JIJUE Concerts Energize Campaign for 1 Million to Know their HIV Status
The lights dimmed in the Mavuno Dome after an red-hot performance by Eric Wainaina. The back to back stage acts had been rocking well, with video clips and messages on the screens. From Pete Odera to Atemi to Kanjii - from DJ Dee on the deck and the Xtzee dancers pulling a great dance act, the room was at a frenzy as Eric left the stage.
There was an electric buzz in the air as the Grammy Award-winning rockers Jars of Clay took the stage.
-- They opened with 'FLOOD' -- beats and notes building on each other and at once, the place was alive. Everyone was dancing and cheering. And as each song was played and each performer played the energy level grew, everyone left their seat and scrambled to the stage shouting “Revelation!” “Dead man, work!”!
Many knew the lyrics and those that didn't quickly tried to learn them and sang along. When it came time to sing the JIJUE theme song, the crowd wouldn't leave even after the performers took their final bows. And as concert-goers finally left for home, they were singing the theme song's chorus “Niko sure, najijua...I am confident of myself...”
Music is indeed a universal language and it is our hope that the notes, the lyrics and the energy built over this weekend will be translated into action...men and women taking bold, confident steps toward HIV testing, prevention and treatment -- for an AIDS Free Africa.
So the movement toward 1 million continues, re-energized by a weekend of music by passionate, gifted musicians. These artists weren't content to merely lament the AIDS crisis on the sidelines but they gave us all a memorable night of singing and dancing; using the platform music gives them to dream of a different future for Africa -- helping save lives.
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