March 2019 ADDIS ABABA

17
Closeup:
An interview with
the rising star DJ
Armageddon, the
one striving to plant
African Electronic
music to the Ethiopian
music scene

EatUp: Shifta
A place where a curious mind
gets its sure hit, with healthy
and affordable dining
Page 14

What’sUp:
A review of Gast
Entertainment- the new
pioneering, unusual
entertainment hub at an
unusual place
Page 21
04 05 08
Editor’s Letter
Headsup Thumbsup
March Events
Calendar

09 14
12
Followup
Event Review
Design Week
Eatup
Addis Ababa
Restaurant Review
Catchup Shifta
International Event
Afrochella Festival

17 21
Closeup
Interview With
DJ Armageddon 24 Reelup
Cinema Review
What’sup
Gast Entertainmall
Mall
 Here is March, already! The year is truly living up to its promise to the event organizing industry. As short as 2
months seem we have seen a lot. We have already seen Collie Budzz and ROPHNAN on stage, we’ve just had Taste
of Addis, we’ve seen the Zodiac Series launch and bloom, we’ve had Zoya Electronic Music series gaining a wide
acclaim, we had the AU conference, we had the week-long Design Week Addis Ababa, and so many more, and it has
only been 2 months since the year started.

With thousands of aspiring young people joining the event organizing industry, and technology leading the way
we are observing a new wave of energy and imagination. Right down the road, we are having the first ever major
cell-phone photography exhibition, an event that wouldn’t have been imagined just a few months ago. LinkUp
Addis would like to thank all individuals, companies and organizations who take event organizers’ aspirations
seriously to support them in multiple ways.

Eyob Workineh
Editor-in-Chief

Editor in chief: Cover photo by: Dennis

Eyob Workineh Kimutai
eyob@linkupaddis.com

Marketing Director:
Eyasu Abdella
eyasu@linkupaddis.com

Project and Social Media

Manager:
Fikreab Dagne
fikrabdagne@gmail.com

Creative Director:
Benny Yoseph
benny@linkupaddis.com

4 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019


• The Ethiopian Sound System Festival 2019
VillaVerde, 08:00pm
• African Electronic
Pallets Bar & Restaurant , 09:00pm
01-16 MARCH2019
• COLOR FEST ADDIS • Khul Community Wellness Day • Backpack Ethiopia Destination:
Yaya Africa Athletics Village, 12:00am Khul Holistic Development Center, 09:00am Danakil Depression
March, 4-9
• The Ethiopian Sound System Festival 2019 • Korenti Electronic Music Festival
VillaVerde, 08:00pm Bishoftu (Second day) • The Talked about Game Night ‘Quizzards
Ramada Addis Hotel, 08:30pm
• Korenti Electronic Music Festival
(March 2&3)
Bishoftu, 08:00pm

• ADDIS MUSIC COLLECTIVE

Monarch Hotel, 08:00pm

1 2 3 4
• Opening of “Women of the world”, a photo
exhibition by Sarah Hocquet
Alliance Francaise, 06:30pm

• Tribes N Vibes
Esco Bar & Restaurant, 09:00pm

5 6
• Zoya party 0.3 ( electronic music) • UN 2019 Women First 5k Run
Greek Club, 10:00pm Registration fee: 200 birr
Registration: Great Ethiopian Run office
Bole, 07:30am
7 8
• Finnovation Ethiopia
Radisson Blu Hotel, 08:00pm
• The Talked about Game Night ‘Quizzards
Ramada Addis Hotel, 08:30pm

9 10 11 12
• Cellphone Photography Exhibition '01 • Cellphone Photography Exhibition '01
Vamdas Entertainment, 09:00am Vamdas Entertainment, 09:00am

