How Crooked Qz Allegedly Double-crossed Event Series

Late last year, UP Magazine started a cool new performance space, The Upstairs, which began with a Dela performance to celebrate the magazine’s new issue,  a DJ set by Blinky Bill and friends (who turned out to be a Just A Band members) and Suits & Mics with Jemedari and Point Blank. The event series is no more and there is an explanation from the organizers:

We officially say goodbye to The UpStairs on the rooftop of Crooked Q/Havana. Upstairs–gone (for now), but not forgotten.

We dared to dream big–the dream for a new space that married the best of Nairobi creativity with that of its bustling nightlife; a lofted place above the fray; a studio of cool; a place where we could all meet, share a beer and shake our booty. It was very simple. It was called the Upstairs.

For those of you who came to the opening in November will remember a crazy, frantic, crescendo of raw Nairobi energy, let out of the bottle and drumming wildly. You will remember a moving, soulful performance from Della. You’ll remember the after-party of DJ Bo’s delicious beats.

You were all there. There was lot’s of love in the air. You came back the next week and grooved with Blinky Bill and Friends. You jammed your heart out. The vibe was high.

When Suits and Mics came on the following weekend, little did we know it would be our last party at Crooked Cue’s roof top bar. Little did we know the Evil Troll that lurked under that bridge, under our feet, ready to knock down what we had built up with our bear hands, eat all the bread and drink all the wine from the table and generally block our entrance to fun and good times.

We were warned by other well-known producers, such as Muthoni and Blaze, who had worked with this Troll before. It played out just like they said. He took our money and ran. He didn’t want to share in our success, he wanted it all for himself–as Trolls do. Too bad for all involved; it was a happening place, even if for a split second.

Just know, dear loyal fans, ‘Upstairs’ has definitely ‘left the building’. Nothing that goes on at the Crooked Cue roof top is associated or affiliated in ANY way with the Upstairs (or UP Magazine) in either name or spirit.

If you hear of anything going on in that space calling itself the Upstairs, it will be a lie.

So, sadly we have to say goodbye to the Upstairs (at the roof top), for now. We say ‘for now’, because we have not lost our vision for a new space. We are determined to come back. You can’t keep a good thing down. We shall return.

Meanwhile, thank you for all your support and stay tuned for: “The Return of the Upstairs” and of course the return of UP Live in April. See you then.”

About this writer:

Adam Wagwau (Writer)