Founded by Vuyo McGlad, NarowBi is carefully defined as an event rooted in the vision of creating a therapeutic and joyful atmosphere for attendees. It offers an immersive space where community and creativity collide, providing a lively platform for expression and connection among attendees.

With a blend of artistic showcases, live music, and local vendors, it serves as both a celebration and a retreat, inviting people to explore, create, and engage with one another. The event reflects a deep commitment to building community through shared experiences.

The upcoming NarowBi event, set for October 13, 2024, promises an even greater focus on creative expression and community interaction. In response to my questions about NarowBi, he shared the following insights:

1. What inspired the creation of NarowBi, and how has the event evolved since its inception?

My personal journey and background might have played an important influence in shaping NarowBi, driving its growth and giving it a unique feel. As an art director and student of life, I’ve always been interested in storytelling and bringing people together. My work has focused on mixing different artsy elements to create unified experiences. If you have been to NarowBi, you will know that it focuses on creating meaningful encounters through art and music especially live music. Growing up, I was always drawn to spaces where creativity and culture collided, and I wanted to create something similar but with a fresh, youth-driven perspective. Minimalism and simplicity—two design philosophies I value—are deeply woven into NarowBi, both visually and conceptually.

What really drives my passion for bringing people together through NarowBi is the idea of creating a space for authentic expression and connection. I believe art and music have the power to unite people, evoke emotions, and spark conversations, and I wanted NarowBi to be a platform where these elements could converge in a way that felt genuine and culturally relevant.

2. Can you tell us more about the concept behind “Kids Love Jazz” and how it fits within the larger NarowBi event?

Katlego Mathiane got me a ticket to Jazz in the Lights for my birthday. I almost cancelled because of school. I ended up going there. When I arrived, I noticed so many young familiar faces. Neo, Mpumi, Zango, Nonhlanhla, Breakfast Boy, Tai, Jinji, and Musa. It was astonishing to see such a large young audience at a jazz festival, so we started yelling “The kids love jazz.” Kujenga entered at about 4 PM, and practically EVERY-YOUNG-PERSON-THERE walked close to the stage to sing jazz songs, which was shocking. After hearing that the youngsters enjoy jazz, we decided to take a chance and organise a show. The rest is history.

3. How do you ensure that both the artistic and market elements of NarowBi remain fresh and engaging for attendees?

NarowBi is more of a feel than anything.  NarowBi’s community-based format allows us to keep things interesting by generally booking artists that are also part of the community. This helps to retain authenticity and a sense of belonging, which the community values. I mean while being true to this strategy, we also aim to remain relevant by staying current with cultural trends, experimenting with new concepts, and developing to meet the tastes of our audience. 

4. What role does community and creativity play in shaping the overall NarowBi experience?

Community comes first at NarowBi. Community and creativity are at the heart of the NarowBi experience. The community shapes the event by not only attending but also participating as artists, ensuring a deep connection between the audience and the performers.

5. What are your hopes for the future of NarowBi and the new “Kids Love Jazz” initiative?

For KLJ, I see it becoming one of the greatest Jazz Festivals in the world.  We have a dream.