• Oulala! feat. Concert of desert rock band

Imarhan (from Algeria)
Alliance Ethio-Française, 10:00am

• Zodiac Series: Aquarius: Pisces

Face Of Addisa, 02:00pm

13 14 15 16
Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019 I 5

• Cellphone Photography Exhibition '01
Vamdas Entertainment, 09:00am
17
• Buildexpo Ethiopia (Buildexpo Africa)
Millennium Hall, 09:30am
• “Gout de France”
French meal by French chef Gilles Stassart
Alliance Francaise, 07:00pm
21
• The Talked about Game Night ‘Quizzards
Ramada Addis Hotel, 08:30pm
25
29
6 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019
17-31 MARCH2019
• Film screening “Timbuktu”
Alliance Francaise, 06:30pm
• The Talked about Game Night ‘Quizzards
Ramada Addis Hotel, 08:30pm
18
• Buildexpo Ethiopia (Buildexpo Africa)
Millennium Hall, 09:30am
• "Ethiopiyawi meets Grime"
feat. Ethiopian Records’ Azmari
Synthesis (ETH), and other artists
Alliance Francaise, 07:00pm
22
26
30
• Screening film “La prochaine fois, • “Books & Bubbles"
je viserai le coeur” (Eng subs) Alliance Francaise, 07:00pm
Alliance Francaise, 06:30pm
19 20
• Buildexpo Ethiopia (Buildexpo Africa)
Millennium Hall, 09:30am
23 24
• Sonic BBQ#2: a digital live conversation
between bodies, drums and a BBQ
Alliance Ethio Francaise, 08:00pm
27 28
31
Thumbsup
Eyasu A. Ashenafi
Beauty and Spa
Name: Oasis Salon and Spa
Owned by a Canadian-Ethiopian
beauty expert who used to run a
similar business in Canada, Oasis
blends excellent massage, manicure/
pedicure and haircut services, with a
thrilling service quality and customer
service. It is also one of the very few
places you can use a credit card. I was
impressed they made it work.
Website: oasisaddis.com
Facebook: /Oasis-Salon-SPA
Location: The first floor of the former
Oh Canada bar
Tel: +215(0) 92 378 5643
On Google maps? Yes
Co-Working Community
Name: Blue space
BlueSpace offers a premier workspace
experience, whether you need a pass
for a day, a dedicated desk for your
business, or an office suite for your
entire company.
They provide furnished and fully
serviced workspaces with flexible
options along with meeting rooms and
event spaces, and lifestyle amenities.
The workspace includes an onsite
café and fruit-infused water, super-fast
internet, free specialty coffee.
Furnished workspaces, private phone
booths, meeting rooms, courier, video
conferencing, airport pickup, printer-
copier, and legal and translation
services.
For a greater convenience of their
customers, they offer services like daily
jebena coffee, mini-gym and shower,
massage-at-desk, food delivery, get-a-
RIDE, happy hour, yoga, and more.
website: bluespace.work
Facebook: /blueSpaceEth
Tel: +215(0) 91 187 3830
Location: Bole Grace Plaza, 4th floor
On Google maps? Yes
8 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019
Food and Entertainment
Name: Greek Club
The Greek Club is a fantastic place to
try authentic Greek salad. They serve
a yummy Nile Perch Grill and Souvlaki
with a great variety of pizza. While the
interior is a bit old, it is well-maintained.
The yard itself offers a relaxed vibe
with a wide parking space and a
backyard garden with an airy pleasant
atmosphere. The Greek Club terrace is
where the monthly electronic music
themed party, Zoya, takes place with
a great selection of artists and fresh
tunes.
Website:
hellenicgreekcommunityaddis.com
Facebook: /Olympgreekclub
Tel: + 251 (0) 11 553 0485
Location: On the way from Bambis to
Dembel, right next to the Greek School
On Google maps? Yes
Adventure Flight
Name: Abyssinia Ballooning
If you are aiming for an unforgettable
entertainment experience with your
loved one, friends or colleagues, you
should try a flight above Addis’s skies,
with Abyssinia Hot Air Ballooning.
The hot air balloon experience has
a certain extend of positive tension
and excitement, with the power to
take you on an incredible emotional
journey. The approximately 1-hour
balloon experience includes full
breakfast after the flight, a professional
and enthusiastic guidance, traditional
champagne ceremony after the flight,
full passenger insurance, qualified and
licensed pilots, Refreshment during the
balloon flight.
Website: abyssiniaballooning.com
Facebook: /
AbyssininaBallooningEthiopia
Tel: +251 (0) 92 684 5086
Location: Close to UK Embassy, in the
street of Louvre Hotel
On Google maps? No
FollowUp
Kidus Assefa
F or most people unfamiliar with
Design Week Addis Ababa, it
might sound like an event with a fancy
exclusive air to it that is accessible and
open only to a select few. To be perfectly
honest I thought so too at first and even
wondered why such an event would
be widely promoted as it was. But don’t
let the name mislead you; it is in fact an
occasion always awaiting a diverse and
open-minded crowd ready to welcome
everyone with open arms.
Hoping for the best I just decided
to go check it out, and doing so paid off
immensely in the end. Started back in 2015
and hosted for the 3rd time recently, Design
Week Addis Ababa has been bringing all
types of creative minds from many parts
of the country & the world in a week jam-
packed with exciting events fit for a broad
audience. The bi-annual event bridges the
gaps between different disciplines, sectors
& cultures by using design as a convenient
medium and provides a lot of people with
countless opportunities while giving the
people who attended it a new perspective.
In case you are still wondering what
exactly comprises of Design week, then
you would be amazed to know that its
span reaches wide and includes seemingly
unrelated areas such as Technology,
Industrial Design & Interiors, Fashion
& Textiles, Art & Multimedia, Visual
Communication, Food & Gastronomy, and
Architecture & Urban Planning. Although
food & gastronomy wasn’t an area given
much attention to in this year’s edition,
technology certainly did captivate the
public. With an array of technological
advancements (ranging from gamification
to electric ‘Masinko’s and even augmented
reality maps) it sure was a glimmer of hope
"a week jam-packed
with exciting events
fit for a broad
for the future of the design landscape in audience.”
Ethiopia.
This year’s Design Week consisted
of a series of events that took place at
different convenient locations and gave
most attendees memorable experiences
to look back at. From string artists to
software developers, from interior
designers to entrepreneurs; the exhibitors
were showcasing their designs (concepts,
prototypes & fully developed products
included) while of course interacting
and connecting with various attendees.
There were works presented by people
from many countries (such as Zimbabwe,
France, Italy, Finland, Great Britain and "There were works
so on) sharing the spotlight with local presented by
presenters. Something that stood out for people from many
most people, however, is the abundance of countries (such as
young talent full of passion and dedication. Zimbabwe, France,
It is quite remarkable how many Italy, Finland, Great
entrepreneurs, artists and designers were Britain and so on)”
present, giving the event a fresh breeze of
innovation & energy. I managed to network
and meet a lot of interesting people that
simply blew my mind and reminded me
of the need for such platforms as Design
Week.
Complemented by the good food,
Photo: facebook.com/Designweekaa
drinks & live DJ music giving it a certain
ambiance & festive atmosphere, plus the
increased exposure & awareness created
among the general public - proving its
growing presence and influence in the
design & creations realm of the city - it can
certainly be said that Design Week Addis
Ababa is here to stay for years to come.
Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019 I 9
 "
Exhibits at DWAA
include these intricate
string images and
installation by

