Journalists Turned Musicians! Giving Ourselves A Treat!

 By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,

I was having a shower this morning when I began smiling to myself! In fact I had been thinking about the musical show that took place three days ago at Limpala spot in Dakar,Senegal.

The story began sometime in June this year(2012), when a group of journalists (CAMJOSEN) decided to set aside a day in December for a "Karaoké show". In fact I have always thought that beyond the everyday journalistic work; gathering news, writing stories, doing interviews, anchoring the news, producing and presenting programmes to name but these, Journalists or media practitioners as I prefer to call them, actually needed to drop their pens, microphones, voice recorders, cameras, computers and other work material and simply be part of some fun activity that will enable them showcase other talents and why not entertain themselves.So I sold the idea!

  

The idea was quickly bought by the others and we began to work towards this event. First, everyone had to choose two or more songs from their favourite artist. Next we began rehearsing individually! In the months that followed we sought to know how prepared everyone was. Some days we wondered if the event would finally hold, given that some of the journalists became so busy and traveled too often owing to professional reasons. But we kept our fingers crossed. Then we put in place a little committee in-charge of putting in place all the logistics and ensuring the event went on smoothly. As D-day approached we exchanged emails more frequently in a bid to assess the state of preparedness!  Everyone sounded confident!

Helas our wish became a reality when last Sunday night we all took turns to treat ourselves to what I would describe as a beautiful musical show. It was the CAMJOSEN KARAOKE NIGHT for this Christmas!

Far from any journalistic or communication routine, we took to the stage in style doing playbacks, accapella, ballet and more. We  danced to the beats of some Cameroonian rythms like; Makossa, bikutsi, Assiko as well as to some Afro Jazz beats, R and B  and a wide range of others. We were inspired by musicians like Narcisse Pryze, Nguea La Route,  Henri Dikongué, Dina Bell, Marthe Zambo, Sally  Nyollo, Zangalewa, Koko Ateba, Olivier Cheuwa, Petit Pays, Sergeo Polo  Zele le Bombadier, Patience Dabany, Ottis Redding, Don Williams, Kci and JOJO, Shania Twain among others!

We also let the cameras roll so we could capture those moments and
why not share some of it with you!




....and  like a dream so it happened! Merry Christmas Everyone! I trust most of you (Journalists) will be at work even on Christmas day!