Live Vibe returns… to Rich Mix

Hakeem Onibudo’s Live Vibe night is back for 2012 for two evenings of performances, entertainment and audience interaction at Rich Mix in east London this September and November.

It’s as though the variety show has returned to its roots after the seeds for Live Vibe as we know it kicked off at the Spitz just around the corner which has seen both professional and up-and-coming artists and entertainers challenged by interpretations of different themes and thriving off the audience’s energy.

It’s the winning formula of Live Vibe that saw it receive critical acclaim after its run at the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wells since 2009, taking it to venues Hong Kong in December 2010 and later Zimbabwe in 2011.

“It's easy to have a show that you can curate and have good pieces. People take what they like and leave what they like," explains Hakeem. "Sometimes you can get away with that - when I go to other events and its a mismatch of work, you walk away and one or two things stick in your mind and its a cacophony where the host doesn’t keep it all together."

The theme for the acts this time is words and will include performances from A&R, Delve Dance Company, RWA (Ready Willing and Able) and Hakeem's flagship company, Fully Functioning Individuals, and recently announced, Kenrick Sandy joining Mikey J who is providing the music on the night.

“Why the theme of words? I love fusion, I love poetry, words and art, and for artists to have a theme for their work,” says Hakeem.

Hakeem is also the curator of East London Dance’s Two’s A Company night, and believes the notion of theme will help push the perceptions of how words are interpreted, whether through dance, poetry or music.

“Some of the work is brand new commissions. Everything should have the theme of Live Words, and it challenges me as the compere to have that theme to keep everything together."

Live Vibe Words takes place on 1 September 2012 at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA with another Live Vibe on 10 November.

Tickets for Live Vibe Words can be bought online or by calling the Rich Mix ticket office on 020 7613 7498