*(Story adapted from “Celebrations begin for Jimi Solanke, as beloved storyteller turns 80”, by Opeyemi Ajao of https://thisislagos.ng)
THE drums have been rolled out to celebrate veteran actor, poet and dramatist, Jimi Solanke, who turns 80 this month – Monday, July 4.
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 July 1st 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. To be held virtually via zoom, the event will begin at 4 pm with the introduction of his biography “Jimi Solanke:The Indestructible”, written by Oluwatoyin Sutton. This will be followed by screening of Jimmy Show, an ’89’ mins documentary on the life and career of the multi-talented and skilled artiste, which is directed and produced by Ayo Adewumi.
On Saturday 2 July, there will be a Choral Music Concert tagged the “Festival of Praise” at the Methodist Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Opebi Ikeja, Lagos and the unveiling of Solanke’s music album, “Oba Awon Oba”. The event, produced by Sir Semoore Badejo for Concrete Communications Studios, will start at 2pm.
For Sunday 3 July, there will be a virtual Highlife Conference on the playwright’s root and influence in Highlife music, which will also feature introduction of his biography, “Jimi Solanke: The Indestructible”; and the screening of the documentary, Jimmy Show. It is 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), located opposite Emmanuel Church, off Old Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Ipara-Remo, Ogun State. The event will feature prayers, thanksgiving concert, communion and praises. It starts at 10 am.
Tuesday 5 July, a jazz conference tracing Solanke’s root and influence in contemporary jazz movement will hold both virtually, and live at 4 pm at Bogobiri House, No 9 Maitama Sule Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. It will also showcase screening of documentary, Jimmy Show, as well as the introduction of his biography, The Indestructible. Produced by the Lagos Jazz Society (LJS) and conducted by the Trustees of the society, it will commence at 4 pm.
The celebrations will continue on Wednesday, the 6th with a reading of the play, “ETITI, ALL EYES ON YOU”, by selected artistes in the presence of the celebrant. Slated for 12 noon, the event is hosted by the management of National Theatre of Nigeria, and will hold in the Theatre’s Marquee in 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, and it is hosted by the Crown Troupe of Africa and directed by Segun Adefila. These events will also feature the documentary screening and introduction of the biography.
Thursday, the 7th, there will be a mentorship session which will have the celebrant sharing special moments with hundreds of students of the Department of Theatre and Music, Lagos State University, Ojo from 12 noon. It will also showcase the documentary Jimmy Show by Ayo Adewumi.
Lastly, Friday the 8th, is the wrap of the 8-day celebrations. The main act is the tribute concert at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, showcasing music, poetry and theatre and will feature a variety of bands and artists in honour of the celebrant. The bands include; Yinka Alakija Prime Qwest Band; Gboyega Adelaja; Yinka Davies; Abbey Afowoslide; Segun Adefila and the Crown Troupe of Africa and others. The famous actor, Hafeez Oyetoro (popularly known on TV and movies as Saka) will make special appearance. The event is directed by Raymond Bola Browne, and hosted by the management of the Park. It will begin at 6pm. Earlier at 4pm, a special edition of the visual art documentation project, Living Icons Life Drawing featuring children artists from various schools as well as some professional artists will hold in the gardens of Freedom Park. It is directed by the painter, art scholar, Dr. Olu Ajayi, who is initiator of the project. The events will be live and virtual.
