Written by: Audrey Lang

In December of 2018, Aziz Doumbia, Fayçal Lazraq, Lionel Obam, Aurore Aoussi, and Charles Tanoh-Boutchoue, now known as Bain de Foule Creative Studio, put on their first event. Their intent was simply to create something enjoyable for 50 of their friends. As of May 2019, the event has turned into a mini-festival in Abidjan, Ivory Coast attended by thousands.

The name La Sunday is birthed from both “the heat of a Sunday afternoon and eating a sundae,” says Charles.

La Sunday was born out of a desire to recreate the party atmospheres found in Paris, NYC and LA comprised of good music, good food, good people and good vibes to end the weekend and prepare for a new week. La Sunday promises to bring back the essence of Sunday Funday in the city of Abidjan.

The first three events took place outdoors in the Dozo store’s parking lot with decor comprised of afro-printed cushions and mats, games, and servings of crepes, juice, beer, and cocktails. Attendance quickly went from 50 to 200 and though the event changes venues in accordance with anticipated attendance and external factors like neighbors and weather, the floor mats, wooden palettes, cushions, and pillows remain a staple.

“It became evident that Ivoirians yearn for a gathering where people of all ethnic backgrounds, religions, and social classes can assemble to party,” Fayçal says. La Sunday capitalizes on the aforementioned.

La Sunday refutes every facet of a modern-day party.

Photo Courtesy of La Sunday

Attendees do not put on airs nor are they provided with bottle service in the form of scantily clad women and reserved tables. They are, however, encouraged to come, have fun, and dance their hearts out to an eclectic array of music, outdoors atop carpets meticulously placed below them, sitting upon wax-print covered ottomans, near wooden stands for beverages, food, and retail.

“It differs from those in Abidjan comprised of flashing lights and bling-bling,” says Lionel.

La Sunday is a hub for individuals of all walks of life: creatives, young professionals and youth alike. They come as they are from far and wide to bear witness to a movement so free it’s set to put Abidjan on the map.

In late April, La Sunday held their Carnival-themed edition at the Fondation Donwahi art gallery. Roughly 2,000 attendees came ready to release their inhibitions and dance non-stop for hours.

With La Sunday’s growing success, the vision for the event has evolved. The aim is now to create a large-scale music festival that would gather DJs and acts from all over the African continent and beyond, and take place over a few days once a year in Abidjan before crowds of hundreds of thousands. The team also wants to create other events to complement La Sunday.

La Sunday takes place on designated Sundays in Abidjan from 3 pm to 11 pm.

Tickets can be purchased at Dozo Abidjan (Aziz’s concept store), via the app Apero Abidjan (Aurore’s startup), or at the Fayçal’s restaurants Fé Ta Crépe and Vallon.

Ivory Coast

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