Old Skook Vibes

Old Skool Vibes, We Came, We Danced, We Conquered

The date was May 3rd, 2025. The mission? To throw Chic Soirees’ first BIG event, “Old Skool Vibes,” and transport Nairobi back to the glorious 80s and 90s. As one of the masterminds behind the madness, let me tell you, the day started with a cocktail of pure excitement and a healthy dose of “stress kiasi!”

Waking up that morning, the energy was palpable. My partner (the formidable CEO of Chic Soirees, Ivy!) and I were buzzing. This wasn’t just any event; this was our event. No corporate safety nets, every shilling spent was ours. The big question looming: would it be the success we poured our souls into? A quick peek at the ticket portal showed some savvy souls had snagged their tickets the night before – clearly, some folks aren’t about that last-minute Kenyan rush. Bless them!

Dressed for action (and knowing a long day of running around awaited), I headed to the legendary Jabess Gardens. Confession: the thought of a neat glass of rum did cross my mind at an ungodly hour. But one stern, “don’t-you-dare” look from Ivy, and sobriety was the order of the day. Wise woman.

On arrival at Jabess Gardens – that cool spot along Muhuri Road, just behind Waiyaki Way Beekeepers – the setup frenzy began. Big shout out to the pros: Mizmor Events, led by the main man Primce Eben, who rolled in with the sound gear, and Shane Events, who brought the decor A-game. Both teams were on time and got straight to business, transforming the space. My personal highlight? A thrilling, slightly terrifying mission to pick up a prop, clinging on for dear life in the back of a pickup to ensure its survival. The things we do for the perfect vibe!

By afternoon, Team Chic Soirees was fully assembled. Ivy, ever the gracious host, made sure everyone was well-fed and watered, ready for the marathon ahead. With the final nitty-gritties ironed out, we were GO!

At 2:30 PM sharp, DJ Knotty took to the decks, easing us in with some soulful slow jams. It was the perfect appetiser. You could see the crowd slowly trickling in, finding their spots, a murmur of anticipation rippling through Jabess Gardens as the beats set a mellow, inviting tone.

Fast forward to 6 PM. The moment the Mizmor Band stepped on stage, something shifted. The energy went from a simmer to a full-blown ROAR! Oh, boy, these guys were phenomenal. The music wasn’t just good; it was electric, nostalgic, and utterly captivating. The crowd was instantly hooked, singing along, swaying, and fully immersed in the “blast from the past.”

By 7:30 PM, any semblance of shyness had evaporated. The dance area? PACKED. We’re talking people shaking it like their rent was due, grooving with an infectious joy that was incredible to witness. It was a beautiful sea of happy faces, lost in the music.

The Mizmor Band kept the fire burning bright until around 10:55 PM. Then, the legend himself, DJ Miles International, stepped up. And how do you make an entrance? By dropping Eric Wainaina’s “Daima Mimi Mkenya,” of course! In a spontaneous, beautiful moment, the entire crowd pulled out their phones, torches blazing, waving them in the air as they belted out the anthem. Goosebumps. Pure magic.

DJ Miles kept the old school bangers coming, and the party raged on… until around 2 AM. Just as we were hitting peak party endurance, the heavens opened, and the rain decided it was time for us all to get some rest. A dramatic, if slightly damp, end to an unforgettable night!

For our first major event as Chic Soirees, I was absolutely beaming. The turnout was fantastic, the entertainment was top-tier, and the vibe? Pure, unadulterated fun. The best part? Hearing the crowd already clamoring for another round!

And guess what? We listened! Get ready for “The Oldies Vibe 0.2” coming your way on August 9th, 2025! Mark those calendars, because Chic Soirees is just getting started.

Were you at Old Skool Vibes? What was your favourite moment? Share your memories in the comments below!