If you would like NOT to receive this e-mail (which is sent text only to keep it very small and easily downloadable) then also advise us at that address. Please pass this e-mail on to your family, friends and colleagues, so that everyone is better informed about what’s on. If you wish to have information included on this newsletter send the information in text-only format to aquarius@iwayafrica.co.zw – there is no charge as this is a free service and acts as an anti-clash diary.
Sunday April 24 – Telecel 2016 Drag Racing Series. Donnybrook Raceway. Partnered by Telecel, Nemchem, hp lubes/Castrol, Turbo Solutions Africa, Financial Gazette and Oracle Imaging, Sables/Dragpro welcome race fans and competitors for the first event in the series: 13 classes open to all makes and models of cars and motorcycles, from standard road vehicles to highly modified performance vehicles. Prizes and trophies awarded to the top three in each of the 13 classes. Driver/rider registration closes at 2.30 pm. Admission $5 adults; children under 12 free. Bar and catering and entertainment for children. Race the track, not the street.
Sunday April 24 – Harare SPCA Fun Show and Dog Walk. Mukuvisi Woodland and Nature Reserve, starts 8am (walk) and 10am (show). Fun for the whole family … and the dogs! Stalls with many types of goods on sale. Spot raffle for SPCA. Classes for the dog show varied and fun. Bookings for stalls – Barbara (0774 198009) and information from Sheila (0779 922105). Sponsored by Pedigree and Whiskas. Gate entry to Mukuvisi $2.
Sunday April 24 – Summerset Concert. 4.30pm, Vanilla Moon, 8 Seagrave Rd, Mount Pleasant. Featuring Alex Fairlie and Matt Greenwood, a talented acoustic duo who will perform a wide range of music, from classic-rock to original songs. A laid-back way to end your weekend with family and friends. Call (04) 333394 to reserve a table and picnic box. Catering will be available. Cover charge $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Monday April 25 – Short Shona language/cultural awareness courses. Introduction to Basic/ Beginner Level 1 Shona language and Shona culture for adult learners in Harare. Morning, afternoon and evening lessons. Enrolment is in progress for the third intake of 2016 for basic Shona language learners. Venue: a very quiet private home in Vainona. Small (five students max) class group lessons. Fun, well thought out, highly educational lessons. Dedicated native Shona speakers who are trained, qualified and experienced in teaching second/foreign languages. Tuition fees cover all learning materials and bottled water. Choose a class to join. Courses starting on 25 April 2016 Group A: 3 week morning class Mon-Thurs 10am-12am (8hrs/wk.) Group B: 3 week afternoon class Mon-Thurs 12.30pm-2.30pm (8hrs/wk.) Group C: 6 week afternoon class Tues and Thurs 3.30pm-5.30pm (4hrs/wk.) Courses starting on 2 May 2016 (after hours) Group D: 8 week afternoon course Mon and Wed 4pm-5.30pm (3hrs/wk.) Group E: 8 week evening course Mon and Wed 5.30pm-7pm (3hrs/wk.) Show up with a pen, notebook and a willingness to learn and we will do the rest. Email: generalinquiries@freeyourmind.co.zw Website: www.freeyourmindlanguagetuition.com  Facebook: https://facebook.com/anguageITlessons  Twitter: @privatelessons2 (Shona/English Tutor) Call: 0737924599.
Tuesday April 26 – Being Elmo. Doc Club presentation for this week, Tristan’s Bar, starting 7pm. A Sundance special jury prize winner. “This story of a boy who came to realise his dreams is as good-natured and uncontroversial as Elmo himself.” – Film4. Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop. 14 Aintree Rd. Entry $5 (goes to charity).
Tuesday April 26 to Saturday April 30 – Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2016. Theme: innovate, integrate, industrialise. Business conference April 27, charity golf challenge April 28, public days April 29 and 30. Includes A’Sambeni Africa Business Tourism Expo.
Friday April 29 to Sunday May 1 – HIFA presents the CABS Classical Music Celebration. St George’s College, with tickets on sale from Avondale Shopping Centre and (from April 27) at St George’s College. Sponsored by CABS. Visit www.hifa.co.zw or like Facebook/HIFA.
Friday April 29 to Sunday May 1 – Harare International Food and Music Festival. Borrowdale Race Course, 10am onwards all three days. Arranged by Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation. A wide range of food exhibits, food and beverage events and entertainments. Information from jacaranda.culture@gmail.com or call 0775 775775, 0732 775775 or 0718 775775. Shop 120, first floor, Longcheng Plaza, Belvedere. Landline (04) 741192-3. Book online at www.webtickets.co.zw – five international acts!
