Lagos comes alive again this month of October, with various festivals loaded with so much fun. There is no better place you’ll rather be, and here are five reasons to back that claim.
1. Felabration

Felabration is a yearly festival of music and arts held in celebration of the life and times of Nigerian’s foremost musical icon, the late legendary Fela Anikulakpo Kuti. The concept was conceived by Fela’s eldest child Yeni who conceived it in 1998, and with the exception of 1999, Felabration has taken place yearly. Fellabration is a celebration of the life and times of the great Afro-Beat legend. At Fellabration, the arena is always charged and one can feel the spirit of the legend himself, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Lil Kesh, Vector, Timaya, Solid star, Mode-9, Show Dem Camp, and a host of other top Nigerian artist are billed to perform at this commemoration of the life and times of the great ‘Abamieda’ I am sure you dont want to miss something like this.


2. Boarderless words

Boaderless Words is the theme of West Africa’s first international poetry festival which debuts in Lagos from Wednesday, October 28 to Sunday, November 1. The Lagos International Poetry Festival as it is called would have some of the biggest names in the global literary space, poetry and spoken word.

Some of the headliners include: Warsan Shire (London’s first young poet laureate, winner of the first edition of the Brunel University African Poetry Prize), Safia Elhillo (Joint winner of the Brunel University African Poetry Prize for 2015), Lebo Mashile (South Africa’s eminent poet and activist), and Lola Shoneyin (Foremost poet, novelist and director of the famed Ake Book and Art Festival).
Others are: Inua Ellams, TJ Dema, Wana Udobang, Bassey Ikpi, Titilope Sonuga, Dami Ajayi, Jumoke Verissimo, Sage Hasson, Chuma Nwokolo, Odia Ofeimun, Chijioke Amu Nnadi, Dike Chukwumerije, AJ Dagga Tolar, Iquo Eke, Akeem Lasisi, Audu Maikori, Donna, and Elizabeth Ayoola.

A special keynote address is to be given by by Prof. J.P. Clark. The five day festival geared towards exploring poetry’s capacity to break racial, ethnic, gender, language and cultural divides, will feature master classes, riveting performances, panel discussions, artistic exhibitions, and a planned closing concert and party.

Venues for the event include Freedom Park, University of Lagos, Terra Kulture and others. You dont want to be late right?

3. African Futures festival

At the African Futures festival, artists and academics congregate in 3 locations across Africa – Johannesburg - South Africa, Nairobi - Kenya and Lagos - Nigeria to discuss the future of Africa specifically relating to art (and the bridge with technology).

The event features an interactive exhibition, lectures, music, film screenings, dance performances and a digital storytelling workshop. The edition to be held in Lagos kicks-off from Wednesday, October 28 to Sunday, November 1. I can't wait!

4. Lagos Photo festival

The Lagos Photo festival was launched in 2010, it is unarguably the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria. Events at the festival which lasts for a month, include: exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city.

It is aimed at reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa. At Lagos Photo, the local meets the international artists and unite through images that tell a unified story of their diversity. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, Don't you want to be a part of this wonderful event?