It is that time of the week again, when Kigali gears up for another round of culture, sound, food and late-night energy. If you have been wondering what the city has lined up next, this weekend brings a full spread of performance art, concerts, festivals and everything in between. Here is your guide, in order of when the action unfolds. View this post on Instagram ALSO READ: Ngaara blurs music, performance, & visual art in ‘99.9 Station: The Night Show’ Friday, November 7 Isôoko Great Lakes Festival L’Espace has kicked off the Isôoko Great Lakes Festival, a four-day celebration designed to spotlight the creative pulse of the region. Running from Thursday, November 6, through Sunday, November 9, the festival brings together dance, theatre and puppetry, all rooted in the idea of storytelling as a shared cultural thread. Isôoko translates to “source,” fitting for an event that aims to nurture creativity, connect artists across borders and encourage cross-regional collaboration. Performances are spread across L’Espace in Nyamirambo, Goethe-Institut on KN 27 Street, and Kimisagara Maison des Jeunes. Entry is free, keeping the festival accessible to anyone curious enough to step in. The festival closes on Sunday with one of its most anticipated productions, “Frozen Power,” by Muda Africa from Dar es Salaam. Choreographed by Ian Mwaisunga, the piece draws from the story of Liti Kidanka, a legendary female ruler from Tanzania’s Singida region who is said to have possessed extraordinary powers. A coffee vendor in Dar es Salaam sets the tone for a narrative that blends folklore, anti-colonial resistance and questions about women’s leadership. The performance features five dancers and a live musician. Music in Space Reunion Party Friday brings the return of Music in Space, the concert that was postponed in August after founder Bjorn Vido suffered two heart attacks. Three months later, he is back on his feet and ready to revive the show under a new theme, the “Music Reunion Party.” Set for Friday, November 7, at Kigali Universe, this edition blends live sets with pre-recorded performances, turning the stage into a meeting point between technology and creativity. The night promises electric collaborations and an exclusive short documentary on the project’s global journey and climate advocacy mission. Performers include Davis D, Bushali, Diez Dola, DJ Benda, Bizizi and Kay Gee D from South Africa, Mac J, Sir Kisoro, and Vido’s own Music in Space Experience. Tickets are Rwf10,000 for regular and Rwf20,000 for VIP. If you bought a ticket for the postponed August show or own official Music in Space merchandise, you get in free. Block & Chill Kigali The Africa Blockchain Festival has its own nightlife moment with Block & Chill Kigali, an after-dark experience set for Friday and Saturday, November 8, at Atelier du Vin. From 7 p.m. to midnight, the event mixes tech culture with Kigali’s nightlife through performances by DJ Marnaud, Whiteman Fake Poco, Dami Adenuga, Paulash Panache and DJ Toolz. Expect a laid-back crowd of builders, innovators and creatives unwinding after a heavy week. Saturday, November 8 Harmony Africa Plurse Concert On Saturday, the Harmony Africa Plurse Concert brings a lineup packed with regional flavor, celebrating African sound and artistry at Kigali Universe. Kirikou Akili, Double Jay, Social Mula, Bushali, Fireman and Naason Solist lead the show. Doors open at 5 p.m., with tickets priced at Rwf10,000 for regular, Rwf20,000 for VIP and Rwf150,000 for a table of six. Street Palette If live shows are not your Saturday mood, Street Palette brings an entirely different atmosphere at Utakah Picnics, starting at 2 p.m. and running until late. This event blends street fashion, food culture, art and music in a warm, fireside setting. Expect a barbecue station where you grill your own meat, a live acoustic set by the bonfire, a paint-and-chill corner with Kigali Canvas, tattoo artists on site, a street food station and a lineup of creative games. Drinks range from mocktails to cocktails, all set within Kigali’s thriving street-style scene. Entrance is Rwf10,000. Nyege Nyege: Kigali Warm-Up Nyege Nyege brings its trademark chaos and colour to Mundi Center // Depot37 this Saturday for its Kigali Warm-Up edition. From 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., the event features Kampire from Uganda, Assyouti from Egypt, Binghi and Boben from Rwanda, and Masaka Masaka from Uganda. Early bird passes go for Rwf8,000, rising to Rwf10,000 before 9 p.m. and Rwf15,000 afterward. Discounted full festival passes will also be available at the gate. Kigali Fight Night Sports fans get their share of action at Zaria Court as Kigali Fight Night returns with international contenders from Nigeria, Tanzania, Gabon, Kenya and Rwanda. Alongside professional bouts, the night includes five amateur fights showcasing local rising talent. The organizers, Silverback Sports, promise a blend of sports and entertainment with DJ sets, big walkouts and a charged atmosphere made for fans who love their boxing loud. Tickets include silver at Rwf20,000, Platinum VIP at Rwf60,000, a team night-out package at Rwf150,000 and a Platinum VIP group package at Rwf900,000. Stay in the loop with The New Times for the latest from Kigali’s entertainment scene and breaking news. Follow us on social media for curated weekend picks and real-time updates.
