139 S.Machel Ave/6th Street, Harare
Sisters of all kinds will be gathering at Book Cafe on Saturday 13 April for Sistaz Open Mic, a lively platform for emerging (and also well-established) women artists, from 2-5pm. It's an invitation to "do your thang – song, dance, poetry, comedy, whateva!” and a platform for free expression by young women of Zimbabwe.
April’s theme is ‘Voices of the Future’. The fascinating thing about Sistaz Open Mic is that you never know who will be on stage – from the outright first-timers – the uncut diamonds – to some of Zimbabwe’s most popular poets, singers and musicians. Will Dudu Manhenga be there? Or Tariro Ruzvido (‘Tari neGitare’) back from Europe? Who will be sharing the stage with who on that happy day?
For many young women this is a first exposure to a big live audience of the general public, but in the spirit of Sistaz Open mic they are accorded a warm welcome and lots of encouragement to step up to the microphone.
Leading the way and showing how it is done will be women artists who have travelled the road in the Zimbabwe music industry, and reached acclaim both at home, and some abroad. Others will be those who are already in and swiftly rising in the ranks while growing steadily. Will Tina Watyoka make it back from Gweru and her studies at Midlands State University for the show? Can we expect other young women who are educating themselves in music in that institution?
So far confirmed guests are Agnes Sambewe and Patience Mpofu from 'SHURO', a young group all the way from Zvishavane hot off the Midlands circuit and now making its debut in Harare later that afternoon, and the lively young singer-songwriter ‘Uza’ takes a turn as MC for the day. Registration for performers will quickly fill up, and those who want to participate should check in early to sign up with the MC (before 2pm). The team of women who run the event have a collective saying "Sistaz, this is your space – come and claim it!"
What is certain is a great afternoon of women in the arts, supported by brothers and by each other. Welcome to three hours of outright entertainment and first hand introduction to Voices of the Future!
Pamberi Trust is an arts development association which works to identify and nurture young artists of Zimbabwe, bring women artists into the mainstream of the arts and provide platforms for freedom of expression at Book Cafe. Development programmes by Pamberi Trust operate with the support of the European Union, Hivos and others.
SHURO: Zvishavane to Harare!
Saturday 13 April 2013, 5.30-7pm
Book Cafe, 139 S.Machel Ave/6th St, Harare
The lively young music group SHURO of Zvishavane make their Harare debut on Saturday 13 April at the Book Cafe in Samora Machel Avenue, from 5.30-7pm in a special slot designed for exposure of emerging music talent, this Saturday opening up for exciting young talent from other centres in Zimbabwe.
Shuro is hot off the midlands circuit, performing widely as far as Masvingo and Mutare, and are thrilled to have reached a stage in the capital for the first time. The 10 member band comprises lead, rhythm, bass, keyboards, drums and penny-whistle and four singers, led by Patrick Mbewe with young women artists Agnes Sambewe and Patience Mpofu, and delivers a lively all-round entertainment with fresh originals, some favourite covers and an eclectic mix of modern and traditional music styles.
Formed in 2011, the band has grown from strength to strength in their home town, popular for private functions, weddings, galas and regular public shows, and have shared the stage at various high-profile events with much-loved artists of Zimbabwe such as Peter Dehwa, Selmor Mtukudzi and Tendai Manatsa, Dino Mudondo and Sulu Chimbetu, and a highlight in their journey so far has been performing as a curtain-raiser for Zimbabwean superstar Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi in Masvingo last year.
Shuro already have two CDs to their credit, the latest being ‘Welcome to Zvishavane’ featuring some hot new tracks and traditional folk songs. The band is sponsored by long-time supporter of young artists, Newton Basera and New Base Zvishavane.
Pamberi Trust is an arts development association which works to identify and nurture young artists of Zimbabwe, and provide platforms for freedom of expression at Book Cafe. Development programmes by Pamberi Trust operate with the support of the European Union, Hivos and others.
The Book Cafe extends a warm welcome on Saturday 13 April to SHURO and all Harare music-lovers who are ready for something fresh and new from Zimbabwe. Don’t miss it!
The Shuro performance follows on from Sistaz Open Mic from 5.30-7pm.
Post published in: Arts