"
Alemayehu Bekele
Photo : Twitter_@designweek_aa

Photo: www..lomography.com

10 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019

 CatchUp

Not just about the music

Source: http://read.tidal.com

A bdul Karim Abdullah and Kenny rich arts of the African continent to new
Agyapong have a knack for throwing audiences. However, bringing Africa to
parties. In college, it was their hobby; America wasn’t quite in the cards.
“We want to
encourage other
people that have
the then Sigma fraternity The initial idea was to such talents to be
brothers charged $1 per head hold Afrochella at New York’s able to come back
or offered free Moet bottles
“There’s a big Randall’s Island. Still, according and create spaces
to get people through their light on Africa… to Abdullah, the permitting and like us.”
dorm room doors. After Our fashion, our production cost alone were
college, it became their part- food and music.” too overwhelming. With their
time hustle: hosting events access to resources in Ghana
around New York City’s — media and governmental
boroughs and bringing people together support — Abdullah and Agyapong
through music. Eventually, their vision decided to put on the festival there instead.
outgrew party throwing and evolved into They would be able to execute the festival
the cultural experience now known as at a fraction of the initial cost — plus start
Ghana’s Afrochella Festival. bringing visitors worldwide to Ghana.
In 2017, Afrochella came to life for the
Abdullah and Agyapong dreamt up first time. The one-day festival took place in
Afrochella when they were living in the Ghana’s capital of Accra at the prestigious
Bronx. Both of Ghanaian descent, the duo Polo Courts and hosted a crowd of 4,500.
noticed a lack of representation of African “We wanted a space where we could
arts and culture at the major U.S. festivals celebrate our own culture,” Abdullah says,
and events. They spent time living in “and teach [it] from a native’s perspective
Ghana at different points in their lives; through arts, music, culture and food.”
Abdullah lived there for seven years as From the late Ebony Reigns to Kwesi
a child and Agyapong moved there five Arthur, King Promise and B4bonah,
years ago as an adult. For the business Afrochella’s first year boasted top
partners, it was important to expose the musicians and rising acts from across
Photo: Twitter_@Afrochella_GH

