Kigali’s weekend has theater, comedy & a Mother’s Day finish

A little rain in the air has not stopped the city from making plans. This weekend stretches from intimate theater spaces to packed dance floors, with comedy nights and Mother’s Day experiences rounding out a calendar that feels comfortably full. Here are six outings worth penciling in. ALSO READ: Timeless classics worth watching this weekend REBIRTH brings live theater to Katina’s Kafe If your idea of a night out leans toward something intimate, REBIRTH might be the one to catch first. Presented by Unagi and Kartie, the live play centers on a boy’s return after a “sea crash,” a dramatic way of setting up a story about survival, change and starting again. The production features Weya Viatora and Jules Caesar on stage, with the action unfolding Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Katina’s Kafe. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, a live play means the performance happens in real time in front of an audience, rather than on film or video. That makes the room part of the experience. Abiri Nitanu gets its own listening party at Lavana Music lovers can head to Lavana for the Julzz Touch Party, where the spotlight falls on Abiri Nitanu, the rap album by Pan African Music and Cornwine. A listening party is exactly what it sounds like, an event built around hearing a project start to finish with artistes, fans and DJs in the room. The night features appearances from Ish Kevin, B Threy, Pro Zed, Sema Sole and Angell Mutoni, among others, with DJ Julzz and DJ Katlous handling the blends. It all starts Friday with happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the bar specials suggest this one may stretch late. For listeners who like their music with a social edge, this is a chance to catch new work in a room designed for reaction. Comedy takes over Kigali Universe with Thank God It’s Funny Friday night also belongs to comedy at Kigali Universe, where Ugandan comedian Dr. Hillary Okello joins a local lineup that includes Micheal Sengazi, Herve Kimenyi, Arnold Mutara and Babu Joe for Thank God It’s Funny. Shows like this are built around stand-up, the format where comedians perform solo or in sequence, using short stories, observations and punch lines to keep the room moving. Tickets are set at Rwf10,000 for regular entry, Rwf20,000 for VIP and Rwf200,000 for a table of six. The show runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., giving the city a straightforward option for anyone looking to swap a long week for laughter. Nostalgia gets a room at Lemon Kigali Saturday evening takes a sharp turn into memory lane with Nights of Nostalgia at Lemon Kigali. The concept is simple and, for many, highly effective: no Amapiano, no Afrobeats and no Afro House. Instead, the night promises a playlist built for people who still know every word to songs they have not heard in years. The event leans into the kind of pop memories that defined entire phases of growing up, from crying to One Direction to living through a Katy Perry anthem for months on end. It begins Saturday, May 9 at 6 p.m. and runs until late. Regular tickets are Rwf7,500, with gate entry at Rwf10,000. In a city where DJs often jump across genres, this one is choosing a single lane and staying in it. Mic Tribe keeps the hip-hop energy alive at Mundi Center For those who want heavier beats and a more underground feel, Mic Tribe returns to Mundi Center on Saturday with free entry. The hip-hop session is built around live voices, performance and community, and it has been shaping itself into a regular gathering for Rwanda’s rap scene. The lineup includes Karigombe, UNVRS, Nabrizza, E.T Ndahigwa, RY, Darya Kish and 99 Gang. The event begins at 5 p.m. and is meant to be less about passive watching and more about participation, whether that means showing up for an artiste or simply being in a room where the genre gets room to breathe. Hip-hop sessions like this often double as open cultural spaces, where artists test new material and audiences get a cleaner read on who is emerging. Outsiders Saturday keeps the party going at Azzurri Club & Lounge If the Saturday mood is more about nightlife than early sleep, Outsiders Saturday at Azzurri Club & Lounge has the kind of lineup that keeps the floor busy. MC Tshabalala and Kem Lion are on hosting duties, with Prince Okuta, Mixmore, DJ Bhura and 72C on music. The event offers free entry before 8 p.m., with shots every hour, and the party runs until late. Mother’s Day plans bring food, markets and family time Sunday belongs to Mother’s Day, and Kigali has a few ways to mark it. At ONOMO Hotel Kigali, Mind Over Matter Live: Mother’s Day Experience offers brunch, conversation and a setting focused on motherhood in all its forms. Tickets are Rwf45,000. At Zaria Court, the Mother’s Day Market runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free entry, local vendors, food and gift options in a family-friendly setting. Markets like this usually work best when you are looking for something practical but still thoughtful, whether that is a last-minute present or a place to spend the day together. For families with young children, Mundi Kidz Movie Day offers a free-entry screening at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The film title is being kept under wraps for now, which adds a little suspense for the kids and a little convenience for parents looking for a relaxed outing. 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.

Entertainment

Kigali’s weekend has theater, comedy & a Mother’s Day finish