time to experience this than now! Then inhale, and step into whatever activity it is that you told yourself you were too old to engage in! It is true that the hectic pace of life (especially life in Lagos) can have you searching desperately for your bed after a long work day, but don’t. give. in. Instead…
Go out in the middle of the week. Yes it’s been a long day, and yes you’re tired and oh you would like to see so and so but maybe another time, today you just can’t take it. But in the world we live in is tomorrow really going to be any easier? You need to apply the same effort to your work, as to your play. Don’t be lazy about getting play time. It’s serious work. And for the middle of the week in Lagos: whether you’re an old Lagosian and spent your childhood up-to-no-good in clubs from Ikoyi to VI and back, or you stepped off a plane into the heat at Murtala Muhammed Airport and have been struggling to catch a breath and sweating buckets from the humidity no one warned you about, Bottles is really the place to go and connect with old friends and make some new ones because Lagos is nothing without the many colourful inhabitants of this mega city.
Another Great adventure is heading down with a couple of friends to The New Africa Shrine in Ikeja where Femi Kuti (if he’s in town) will be rehearsing with the band (which is effectively a free show). There is something magical and impressive about the music and the discipline present in the skill of his craft. At the very least, you will have a more interesting Thursday night than the one before. This adventure is for the more seasoned Lagosian and is certainly not a polished tourist attraction for the easily spooked or obvious tourist. While the area is incredibly safe, like in any city it pays to be alert and have a knowledgeable indigene with you!
Pausing and taking a moment to catch your breath is a key ingredient to a successful weekend. Taking a good portion of the day to simply get your mind right is key. For me these days, because I’ve slowly morphed into the sort of geeky workaholic my younger self would have scorned, I find that my pause me-time is personal maintenance and chore time: from cleaning my room to organising my meetings for the following week, to cleaning out my car. And this is the time I pause and listen to Music. To be fair driving time has also become that, but I digress. This week I pause musically over 3 bodies of work:
..And The Bass Is Queen by Lindsay Abudei: An Abuja based artist with International quality, this album is a beautiful revelation on the Nigerian Music scene. Covering topics from faith to make-ups and break-ups, the album covers an impressive emotional range and the Bass is truly Queen. Special Mention to producer
R.E.D. by Tiwa Savage: Nigeria’s Queen of Afro-pop is back with an impressive album delivering what sounds we expect and exploring more of her R &B and hip-hop elements. You will spend time enjoying this Album, that’s for sure.
The Black Couch LP by Tomi Thomas of L.O.S: Incredibly sultry music and definitely one to get your girl’s panties in a bunch. He shows a versatility in his musicality that is surprising for one so young. One to keep watching.
Rewind to that time you saw the posters, teasers and trailers for these films and you said to yourself “ I’ll make time to watch it !” Now instead of moving the past, go watch a good film and here are a couple I think are worth the time:
The CEO, a film by Kunle Afolayan: This movie boasts of a Pan-African cast of truly skilled actors, but it’s the story itself that really drew me: A group of business execs are invited to a corporate retreat on an Island to stand in competition for the position of CEO of a multinational company, then things start going wrong.
It is a simple story set in a context we know and understand and it is brilliantly executed. This one gets a thumbs up from me for both production value and the story development, but then what else does one expect from a Kunle Afolayan movie? Go see it so you don’t feel left out when discussing the best in African Cinema.
Tarzan: Like a movie adaptation of a classic childhood story/cartoon isn’t always an exciting prospect, then put in the hunk that is Alexander Skarsgard and that’s a film that you just have to see! Ok, I’ll be honest, as an African, it was difficult to ignore the incredibly racist undertones running through the film, however, it was a great cinematic piece complete with the action, comedy and Romance needed for a true summer blockbuster. Don’t be left out of a conversation at your office watering hole and go watch what happens When Tarzan returns to the jungle with his Jane.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The most epic rewind of them all, Take it all the way back with the Ninja Turtles! I haven’t seen this summer flick yet but from what I hear its worth a gander!
I’ve honestly made myself quite excited about the weekend so I am off to explore! Until next time, Carpe Diem!
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