Calabar my Calabar.
I am always uber excited when November is counting down to December. Once upon a time, when I was a little girl, my excitement was triggered by my anticipation of what will be my Christmas dress and what it would look like that year. Well, I am a big girl now(This doesn’t mean I don’t still buy myself a new dress for Christmas, I do). As a Calabar Born and Bred but now Lagos based young lady, I’m looking forward to the CALABAR FESTIVAL-32 days of non-stop fun which has produced what is now tagged Africa’s Biggest Street Party-The Calabar Carnival. The Calabar Carnival was first introduced about 7years ago by the then Governor, Donald Duke whose love and passion for our state grew into creating a platform for young citizens to explore their culture and for the world to see and appreciate. The Calabar Carnival is the most media covered event in Africa with a wide media coverage of CNN, Channel O, BBC, AIT, NTA, HiTv, Soundcity, Nigezie, just to mention a few. The Calabar Carnival takes place on the 26th(children)and 27th(Adults) December annually. Two days of FABulous costumes, lively choreography and the deafening sound of the bands, as they fill the street and march past in numbers of up to 50,000 performers, more than 500,000 spectators lining up on Calabar’s main thoroughfares and up to 20,000 cram into the stadium for the Grand finale.
Working hard and playing hard is a point of National pride for many Nigerians, so it’s no surprise that the country plays host to this Africa’s Biggest Street Party. Over 30,000party make their way to the month-long festival, the highlights of which are the carnival and the music concerts. The events begin with a traditional tree-lighting ceremony and last year’s opening night was graced by Her Excellency, Patience Jonathan-Wife of the President. And this year will see the usual list of dignitaries and celebrities in town for the other events.
Everyday is packed with activities ranging from an HIV/AIDS walk, to charitable events involving fashion, golf and the Calabar Carnival Queen Pageant. Inevitably, the events most popular with the young and hip are the concerts which have been headlined by international stars and the cream of Nigerian talent. The likes of Shaggy, Ne-yo, Keri Hilson, Wyclef, Akon, Mary Mary, Joe and Fat Joe have all flown in to Calabar to grace the stage in past years. Every major Nigerian artistes has also raised the roof including Asa, Dbanj and the Mohits crew, 2face Idibia, Darey, MI, Naeto C , Banky W etc and if iconic performances were not enough, the crowd will be shaking their tail feathers at the carnival.
This year’s Festival line-up is fun-packed, intriguing and as usual SUPER EXCITING.
PROPOSED CALENDAR OF ARTISTES FOR CALABAR FESTIVAL 2011
1. Wednesday 30th Nov.
-Tree Lighting Ceremony
Venue: The Millennium Park
Time: 8pm.
2. Thursday 1st Dec.
-City Walk against HIV/AIDS
Venue: Cultural Centre Mainbowl
Time: 7am
-Opening of the Festival Village and inspection of Shopping Fair and Arts Gallery
Venue: Cultural Centre
– HIV/AIDS Gala Night an awareness concert
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
3. Friday 2nd Dec.
-Carnival Essay Competition
Venue: Cultural Centre
Time: 10am
-Youth Development Program begins
Venue: Old Residency, National Staduim.
-Canaan Rhythms I:
Fada Kane, Monkals, Paulino, Harmony, Black Snow, Womi J, Bishop, Bros B, L-Phlem, Callytown
Comedy by Last Prophet, Eyo Whokes and H.O.D
Venue: Cultural Centre
Time: 7pm
4. Saturday 3rd Dec.
-Canaan Rhythms II with Mr. Xto, Nfaso, Uncle Eddy, Zerow Badman, Julie Hay, De Mac, Shadow, Achuz,Don Wonny, Voka
Comedy by Robert Ekpo, Prof. Aboki and Something Wrong.
5. Sunday 4th Dec.
– Voices of Paradise I: Choral competition featuring Calabar church choirs.
– Canaan Praise Night I with Don Moen, Mbasekei Ayomobi, Sabina Umoren, Mosaic, Ohen the Prophet, Kingsley Agbor, Bro. Nsan Obi, Aboki for Christ
Venue: U.J.Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
6.Monday 5th Dec.
-Laffmatazz I with I Go Die, Gandoki, Emeka Smith, I Go Save, Fada Itosky, Hezekiah and Headmaster. Plus music by Banky W, Wizkid, Speedyman, Elefes and Home Acts
Venue: U.J.Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
7. Tuesday 6th Dec.
-African Night with Salif Keita, Fally Ipupa, Seun Kuti, Yinka Davies, Effiom Trombone, AfrikaMan and Home Acts
Venue: U.J.Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
8. Wednesday 7th Dec.
-Theatre Night: THE ROYAL DANCE (Cultural Night with the NSE)
Venue: Cultural Centre Mainbowl
Time: 7pm
9. Thursday 8th Dec.
-Freestyle Night (music, dance, comedy, drama) with Step riders, Stepping Sisters, Etighi Dance Group, Salsa Group, D’Catalyst, Evang. Open Teeth and Home acts.
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
10. Friday 9th Dec.
-Theatre Nite featuring the play, Prisoners of Love by Dream Boat Entertainment
Odia Ofeimun Theatre Productions
Venue: Cultural Centre Mainbowl
Time: 7pm
11. Saturday 10th Dec.
-Motown Hits with The Temptations
plus Darey, Victor Uwaifo, Onos Brisibi, Cornel Ogar and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
12. Sunday 11th Dec.
-Voices of Paradise II: Choral competition featuring Calabar church choirs.
