The long awaited Second Mass poetry event went down yesterday afternoon at Agora, Milimani and my oh my a time was had!

Anticipation was high in the air as the stage awaited its moment to have poets weave verses in line with the event's theme 'We live. We learn. We grow.'

Blessed Cheruiyot officially began the event by playing a trumpet rendition of the national anthem before the event MCs introduced the first poetic act, Chotara the Poet.

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He was one of my favourite poetic acts captivating every soul within earshot with a catchy refrain that had the audience repeat after him; 'Cool Cool temper.'

Ogoti the boychild performs a spoken word piece at Agora Milimani on November 12, 2023.

Photo credit: DILIGENCE ODONGO/MTAA WANGU

Shortly after, King Filipe took to the stage. Each note he strum on his guitar accompanying his heart melting love song offered a tender caress.

Lucy Empress was the third act presenting a deep piece on the process of growth through learning and unlearning.

The heaviness of her piece was lifted by hype man David that got everyone in the audience, dancing or at least attempting to keep up with his moves.

Immediately after the dance break, Ogoti the Boychild took the baton performing his poetry alongside the band.

His explosive piece on the nation's current state of affairs got every member of the audience constantly snapping their fingers in appreciation.

Jayden the dope bwoy performs a contemporary dance at Agora on November 12, 2023.

Photo credit: DILIGENCE ODONGO/MTAA WANGU

Afterwards, Jayden the Dope Bwoy performed an interpretive dance piece.

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Lookit_Art band provided the musical interlude and the duo filled the stage with electric energy the minute they took to stage.

Look it art band seranade the audience at Agora Milimani on November 12, 2023.

Photo credit: DILIGENCE ODONGO/MTAA WANGU

Their energy was so infectious that it got the audience on its feet moving along to the beat all in time to keep the energy high for the show's main act, Priest the Poet.

His curtain raiser was a young boy depicting a younger version of Priest the Poet sharing his love and appreciation for his mother, shortly before he was engulfed by screams and cheers from excited fans and supporters with his mother by his side.

The second he took to stage, the silence in the auditorium wrapped around his every syllable like a warm embrace as the audience drank in all his poetic pieces.

Being my first Priest the Poet show to attend, I wasn't prepared for the immersive and engulfing nature of his pieces.

My first favourites of his performances was an emotional piece that he dedicated to his late father that deeply moved the audience with a couple of them shedding a tear or two.

Another favourite was a piece performed in his native language, Kikuyu which left many in the audience breaking into dance.

Priest the Poet during his spoken word performance at Agora Milimani on November 12, 2023.

Photo credit: DILIGENCE ODONGO/MTAA WANGU

As the event drew to a close, Priest the Poet expressed his gratitude to his supporters and to Agora which constantly provides a free space for creatives to share their art.

“This event totally exceeded my expectations since all 400 tickets were sold out. I am super grateful to all that showed up to this event and I have so much love for all my supporters,” he said beaming.

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I have to say as a first time poetry show attendee, I was seriously impressed and I absolutely enjoyed the fusion of poetry, dance and music.

diligenceodongo@gmail.com

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