The Best Live Music

I've read that Dar es Salaam has some of the best live music in East Africa. Dar is quite the musical hub. Here is my first live music adventure outside of my hotel:



While still in Hawaii, a professor I work with at the University of Hawaii connected me with one of her graduate students from Tanzania, Ponsiano. It turns out that Ponsiano is back in Dar es Salaam for the summer to do research. So now I have one friend in Dar es Salaam! yay! Ponsiano and I went to Club Brake Point last night for dinner and music. The club was very open air. We sat right under a tree, which was very nice minus these hard seed like things and bird poop ocassionally raining down on us. I ate steak on a stick with french fries. This is a very local meal. Ponsiano is a great storyteller and has a loud and infectious laugh that seems to penetrate through building walls. Club Brake Point is one of his regular places to hang out. He knew almost all of the staff. Before the music, a man, who was not afiliated with the club, wandered in and danced with fire and a huge snake- boa constrictor? He apparently goes from club to club and performs for tips. There is no doubt, he is a star waiting to be discovered. I just kept trying to imagine a scenario where a man could walk into a U.S. restaurant/club unannounced and play with fire and snakes. I feel like there might be a code or two regarding this. Anyways, I loved him. Then the band kicked in. Guitar, base, bongos, other drums, keyboards, vocalists. They were amazing!! They played mostly local music from Tanzania and surrounding countries. I can't wait to hear more. Also, there are a number of discos which I hear are incredible as well. I will venture soon!