The drums have been rolled out to celebrate veteran actor, poet and dramatist, Jimi Solanke, who turns 80 this month.
Described by the Cable News Network (CNN) as a master storyteller, he is one of the reasons many Nigerians enjoyed their childhood in the late 20th century.
The event titled, Jimi Solanke @ 80: The many prongs of Baba Agba, the creative Octopus, will feature theatre, music, discourse, storytelling, poetry, film screening, mentorship and visual arts. The line-up of events will run from Friday 1 July to the 8th.
Solanke, who is also a singer, will be honoured on Friday 1 July, with a conference organised by the Ori Olokun Alumni that will be held at the OriOlokun Theatre. The event will be live and virtual and will begin at 4 pm with a book launch of his biography “Jimi Solanke:The Indestructible”, written by Oluwatoyin Sutton. This will be followed by “89” a documentary on the life and career of the playwright which is directed by Ayo Adewumi as well as the screening of the Jimmy Show.
On Saturday 2 July, there will be a Choral Music Concert tagged the “Festival of Praise” at the Methodist Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Ikeja, Lagos and the unveiling of Solanke’s music album, “Oba Awon Oba”. The event will be directed by Sir Semoore Badejo at 4 pm.
For Sunday 3 July, there will be a Highlife Conference, a virtual conference on the playwright’s root and influence in Highlife music with the introduction of his biography by Oluwatoyin Sutton and the screening of the Jimmy Show. It will be directed by Osezua Stephen Imobhio for the new Highlife Masters’ voice (nMHV). It will start at 4 pm.
On Monday 4 July, the celebrant will dedicate the Ibùdó-Àṣà (centre for creative and performing arts enhancement) which is opposite the Emmanuel Church, off Old Lagos-Ibadan expressway Ipara-Remo, Ogun State. The event will be held with prayers, thanksgiving concert, communion and praises. The time for the event is 10 am.
Tuesday 5 July, a jazz conference on his (JS) root and influence in contemporary jazz movement will commence at 4 pm at the Bogobiri House, No 9 Maitama Sule Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. It will also showcase the documentary and screening of his show as well as the introduction of his biography. It will be produced by the Lagos Jazz Society (LJS) and will be conducted by the Trustees and will commence at 4 pm.
The event will continue on Wednesday, the 6th with a reading of the play, “ETITI, ALL EYES ON YOU”, by the celebrant at 12 noon. The venue of the event will be the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. That same day, there will be a mentoring and storytelling session at the Crown Art Factory, 32, Awofodu Street, Bariga, Lagos. Commencing at 4pm, the theme of the event is Baba Agba: The Story Merchant, hosted by the Crown Troupe of Africa and hosted by Segun Adefila. These events will be followed by the documentary screening and the introduction of the biography.
Thursday, the 7th, there will be a mentorship event by the Department of Theatre and Music, Lagos State University, Ojo at 12 noon. It will also showcase the documentary by Ayo Adewumi.
Lastly, Friday the 8th, there will be a tribute concert showcasing music, poetry and theatre and will feature a variety of bands and artists in honour of the celebrant. It will begin at 12noon at Freedom Park, BroadStreet, Lagos. The band include; Yinka Alakija Prime Qwest Band; Gboyega Adelaja;Yinka Davies; Abbey Afowoslide; Segun Adefila and the Crown Troupe of Africa and others. The event is directed by Raymond Bola Browne.
That same day, there will be a Living Icons Life Drawing event at 4 pm. It will be directed by Olu Ajayi. Each of these events will be live and virtual.