12 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019


Africa, as well as visual artists. “Afrochella is
holistic,” Agyapong says. “It’s not only about
the music; it’s about how everything comes
together to make our music pop.”
The success of Afrochella’s first year
gave Abdullah and Agyapong fuel to take
the second year to the next level. With
the help of A-list headliners like Ghanaian
dancehall/afrobeats artist Stonebwoy and
national icon Daddy Lumba, the business
partners were able to double the event’s
attendees. Drawing a crowd of 12,000, the
festival moved to a stadium venue and
opened its doors to visitors from Australia,
Switzerland, Japan, China and beyond.
What’s more, they prefaced the festival
with a pop-up performance from Ms.
Lauryn Hill. “She loves Africa, and she’s
been to Ghana several times,” Agyapong
says.
As Afrochella’s reach expands,
Abdullah and Agyapong plan to make
Photo: Twitter_@Afrochella_GH
government and the ministry of tourism
are encouraging people worldwide to come
back to Ghana this year as a birthright
journey. “I think that there’s a big light on
Africa…Our fashion, our food and music. It is
just popular culture right now, and people
are pursuing it,” Abdullah says. “We’re
looking to accelerate that.”
From college partiers to cultural
ambassadors, Abdullah and Agyapong
have always brought purpose and a sense
of community to their trade. “We know that
we’ve played a very vital role in getting
more people to come back to Ghana,”
Abdullah says. “We want to encourage
us.”
"
other people that have such talents to be
able to come back and create spaces like

the festival a vital part of Ghana’s future.

Partnering with the Ghanaian ministry of
tourism, the duo aim to bring people from Drawing a crowd of 12,000, the
around the world not only to the country, festival moved to a stadium
but also to the continent at large.
“We always say Africa is the new venue and opened its doors
sexy,” Aygapong says. “Our goal is to foster to visitors from Australia,
relationships through influencers and
Switzerland, Japan, China and

"
people from the diaspora that are doing
amazing things through their respective beyond.
countries and fields.”
This year in particular is crucial for
Afrochella. 2019, dubbed The Year of the
Return by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-
Addo, marks the 400th year since the first
slave ship left West Africa. The Ghanaian

