An Arts Weekend for the Enthusiasts

It’s the last long weekend of the year and the gods of art and culture have seen fit to treat Windhoekers to a feast of literature, theatre, dance and drag.

While the city’s post-pandemic live arts scene can leave plenty to be desired, today, when asked what they’re up to later, theatre lovers can boldly and somewhat scandalously reply: ‘My Koek is Moeg’.

For those unfamiliar with the celebrated Namibian play, here are the facts. ‘My Koek is Moeg’, written and initially directed by Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja, was first performed in Windhoek in 2012 and again in 2014. It has since been staged in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The issue-driven but humorous play tells the story of an attractive young woman named Poppie Plaatjies whose shiny façade masks the hidden trauma of toxic relationships and various forms of abuse.

Starring Abby Molz and directed by Obett Motaung, ‘My Koek is Moeg’ is on at the Theatre School (63 Robert Mugabe Avenue) in Windhoek today and tomorrow. Tickets cost one red Hendrik at the door and the show starts at 20h00.

Also eager to collect your coins this evening is the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation’s ‘Discovering Michel’ at the National Theatre of Namibia. While ‘My Koek is Moeg’ will give you minimalism, monologues, intensity, laughter and tears, OYO taking on the life and music of French singer and songwriter Michel Berger is strictly spectacle.

Expect 15 dancers, three singers, five musicians and a choir of 50 teenagers from Windhoek and Okahandja. Performers include Ashwyn Mberi, Clémentine Ruel and Lucie Machart, supported by the Hot Pocket Band and Jesús Lasso Ray. OYO’s dance stars are Desmond Kamerika, Mary Jane Andreas and Joe Nakapela and the tale is one of loss, love and purpose. ‘Discovering Michel’ additionally features a special appearance by Rodelio Lewis. Tickets are N$150 from Webtickets and N$180 at the door.

Still on and free at Goethe-Institut Namibia this evening is the Doek Literary Festival. The biennial event has been host to a number of local and international writers. Each continues to share insights into their work and the wider African and diasporic literary sphere under the theme of ‘Independence – Freedom Through Reading and Writing’.

Tonight’s closing session begins at 18h15. The evening’s programme will feature discussions on freedom through reading, as well as freedom through writing with esteemed international authors Femi Kayode, Simphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Ondjaki, Troy Onyango, Zukiswa Wanner, Chiké Frankie Edozien, Ishion Hutchinson, Maaza Mengiste and Mukoma Wa Ngugi.

The Doek Literary Festival will end with what festival director Rémy Ngamije calls “music, chills, feels and vibes” with musical guests Querida, Gabes and Slow. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring along a picnic blanket and enjoy some music under the stars.

If all this non-stop art action doesn’t have you thoroughly exhausted, Sunday is no less of a day to support the arts. Do yourself a favour and join the fabulous Gigi Has Arrived for Drag Night Unplugged at Anna’s Kloovenburg (42 Berg Street) in Klein Windhoek.

Drag Night Unplugged is a spin-off of Drag Night Namibia and features a selection of live performances by a splash of drag queens and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and other (LGBTQI+) community stars singing both covers and original music.

Anna’s Kloovenburg’s delicious wines and moreish platters are the cherry on top of this intimate evening. This edition’s theme is ‘Shades of Nude’ and, be warned, folks do tend to make an effort. Tickets are available on Webtickets and are one red and one green Hendrik at the door.

Finally, if you’ve ever complained about Windhoek’s lacking live arts scene, this weekend of moeg koeks, French spectaculars, star-studded literary festivals and drag delights should, for the moment, shut you up.

Definitely an arts weekend for the enthusiasts, what’s left to declare is “see you there!”.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com