Recently on the 18th of November, The Evergreen Music Company in conjunction with National Theatre, iganmu, Lagos unveiled their plans to revamp a more lovable ambience for music lovers.
speaking at the press conference tagged Repositioning the Nigerian Entertainment Industry for Posterity, the MD Evergreen Music Company, Bimbo Esho stated that they are flagging off with their partners, National Theatre, the first leg of Nigerian music live band competitions in Lagos.
The special which is tagged ThrillerBandz@Theatre is billed to happen on the prestigious ground of National Theatre this December to spice the Yuletide period.
The primary objective of the programme is to showcase an important aspect of Nigerian musical heritage for development into a viable cultural product. It is to spice local musicians, who perform gigs at the several entertainment rendezvous that dot the national landscape to up their ante. The initiative is to promote the composition of meaningful lyrics and lively songs, quality dance styles, stage appeal as well as excellent performances to delight music patrons even beyond the shores of Nigeria. This is in correlation with the theme to take this aspect of Nigerian musical heritage and entertainment to upscale as enduring legacy for universal condiment.
It is a fact that the entertainment industry is one sub group of our economy defying all odds such as recession and the meltdown. Also, several efforts are in full gear to better prepare the country for expected influx of tourists as desired by governments at the three tiers.
One memorable activity visitors can enjoy is the regular cultural music performances at the several relaxation centres and the night clubs all over Nigeria. The importance of this heritage to our cultural development and economy was demonstrated not too long ago when visiting French president, Emmanuel Macron, was special guest to the popular New African Shrine with his team to reminisce his cultural music experience as envoy in the country. The impact and influence of the late Afro Music legend and impresario, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in live performances, fortunately kept alive by offsprings was displayed for national and international appreciation.
As major stakeholder in the development of Nigerian culture and a statutory custodian, we are duty bound to inspire the expansion and improvements of this tradition that holds a lot of promise to further grow our burgeoning music and entertainment industry as well as the economy. With the competition, where outstanding performers shall win laurels, fantastic cash prizes and musical instruments, many talents shall also be unveiled to the media and record labels.
Not less than 50 live bands are expected to showcase their musical prowess to thrill, pleasure and dazzle the audience and African music aficionados in a relaxed environment with unique environment, colourful lightings, savory culinary delights and drinks. We assure an enchanting 12-hour back-to-back session of delights to the audience come Friday, December 17, 2021 to Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 6:00pm Friday evening to 6:00am Saturday morning. The occasion shall also be graced by some of our respectful musical legends like Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Bishop (Sir.) Shina Peters, Mike Okri, Stella Monye, Kola Ogunkoya, Dayo Kujore and Yinka Davies to mention few will stand as mentor and give guidance on live band entertainment.
While we recreate the live band platform for authentic African music repertoire to boost musical tourism and Nigerian culture at the elevated social relaxation and unique entertainment rendezvous, the beauty of our heritage centre, the National Theatre is also on display for guests to explore. The facility now undergoing massive renovation shall regain its pride and prestige as our national monument and we want to keep this spirit alive. As you can see they have this marquee, where we are being hosted and their luxuriant premises is available for events and public use. They are a venue with more than enough parking spaces for whatever activities and they have an army of professional event managers and security personnel to service patrons.
Present at the event was the Chairman of Evergreen Music Company, Pa Femi Esho who was decorated with an award of honour for his tremendous contribution to the growth of African music and also spotted at the event were some veterans such as Tunji Bamishigbin and Yinka Davies.
at a session during the press conferences, few of the musical artistes present were allowed to display their vocal talents.
The general manager/CEO of the National theatre Prof. Sunday Enessi Ododo, fsonta, fta, fsna, FNAL, also delivered speech at the joint press conference saying the members of the management of the National Theatre, the representative of Evergreen Music Company, our partners in this entertainment venture, staffs of the national theatre, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen.
Let me use this opportunity to formally welcome the press corps to the latest addition to national theatre infrastructure, the National Theatre Marquee which is the venue hosting this press conference.
installation of this marquee is our latest efforts at deflecting the impacts of the ongoing renovations of the National Theatre. While the work last, we are not going to be idle; rather, we are going to be implementing our vision of thinking outside the box, reinventing the wheel by providing purposeful and objective leadership to the National Theatre.
This marquee is less than one month in operation; but I am proud to announce the patronage it has enjoyed so far which gives me credence to the thinking which birthed it. I am proud that it is hot in demand, and I have booking requests on my table of event planned from now till the end of the year. That gives me confidence that the public and our clients have bought into our vision, perspicacity and philosophy for a National theatre stepped in activities.
One of such event is the THRILLERBANDZ@THEATRE, a collaboration between the National Theatre and Evergreen Music Company. All these are going on despite the repair works and the temporary loss of access to the edifice itself. This is because to us, the National Theatre is an idea both tangible and intangible; it is the physical monument as well as the theatre that transcends physical walls boundaries; hence our tenacity of purpose to forge ahead despite such obstacle that might have cowed many. For us, the show must go on.
The second National Theatre festival of unity with the theme "Enduring Optimism" is particularly apt at this period in time for us at the National Theatre; for Nigerians and indeed the entire world. we have remained optimistic and that is why we have seen opportunities where others might have seen insurmountable challenges.
We have kept the Theatre alive so much that a lot of people wonder at the paradox of the National Theatre being busier now that the complex is locked for much the needed renovations than when it was in use years before now.
For example; with staff trainings, round table engagements with industry stakeholders and corporate partners, the workshop on theatre technology and the National Theatre play reading series which I am happy to announce is going to Nasarawa state universities in the coming year. We have continue to put optimism to great use in breaking new grounds and keeping the National Theatre functional in the areas of talent hunt and development in the performing arts; the preservation, promotion and presentation of our cultural heritage in Nigeria which are part of the core mandates of the National Theatre.
Last year December, I was barely three months in office, I, my management team and staffs of the National Theatre with the invaluable support of the creative industry through their association guilds successfully staged for the first National Theatre festival of unity even with zero budgetary provision.
It is only possible because we worked hard, called in favours from friends and allies in the industry, leverage on pre-existing relationships and goodwill, it is so heart warming that Nigerian artistes and in diaspora came to perform. The occasion also created a platform for upcoming artistes to showcase their talents.
This year's National Theatre festival of unity is going to be bigger, bolder, and richer as we have had more time to crystalize the vision, engage more people from the entertainment space and gotten many positive feedbacks. There are state art councils awaiting our invites. while the Lagos State council for arts and culture has volunteered to come in as principal partner.
We recognize the important and the role of the press, hence this press conference.
National Theatre festival of unity-Enduring optimism is billed to commence on Friday 10th of December and run through Sunday 12th of December, 2021. On the menu we have Music, Exhibition Dance, Drama, Comedy, Street Carnival and more. We assure you a wonderful outing, thank you for listening - said the chairman/CEO of the National Theatre.
By Juliet Oluranti Fanayajo
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