Afrochella
2018

Linkup Addis Ababa March 2019 I 13

 EatUp
Shifta
Ephratha Kibru
W hen considering naming a business
venture, a lot of people would
normally stay away from the word
“Shifta”- a term used all over East Africa to
signify bandits or outlaws. But it can also
indicate progressiveness and originality,
someone who doesn’t conform to society’s
quintessential norms or values, choosing
instead to create her own path. And that is
exactly what Shifta does.
Through its contemporary, urban
design, Shifta embodies the spirit of
modern art while maintaining a retro feel
in a way no other place does. Colorful
walls and a vinyl embellished floor draw
curious eyes to the tiny joint and the smell
of freshly cooked food pique the interest
of hungry customers. From jerk chicken
sandwiches to red pea stew, Shifta is
spearheading the addition of Caribbean
cuisine in Addis and their variable menu
makes sure to get you to try something
new.
“Healing through Food” is the phrase
Feben Kassaye and Maranata Tegegne,
" But the star of the dish
was the jerk sauce."
The BBQ Jerk Chicken
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta (Ras Studio)
14 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019
the owners of Shifta, chose for their place’s
motto and it is quite evident why. It’s
clear from each meal that almost every
Location:
Bole, Behind Sheger
building around Edna
ingredient is fresh from the local market Mall
(with the exceptions of a few spices and
sauces that aren’t locally available). And Service /label:
with fasting season soon approaching, Restaurant
Shifta’s extensive vegan options are quite
heartening. Opening Hours:
During my stay, I had 4 different dishes Tuesday- Sunday
along with 3 of their signature juices. They 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
all had impeccable presentation and
looked quite appetizing. My first encounter Facebook:
was with the Red Pea Stew, a vegan dish /shiftafoodboutique
hailing from Jamaica. The well-cooked rice
heavily complimented the creamy beans Instagram:
and I couldn’t help devouring it. @shiftafoods
The Trinidadian Veggie Roti Curry
was similarly vegan but the lentil based Phone Number:
curry was characteristically rolled up in + 251 91 186 6686
the Caribbean flat bread, Roti. The soft
texture of the dish just rolled on my tongue
and I eagerly welcomed the fantastic
stimulation. I thoroughly enjoyed the spicy
and piquant flavor of the meal.
Next up were two variations of the
 Photo by: Abenezer Geleta (Ras Studio)
traditional Jamaican Jerk Chicken. One not yet what I want it to be but we couldn’t
was in BBQ form while the other was a have had a better start. We’re building
sandwich. The BBQ Jerk Chicken was ourselves up, expanding Shifta, and that’s
crunchy and smoky while the marinade what matters.”
the chicken was grilled with added a sweet Feben’s experience as an interior
and savory dynamic to the palate. The designer also saw her taking the steering
pineapples on the side helped nurse my wheel when it came to Shifta’s aesthetic.
sweet tooth while the potatoes played a “I just really love color and old stuff
good sidekick to the chicken. But the star conventionally considered useless, there’s
of the dish was the jerk sauce. Made from so much you can do with them,” She
jalapenos, thyme, honey, and a lot more comments on the exceptional design.
colorful ingredients, it added flair and With healthy and affordable dining
drama to the dish. experience, Shifta is a sure hit for anyone
The sandwich, though not as filled with with a curious palate.
flavor as the BBQ, was a wonder on its own.
The chicken was soft and delicate while the
bread was satisfyingly crunchy. It tasted
"the perfect drink for
amazingly fresh and the side sauce it came
hangovers "
with always kept the dish interesting.
The juices soon came and I talked a
bit with Feben and Maranata about Shifta
while I sipped on the unique ‘meals in a
bottle’.
The Love Beets Juice, a creation of
watermelon, beetroot, carrot, among a
bunch of other ingredients is the perfect
drink for hangovers; the fresh, sweet, taste
was very fulfilling. On the other hand the
Roots Juice wasn’t really sweet at all. It was
made from the likes of celery, cucumber,
lemon, and spinach. Yet it had it’s own
unique appeal. Every sip was a reenergizer-
it is the perfect thing to start your day
with. Both the juices were amazing but my
favorite by far was the Lemon Birz. A honey
centered drink, it was inevitably sweet
but the mint and lemons gave the drink
a sort of fizz that satisfied me to no end. It
was quite unlike any other ‘Birz’ I have had
before.
Feben and Maranata opened their cozy
little joint around 4 weeks ago. The place
was once a women's hair salon and within
a few months it was completely renovated
to the place we now know as Shifta. “It’s
always been a dream of mine to start a co-
op centered on food, clothes, and natural
products like deodorants or soap,” says
Feben, “I show my love through cooking.”
And when you add in the fact that she was
once an herbalist, it’s easy to see how she
envisioned her interests lined up.
Her continued interest to give back
to the community plays a big role in her
efforts and it is evident even now, only a
month after opening. She’s already planting
the seeds for a fully functioning co-op by
showcasing a few bags by one friend for
sale and some baked goods for another -
with no profit motive. “I had always wanted "Shifta embodies the spirit of modern
to work for a non-profit organization but art while maintaining a retro feel in a
things don’t always go your way in a way no other place does"
bureaucracy so I thought, ‘Why not start
my own non-profit?’” she says laughing. “It’s
Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019 I 15
 CloseUp
Armagheddion
Selam Tarekegn
G eddion Bihonegn, stage name
Armaghedion, is a DJs pushing and
exploring the Afro-Electronic movement
in Addis. LinkUp’s Eyob Workineh spoke
to Armagheddion to learn more about his
skyrocketting music career.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 26, I grew up all over Africa. I have too
