When Africa Night Productions decided to dub the October edition of Africa Night Tilburg the Kizomba special edition, it was an attempt to answer the call of some of our visitors who rightly say they miss this popular African music genre and dance in the Africa Night repertoire. Kizomba is a music genre that originated from Angola and is very popular in the Portuguese-speaking African countries. In the last couple of years, it has been making heavy inroads into the mainstream. Kizomba parties are springing up everywhere. The lovers like it because of its sensuality and the cool moves that allow the woman to shine on the dance floor.
Since we call ours Africa Night, it was only a matter of time that we tried to put this music on our play list menu. In October we decided it was time! Everything at Africa Night succeeds or fails by the grace of the guests. Amongst the guests this time were lots of new faces who we were sure came specially for the Kizomba ambiance. Once the DJs started playing we expected the dance floor to be invaded by the Kizomba lovers. Maybe our expectations were misplaced or maybe people needed to be warmed up to the music but the fact was that, only a few dared to invade the dance floor. Africa Night is a dance event. If people don’t dance, the DJs get nervous. If the music is different from the usual treat of Naija, Genge, Coupe Decalle, Bongo Flava, Zouglou, Azonto, Hiplife etc, some intolerant Nigerians would approach the organiser of Africa Night with their usual “what nonsense is your DJ playing?” which is not a question but a declaration! Of course after just one Kizomba number, the Nigerians made their way to the organiser!
Of course the DJs tried gallantly to Kizomba on but an empty dance floor is the worst nightmare of every DJ. So it was only a matter of time before the DJs started churning out the regular dance music. We have been told and we have seen with our own eyes that the people in the Kizomba scene like to take their time. They like to watch from the side line while a few brave couples show off their dance moves. Slowly as the night moves on, people always then join in the fun after they have downed a few beers and gotten over their stage fright. When you consider that most Kizomba parties begin early and close late, this is a luxury that Kizomba people can afford. When you consider that people really start to come in at Africa Night Tilburg around 23:00 hours and that hall is full around midnight, you will understand why others don’t have time to wait before the the real dancing begins. This especially since Africa Night lasts till 03:00 hours.
In any case once the regular music came on, the whole atmosphere became electrifying. At one point we thought the Kenyans were going to steal the show but to be honest, in the end it was a 3-1 to the Senegalese! Even though they were outnumbered, they certainly outshone others with their collective Mbalax dance moves. The Nigerians at Africa Night can learn one or two things from the Senegalese and the Kenyans. These 2 groups like many others enjoy all music from all parts of the continent. When the few songs from their respective countries come on, they always make a show of it. That is whereas the Nigerians whose music is played most of the time are just complaining the moment other music genres come on which they don’t recognise. Goodness knows how many times we have had that immortal sentence; “what nonsense is your DJ playing?” whenever they don’t recognise a song. We say just chill and dance. The Africa music world is bigger than P-Square, Bracket, Timaya and Flavour alone!
As for the Kizomba lovers who left home disappointed, we are sorry about your disappointment. But please next time, just take over the dance floor once a Kizomba number comes on. If people see that you are having so much fun, they will join you and make it a big party. The Senegalese and the Kenyans and the South Africans and the Cameroonians and the Ivoirians and the Tanzanians and the Burkinabes and the Ugandans and the Belgians and the Dutch, the Japanese, the Germans and the others too will join in! The Nigerians might not but never say never!
See you again next month (15-11-2014) and from now on there will be more Kizomba numbers on the play list. Sometimes we have to build new things very slowly!