-Canaan Praise Night II Chevelle Franklyn, Stainless Group UK, Lara George, Dcness Nnanke Etta, Odems, REE, Gospel, Godswill Daniel, Evang. Blessing Nkwam and The Godfather
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
13. Monday 12th Dec
-Theatre Night: Lari Williams Playhouse and IKA – CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Venue: Cultural Centre
Time: 7pm
14. Tuesday 13th Dec.
-Dance Jam with Timaya, Wacomzy, Nigga Raw, Solid Star, Harrisong, Asodor, RNO and Johannel.
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
15. Wednesday 14th Dec
-Keeping it Real with MI, Jesse Jags, Naeto C, Lynxx, Freewindz, Mr. Kool, Austino Milado, Jukebox
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
16. Thursday 15th Dec.
-Music Nigeriana with Sunny Neji, Dede Mabiaku, Feladey, Oba Omega, Effi Duke, Shan George, Ernie Bassey, King Dave, Darlington and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
17. Friday 16th Dec.
-Canaan Food Fair I
Venue and Time: TBD
-ReggealRagga in Calabar with Sean Kingston, General Pype, King Wadada, Nyore, Gen. Brown Bread, Kandy Sea, Prince & Princess, Betsy Akan, Chrix X and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
18. Saturday 17th Dec.
-Canaan Food Fair II:
Venue and Time: TBD
-Jazz & Soul in Paradise with Robin Thicke, Yemi Sax, Kunle Ayo, Moses Philips, Home Acts
Venue: Cultural Centre
Time: 7pm
19. Sunday 18th Dec.
-Finals of Festival Novelty Football Tournament
Venue: Abraham Ordia Stadium, UNICAL
-Finals of Voices of Paradise
-Canaan Praise Night III with Yolanda Adams, Stainless Group UK, Frank Edwards, Pst. Chychy Ayodele, Grace, Jerry, Rasine Brown, Winn, Kasid, Ernest Adat and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
20. Monday 19th Dec.
– Ladies Night Out with Angie Stone, Tiwa Savage, Goldie Harvey, Iban, De Adshas, Gaptuth, Halle, Matinna
and Home Acts
-MC/Comedy by Princess
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
21. Tuesday 20th Dec.
-Laffmatazz II with Gordons, Helen Paul, Daniel De Humourous, Shairman, Youngest Old Man, Boy O Boy/Fine Boy
Mbakara
Music by Duncan Mighty, Julius Agwu, Pastor Goody Goody, Brainstorm and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
22. Wednesday 21st Dec.
-Hyperactive with Tuface, J-Martins, Flavour, Presh, Obiwon,Spydaman, Real Pound and Home Acts.
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
23. Thursday 22nd Dec.
-Calabar Water Carnival
Venue: Tinapa Water Park
Time: 10am
-Governor’s Masked Fete (Theme: OLD SCHOOL)
Kool & The Gang, The Sugar Band, Temitayo and Bassey Ebong
Venue: Marina Waterfront
Time: 7pm
-Calabar Party Night with DJs Mixmaster Brown, Jimmy Jatt and a whole lot of other DJs including Calabar based DJs
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
24. Friday 23rd Dec.
– Youth Development Program ends
Venue: Old Residency, National Museum
Time: 10am
– CARNIVAL CALABAR QUEEN (CCQ) Pageant with Omawumi, Waje and Munachi
Venue: Tinapa
Time: 7pm
25. Saturday 24th Dec.
– Nativity Play & Carol Night
Venue: Millennium Park
Time: 7pm
26. Sunday 25th Dec.
– Carnival Kings & Queens Competition:
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
27. Monday 26th Dec.
-Cultural Parade by Invitation
Venue: Botanical Gardens.
Time: 9am
-Children’s Carnival and Party with Kamsee
Venue: Millenuim Park
Time 2pm
– Kouture Afrika Fashion TV Party
Venue: Millennium Park
Time: 9pm
28. Tuesday 27th Dec.
– CARNIVAL CALABAR
Venue: Millennium Park to terminate at the UJ Esuene Stadium
Time: 9am til the end.
29. Wednesday 28th Dec.
– Calabar Rocks with Rick Ross, P-Square, OJB Jezreel, Ruggedman, Stunt, Calabar Michael Jackson and Julius Agwu (compere) and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
30. Thursday 29th Dec.
– Destiny’s Child Centre Fashion Show featuring Rayvon, Timi Dakolo, Kamsee
Venue: Tinapa
Time: 7pm
31. Friday 30th Dec.
– Naija’s Most Wanted Night with D’banj, Gyptian, Rayvon, D’Prince, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, Kcee, Big Daddy, Jedi De Comedian and Home Acts
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
32. Saturday 31st Dec.
– Cross Over Night with Buchi, Hope Davies and Compassion Band
Venue: U.J Esuene Stadium
Time: 7pm
33. Sunday 1st Jan.
– Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service
Venue: Cultural Centre
Time: 9.00 am
Follow @CalabarFestival for live updates
Visit www.calabarfestival.com for more information.
by 
Very Good and encouraging program on display,but how about update on various local government cultural performances and display usually held at the cultural centre?
Grateful to have an update inforamtion on them.