many interests and not enough time.
How do you define your profession/
career?
I’m a DJ so my job is to make people dance.
If I can show people a new sound and new
music then thats a bonus. Its simple and I’m
incredibly lucky to have a chance to do it.
What motivates you as an artist?
I’m constantly pushing myself to be
better, technically and creatively. To push
boundaries and continue to influence
change. I don’t compare myself with other
people as I only compete with myself.
Who do you look up to?
In Ethiopia, Ethiopian Records and
Mikael Seifu are giants. They have
managed to craft an entire genre from
nothing, just absolute genius. Regionally,
I’m also closely following what they are
doing in Kenya - the Kenya Nights and
Gondwana KE rosters are full of super
talented DJs and producers. To name a
few, my idols are Black Coffee, Shimza, and
DJEFF - all insanely talented producers
and technically flawless DJs. If you don’t
listen to them, stop what you are doing
immediately and go check them out!.
What is your style as an artist?
I’m an Afro Electronic DJ. I play everything “I genuinely also
from Afro House and Afro Techno to old think this sound is
African music from all over the continent. the most interesting
I love the product of African soundscapes, thing happening in
vocals, melodies and percussion against Electronic music
the backdrop of House and Techno beats right now. ”
and rhythms.
You’ve been credited with pioneering and
spearheading the afro house sound in
Ethiopia. Was this on purpose?
Absolutely, yes. I felt kind of a shallow joy at
playing Eurocentric Electronic music, and
felt it was my responsibility because of this
platform that I have been given to explore
and showcase sounds and artists from the
continent and the global south who don’t
get enough airtime. I’m on a mission to
decolonize dance music as the rest of the
world has so much more to offer. Also its
just strange to me as an African, to go out
in Africa and hear everything but African
music. I genuinely also think this sound is
Photo by Aron Simeneh
Linkup Addis Ababa March 2019 I 17
the most interesting thing happening in
Electronic music right now.
Who/which audience does your genre
appeal more to?
Anybody that likes African music and
Electronic music. Any one that has an open
mind and likes to dance. Its hard for me
to gauge and its always a nice surprise to
see people react to your music who you
wouldn’t expect it from. I’ve been surprised
by some of the older guests at some of my
events or the little kids busting out dance
moves like you wouldn’t believe at festivals
during the day.
You are one of the most acclaimed
nightlife performers in town. How do
you observe the difference between
performing in nightclubs and at other
events you perform in?
Hahaha thank you! I’m not the biggest fan
of performing at nightclubs anymore to
be honest with you. I’ve come to realize its
a very predictable and one dimensional
approach that people want with music in
those settings, and let me be clear, there
is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I
just have no interest in playing music that
everyone already knows and people have
heard millions of times.
What are the challenges for a performing
artist/DJ to function?
Staying relevant, fresh and at the same time
providing something that people can relate
to.
What is Armaghedion's ultimate career
ambition?
I want to leave an imprint on the music
scene here. I would love if mature and
complex African Electronic music was
more ubiquitous. That I could go out on any
given night and hear something fresh and
new; to hear the generation after me come
into their own and push the boundaries
even further.
We know you perform a lot at several
nightlife events. Which ones stand out for
you?
My favorite events that I have played
have been the Nomad events. Every
18 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019
artistic element was carefully curated, “By working
the aesthetic, visuals and music was together, pushing
painstakingly reviewed to provide a each other,
holistic and unique party experience. inspiring each other,
I’ve also really enjoyed the UnUsual DJ critiquing each other
events. The energy that those crowds we improve the
bring is unrivaled in Addis. But for me the quality of not only
stand out event has been Bira Biro - the ourselves but all the
level of production, the lights, the sound arts in Ethiopia.”
and that stage! It completely redefined the
boundaries and pushed what we thought
was possible in Ethiopia. Big shout out to
Korenti as well, that event launched who I
was as an artist, and as the only multi day
electronic music festival in Ethiopia its a
lynchpin in the electronic music circuit.
Do you think this is the right time for
artists like you to shine? Why?
Ethiopia is opening up, and you have to “You can never
credit artists like Rophnan and Chelina achieve anything
for making new sounds palatable and without someone
accessible for a local market. You can else going before
never achieve anything without someone you and making an
else going before you and making an impression”
impression, so I’m grateful for all the
groundwork thats been done and I’m also
very much looking forward to hearing the
next generation of musicians and artists.
Do you have any ongoing projects?
I have a couple of things in the pipeline, but
for whats out now - there is my monthly
party at Escobar, Tribes n Vibes. As well as
Nomad events. Both of these are centered
around Afro House and Afro Techno. I also
hope to have my debut EP out by the end of
this year.
How can your fans follow you and keep up
with you?
You can follow me on instagram for events
giddy.jpg and mixcloud if you want to hear
my sound. https://www.mixcloud.com/
armaghedion/
Do you have any final messages?
I just want to call on all Ethiopian creatives
to collaborate more, we’re only as strong as
our support systems. By working together,
pushing each other, inspiring each other,
critiquing each other we improve the
quality of not only ourselves but all the arts
in Ethiopia.
"
[I want] to push
boundaries
and continue
to influence

