SOUTH AFRICAN TO HEADLINE BLANKETS

South Africa's Lira is set to headline the first Blankets and Wine this Sunday, March 5. Lira is not new to the Kenya stage as she has performed at the Jazz festival South Meets East and Black in 2009 and the Black Peacock Ball in 2008. Both concerts were held at the National Museums of Kenya. According to Blankets and Wines's  Justine Wanjiku, Lira will be performing for the third time in Nairobi due to public demand. The South African singer is best known for her single Feel Good, which won her the 2007 South Africa Music Award (SAMA) in the category Best Music Video. She has performed alongside Jazz music heavyweights like Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Ringo, and many other jazz bands. Tickets for the show are going for Sh2,500 for a seat in the VIP stand and Sh1,000 for an ordinary seat.

HUGH MASEKELA TO LIGHT NAIROBI

Legendary jazz maestro Hugh Masekela is in Nairobi ahead of his performance at the Carnivore tonight.

The 73-year-old South African composer and singer is famed for his hit Bring Him Back Home which became the anthem for Nelson Mandela's world tour following his release from prison.

Now, his Kenyan fans can get to watch him live in concert. He will be backed by Aaron ‘Krucial Keys’ Rimbui at the concert sponsored by Safaricom. Hugh was in the country last year on behalf of African Leadership Academy (ALA). He performed at the ALA Champions Dinner event, a small private event at Serena Hotel. ALA is a non-profit organization, which has as its mission to develop the next generation of African Leaders. They held the event to raise funds. The gate charges are Ksh 2500 advance and Ksh 3000 at the gate.