7 things you can STILL do in Freetown in November 2024 😏

Now, now, now!

You didn’t think you could start November without me — did ya?  

Coming to you live this Tuesday morning to bring you all what you love - TOP 7! 

“but Mina, what happened to Top 7 in October?” 

Ah ah, you people won’t greet me first?  

Say hello first. 😈

I’m waiting… 

Hi Freetown and welcome back to another Top 7 things to do in this city of ours…or rather 7 things you can still do this month.

So back to some of you all’s burning question…what did happen to October's very own?

For me to tell you that story, I have to bring you back to September…two months ago. 

September was the September that Septembered the most a September could ever September!

When I SAY September was trying to take me out?

*laughs maniacally* it’s only God. The shege September showed me?

Hmm...

September bin shegerous bobs!

It started off with losing a very dear friend of mine, followed by unexplained flight cancellations to Dakar, Senegal by Air Peut-être officially known to the public as “Air Senegal” and then on my personal laptop, a partial side of my screen went dark. 

My enemies succeeded in September, like they really ate and I loved that for them — but obviously hated that for me. 

And as I worked to navigate my sense of loss and grief, I took October to experience the good things in life surrounded by community (offline and online) and decided to take November to finally have the courage to write about it. 

I finally did get to Senegal (I had to go all the way to ETHIOPIA!) but I got there and had a ball. I was last in Senegal 2 years ago, but I hadn’t visited Dakar depuis j’étais petite (since I was a child) and it felt right to be there when I did. 

I got to visit Gorée Island

Ate thiep - la vraie jollof (which I talk more about in my 2022 Jollof post) with strangers turned friends who took me in

I enjoyed soft life at Radisson Blu Sea Plaza

Upon my return last month I attended any creative event I could possibly and humanly attend and that helped to reenergize my tired achy soul such as:

and

September was a rough one, but I hear it was for many people. And as I grieved and went through the stages of grief I held space for others as they did for and heard of many sad, heart wrenching stories. 

One I am writing is currently entitled Grief and I’ll share more on that later. Until then...

Happy Tuesday y'all and happy NOvember! 

[Digital] streets are saying this is the month that we vocalize saying NO more to things, situations and/or people who do not serve us - after all the Nigerians did dub this year nor gree for anybody - and NOvember seems apt.

Well, ah know say una dae gree fo mi, just lek how mi sef dae gree fo una...and with that here are 7 things you can still do in Freetown this November...

The festive season is fast approaching and Aurora is ahead of the curve! Shop for yourself and others at the Aurora House Pop-Up Market (at their new location!) from beloved vendors and businesses such as Orkosu Tea, Indulge Juice, Jeneba Osho Pratt Catering and more on:

Date: Thursday, November 21 - Saturday, November 23 2024

Time: 4:00 - 7:00pm (Thursday & Friday)

10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Saturday)

Venue: Aurora House, 45 Fraser Street, Pipeline Road off Wilkinson Road.

The Rotary Club of Freetown-Sunset is hosting its annual BBQ fundraiser this Friday! If you like ros ros, camaraderie and events with fun dress themes - then Friday at Rotary may just be for you! Proceeds from the fundraiser will be going towards the construction of public toilets for community members at River No. 2. Grab your cowboy/cowgirl hat, bronx jeans, boots and/or bandana and join the fun on:

Date: Friday, November 22 2024

Time: 7:00pm

Venue: Freetown Golf Club, Lumley Beach Road

Fee: nLe 700 for individuals

nLe 1500 for corporate

There'll be prizes given to the best dressed male and female attendees!

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Friday with my cowgirl hat🤠and maybe I'll see some of you there 😉

Rotary is good

*this is a sponsored post

Ahh...a festival after the hearts of cinephiles across the city!

The European Film Festival organized by the European Union (EU) in Sierra Leone has a cinema weekend packed for Freetownians showcasing films that celebrate women's voices by filmmakers from Sierra Leone, Morocco, Kenya, The Netherlands, Denmark and France to name a few. Be a part of this unique experience on:

Date: Friday, November 22 - Saturday, November 24 2024

Time: Check out European Film Festival schedule (available on Facebook)

Venue: Freetown City Council (4th Floor), Wallace Johnson Street

FREE ENTRY

Mina Meetups goes hybrid!

The Creative Mixer series, launched in July 2024 is a space for creatives, artists, activists, innovators, curators and enthusiasts to meet, network and exchange ideas with panellists who are experts or leads in their fields. This month, the theme is exploring the roles storytellers play in promoting tourism and national development. The last event was an in person event only and this time we are opening it up to viewers online!

This is the last event of the year Mina Meetups is curating here in Freetown and I am excited to interview Rebecca Jawara, travel content creator who has done multiple curated groups trips across Africa and Radwan Skeiky, visual storyteller who was accredited as the official photographer by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in February 2024. To be a part of the last Mina Meetups event of the year:

Date: Wednesday, November 27 2024

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Venue: Creative Hub Africa, 41 A/B Freetown Road (opposite Lumley Police station on Spur Road)

Fee: nLe 250 (early bird, before November 21)

nLe 300 (regular, after November 22)

$10/£10 (virtual attendees)

To RSVP: Creative Mixer Vol. 2 Form

I look forward to seeing some of you there!

The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts is an academy that needs no introduction in Freetown and perhaps to a large extent Sierra Leone.

Written and directed by household name Dr. Julius Spencer, Gbongbo Soro is a musical drama and social satire exploring themes of sexual harassment, poverty and politics in Sierra Leone. To be a part of this performing arts experience, check them out on:

Date: Friday, November 29 - Sunday, December 1 2024

Time: 7:00 pm prompt

Venue: Logie Wright Auditorium, 27 Liverpool Street (Ballanta Academy)

Fee: nLe 200 - Regular

nLe 500 - VIP

Looking for an evening to listen to some of Freetown's upcoming and established artists and creatives? If so, check out Open Mic Night by Creative Hub Africa on:

Date: Friday, November 29 2024

Time: 7:30 - 11:30 pm

Venue: Creative Hub Africa, 41 A/B Freetown Road (opposite Lumley Police Station on Spur Road)

Entrance Fee: nLe 50

*this is a collaboration post*

''Enjoy live music by talented local musicians while taking in the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean''

- Hotel Barmoi

Hotel Barmoi debuts its local live music sessions on Fridays on their terrace! To revel in Friday moments with Hotel Barmoi:

Date: every Friday

Time: 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Venue: Hotel Barmoi, 75C Cape Road, Aberdeen

For inquiries, contact: +232 30 96 00 16 and +232 76 91 87 71

and that's it folks!

Thank you to all those who checked up on me during my noticeable digital absence, it's nice to know I'm regarded more than the just the 'Top 7 blogger' who fills up your social calendars haha.

Enjoy the rest of NOvember

Till next time

Yours truly,

Mina.

xx

With the holidays around the corner, are you looking to receive money abroad fo swit yu Disemba? 😜

For swift and hassle-free remittance, why not consider P&S Remit. They're based in upper Allen Town in the eastend of Freetown. Their services include remittance payouts and mobile money services.

Contact +232 77 790 399 or

+232 31 790 399 and receive your money with ease which also includes cash delivery upon request.

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