"
change.

Photo by Abdi Bekele

Linkup Addis Ababa March 2019 I 19

What'sUp
Gast Mall
Surafel Solomon
G ast Mall recently opened around
CMC and it’s the first of its kind
in Addis in many ways but especially
because it’s the first mall fully dedicated to
entertainment. An ice cream shop, cafés
and other businesses occupy the lobby
but everything from the first floor up is
entirely entertainment.
Going up the farthest right staircase, the
first floor is occupied by a sprawling gym
equipped with the latest weight machines,
treadmills and anything else a state of
the art gym requires. They even have a
dedicated group cycling room. Salons and
spas occupy the top two floors – men on
the seventh and women on the sixth floor.
On the second floor we have a kids
play ground and a mirror maze. The kids’
playground is wide and fully supervised,
taking up a three-story space. The mirror
maze, depending on your degree of being
spooked and thrilled, falls between mildly
interesting or a nail biting experience.
Up next is a food court followed
by two floors of arcade games
with something I haven’t seen
anywhere else – a 7200
flight simulator.
Next is a room full
of huge flat screen
TV’s and
playstation4 consoles packed with the
latest games.
The fourth floor is the main attraction,
Location:
CMC around St.
Michael church
with escape rooms that feature five
different scenarios you have to solve your Service /label:
way out of. With stories ranging from being Entertainment /Mall
trapped in a public toilet to the pharaohs
curse, you problem solving skills will be Opening Hours:
tested. Gym
On the upper floors are four movie 05:00 AM - 10:00 PM
cinemas, one of which has a VIP section at Games
the back, and two exclusively VIP cinemas 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
accessed through the trendy lounge bar.
The VIP cinemas seat no more than fifteen Facebook:
people at a time, boasting temperature /GastEntertainmall
adjustable reclining seats and the option
of ordering anything while watching the Phone Number:
movie. That’s right, a waiter will come take + 251 93 011 3377/99/99
your order and serve you in the cinema.
Gast Mall is also in the process of
opening a mini casino that will have tables
modeled after Las Vegas, Monaco and
Macau style tables as well as an electronic
roulette table.
Up next is the Ethio Ninja Warrior
– a three-stage, timed obstacle course.
Mirroring the Ethio Ninja Warrior course
is the indoor climbing area. With ample
choice of towers differing in difficulty, the
one I loved, purely for chauvinistic reasons,
was the Axum obelisk shaped 10-meter
tower.
And at long last, we find the laser tag
arena. Now, this is a lot of fun for everyone
but if you are like me, a child stuck in an
adult’s body, you will go bonkers. With the
option of teaming up or going at it solo, this
game is best played in groups, the larger the
better. The arena has two floors and is wide
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta (Ras Studio)
enough to handle a lot of people. Be warned
– all the crouching and getting up to shoot
will take a toll on your legs. The game is
reminiscent of what we used to play as
kids with makeshift guns after watching a
Van Damme movie. Even though I lost the
game, I went out with a BANG!
Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019 I 21
 it’s the first of its
kind in Addis in
many ways but
especially because
it’s the first mall
fully dedicated to

"
entertainment.
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta (Ras Studio)

22 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019

ReelUp

Kidus Tamiru
Cinema
Weto Ader
Directed By: Anteneh Haile
Runtime: 96 min
Starring: Tariku Birhanu, Mahlet Haile

Weto Ader is a comedy film about Addis, a struggling actor who ends up with a
police uniform and all the mischief that follows as he impersonates a cop. This film
is Let's Be Cops meets The Disaster Artist without the charm or humor of either. At
least on The Disaster Artist, the main character sticks to his goal of making it as an
artist, which this film abandons entirely halfway through. In Let's Be Cops, the main
characters engage in mostly harmless, benevolent pranks throughout, whereas on
this film, the character turns villainous pretty quickly. And that's the main issue with
this film. I've seen so many Ethiopian films with unlikable protagonists, but this one
definitely takes the cake. The character is so unlikable and unrelatable (he actually
directly causes the death and rape of a few characters, all the while cracking jokes)
that nobody in the cinema even chuckled. You won't like Addis from the start and
you'll like him a good deal less as the story progresses. Don't waste your time and
money on this.

3/10

Yisehaq
Directed By: Abraham Fantish Gudayehu
Runtime: 120 min
Starring: Michael Million, Meron Engida, Nardos Birhanu

Yisehaq is a family drama about a man who gets reunited with his long lost daughter
and moves in to her house with her mom and stepdad. This movie is a family drama
to the full extent of that genre. It's literally about the drama of a family told in a slow,
serious, and at times, tear jerking, manner. None of that mean it's a terrible film. If
you're a fan of these types of movies, you'd probably really enjoy it. But if you're
expecting comedy, a fast paced or light hearted movie, you'll definitely hate this. On a
technical note, this movie is so-so. The sound is audible, the cinematography visible
and the acting bearable. The acting does get obnoxious at times, especially the lead
who’s character also misses the mark. It's clear the writers intended the character to
come off as a cool and wise young dad, but he mostly seems stupid and irresponsible.
Overall, it's an endearing and memorable film but only if you're in the mood for this
genre.

6.5/10

24 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Directed By: Mike Mitchell
Runtime: 107 min
Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett

The Lego movie 2 is an animation movie set five years after the events of the first one
and follows Emmet, wyldstyle and their wacky friends as they try to protect their
land from new, seemingly invincible invaders. By now, we know what to expect
from Christopher Miller and Phil Lord (the writers) and their brand of irreverent
humor and unique storylines. But this sequel, the fourth one in the Lego universe,
although funny at times, doesn't pack the punch of the first one. The first film was
great because it was so unexpected; the jokes, the pop culture references, the ending
were all great to watch. But this just feels like an obligatory sequel with no major
contributions to the franchise. And plot wise, it's quite muddled and doesn't even
have a villain. It has its emotional moments but nowhere near as good as the other
films in the Legoverse. Or maybe I just expected a lot more from the writers that gave
us Spider Man: Into the Spider-verse.

6/10

Alita: Battle Angel

Directed By: Robert Rodriguez
Runtime: 122 min
Starring: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz

Alita: Battle Angel is a science fiction film about a young android girl with amnesia
and her journey to discover her past in a dystopian wasteland. This film, directed
by Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Spy Kids) and produced by James Cameron (Avatar,
Terminator), turns out exactly as you'd expect from those filmmakers. It's fast
paced and gritty with beautiful visuals. On the down side, like most of their films,
it's not strong on plot. It's predictable from the start. But the pros far outweigh the
shortcomings. It's spectacular and frequent fight sequences and great cast, especially
the lead Rosa Salazar, are sure to keep you entertained throughout. The main
character's pure innocence is a great contrast to the gritty, dystopian setting. But
another issue I had with the movie is, like most blockbusters these days; it seems
more concerned w that they seem to be setting up a franchise at the expense of
making a great standalone film. But considering the lack of more interesting movies
these days, this is worth checking out. genre.

7.5/10

Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019 I 25

ESHET – Cook Easy, Eat Healthy
Convenient traditional Ethiopian sauces
I n 2013, Tigist was a mother of three,
who had just completed her MBA in
SME Promotion and was continuing her
PhD in Leipzig, Germany. Despite her busy
schedule — dropping her kids at school,
studying in the library until late, picking
the kids up again and getting home at
the same time as her busy husband —
Tigist then did not feel overwhelmed
by the burden of cooking for her family.
She and her partner picked up ready-
to-eat or part-processed meals from
the supermarket during the week and
cooked with fresh ingredients during
the weekends or on more leisurely days.
Her experience made Tigist reflect on the
limited, lengthy, and often inconvenient
process of shopping for, and preparing
Ethiopian dishes in Addis. That reflection
made her clearly realise that many of the
food conveniences she took for granted
in Leipzig, she would not be able to find
back home. ‘If I had been in Addis,’ she
remembers thinking, ‘I would not have
been able to juggle everything.’
Eshet was born from Tigist’s desire to
bring the same food conveniences she
experienced during her life in Leipzig to
the working mothers, the single youths,
and the busy professionals of urban
Ethiopia. Her products satisfy the desire
for traditional Ethiopian food while at the
same time recognizing all the demands of a
fast-paced modern life.
Tigist feels especially strongly for
women like herself who, while pursuing
many other opportunities, also take on
culinary responsibilities in the household.
Her products — traditional Ethiopian
sauces made only with freshly sourced,
natural ingredients, without using any
artificial preservatives —are designed to
26 I Linkup Addis Ababa March, 2019
simplify the process of making Ethiopian
food without losing any of the health
benefits or authentic Ethiopian taste of our
cuisine.
Having devoted three years of study
and research into designing a unique
preservation process, Tigist now brings
to the market the ideal product for today’s
health conscious, fast paced lifestyle —
ready-to-eat sauces, made from freshly
sourced ingredients from local partner “designed to
farms, with a shelf life of up to one year, no simplify the process
added preservatives, and super delicious — of making Ethiopian
and all at an affordable price. Eshet now has food without losing
six different products: Lentil Sauce, Collard any of the health
Greens, Tomato Sauce, Beetroot, Pea benefits or authentic
Sauce, and Pumpkin —currently stocked at Ethiopian taste of
Friendship and Safeway supermarkets and our cuisine.”
many more to follow soon.
When she first founded Eshet, Tigist set
up a small facility in her own house and
having recruited her partner to work in
the company, regularly got her children
involved in helping out with tasks like
labeling or running errands. At the end
of last year, the BLOOM Accelerator Fund
invested in Tigist’s company. BLOOM is
a new innovative initiative by Business
Minds BV of the Netherlands and the
incubator Iceaddis. With BLOOM now
being an integral part of her team, she has
recently moved to a bigger production
facility and she has started to hire
additional staff. Nevertheless, Tigist’s
company maintains the original family feel
and everyone is warmly welcomed into the
Eshet family. Tigist’s aim is to make Eshet
the most trusted and healthy, go-to brand
of ready to eat Ethiopian food, in Ethiopia
as well as internationally.