Friday April 29 and Saturday April 30 – Zimbabwe Wedding Expo. OK Mart, Hillside. 8am to 6pm both days, entry free. Check out www.zimbabweweddings.co.zw. Exhibitors: $200 to take part (two full days of exhibition). Zimbabwe’s biggest wedding network and OK Mart host this bridal extravaganza, with reputable wedding service providers on display and exciting events already lined up. Exhibitor bookings: contact Cynthia on 0777 885343.
Friday April 29 – Art classes for adults at Doon Estate. Learn to paint and draw under acacia trees with wildlife artist Petros Kaseke. No experience necessary. 3pm to 6pm on each of these Fridays. Doon Estate, Harrow Road, Msasa. $15 fee, includes instruction, materials and refreshments from Café Veldermeers. Limited number of spaces, so call Petros on 0772 364289 or email petros.kaseke@gmail.com. Participants will also have a chance to enter the Your Nest is My Nest  2016 art competition sponsored by BirdLife Zimbabwe and the Italian Embassy. Entries for this close on May 8.
Saturday April 30 – Doon Estate Holiday Art Classes. Learn to paint and draw under acacia trees with wildlife artist Petros Kaseke, also known for his art classes at Mukuvisi Woodlands. Classes for school children of all ages, 9.30am to 12.30pm on each of these Saturdays. Doon Estate, Harrow Road, Msasa.$12 fee, includes instruction, materials and refreshments from Café Veldemeers. Limited number of spaces, so call Petros on 0772 364289 or e-mail petros.kaseke@gmail.com. Participants will also have a chance to enter the Your Nest is My Nest 2016 art competition sponsored by BirdLife Zimbabwe and the Italian Embassy. Entries for this close May 8.
Saturday April 30 – Iain Macdonald’s art, crafts and books fair. Chisipite Junior School, 9am to 4pm.
Tuesday May 3 – Fun quiz night. The first May quiz event at one67 Enterprise Road, also known as Theo’s House of Coffees. Starts 6.45pm but be there from 6.15 to settle in and arrange food and drinks. No entry fee. Food and beverages available throughout. Fun for all and this is a team quiz – bring along a team or come along and join a team. Quiz host tonight Lee Mackinlay.
Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7 – Needlecraft Exhibition. 9am to 4pm both days. Greencroft Presbyterian Church hall, Stoney Road. The exhibition features a display of all forms of embroidery including; cross stitch, needle painting, ribbon embroidery, smocking, stump work, crochet, weaving and others. Demonstrations and workshops on the hour every hour. Entry $3 for adults, $2 for over-65s and $1 for children under 12 (Includes tea and cake).
Friday May 6 – Shakespeare Commemorated. A reprise of the presentation given on the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s passing, with readings from works of the Bard of Avon by award-winners John Dennison and Sue Evans. Presented as a supper theatre show, with music after the performance for diners. Arrivals 6.30pm, presentation runs 7pm for 45 minutes, followed by supper and music. Advance booking strongly recommended as places are limited. To book or enquire please call 0772 881877.
Saturday May 7 – Harare International School May Fair. 9am to 3pm. HIS is off Pendennis Road, Mount Pleasant.
Saturday May 7 – A Century of Fashion – The Ballet. 6pm, Harare International School Theatre. Tickets now on sale at offices of the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe, Ballet Centre, East Road, Belgravia. Tickets $10. The amalgamation of 100 years of fashion trends interpreted through the lifelong relationship between fashion and ballet.Concept created, developed and produced by Haleema Mekani. Featuring Zimbabwean ballet dancers, designers and classical musicians. More information from Haleema on 0771 930490.
Saturday May 7 – Rhino Fest 3. Presented at Old Georgians Sports Club by Harare Round Table No. 1. Featuring SA’s PJ Powers and Ghapi, plus many local acts, including Bud Cockcroft, Gary Stanley, MACKAY, Public Nuisance, Amy and the Calamities, Fraser Mackay, The Skuds, DJ Frank, DJ Rob Macson, DJs James Honey and Charlie Bravo. All proceeds to the SOUL Trust, in support of anti poaching (see www.soultrust.org), fully endorsed and supported by National Parks. Tickets available from The Venue, Avondale (PaSangano Building), Big Sky in the Pomona shopping centre and OGs Sports Club: $15 pre-sale, $20 at the door.
Sunday May 8 – Mothers’ Day luncheon at one67 Enterprise Road. Starts 12.30pm, with a selection of mothers’ musical melodies in soft rock, pop and country from songbird Mande. Advance booking by calling 0772 881877.
Sunday May 8 – Mothers’ Day High Tea at Meikles. From 12 noon onwards, a treat fro mums and their families, at $14 a person. Meikles Hotel’s Tanganda Lounge. Booking essential, by calling (04) 707721 or e-mailing reservations@meikles.com
Sunday May 8 – Celebrity Subscription Concerts’ recital: Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano). 3pm, Arundel School Chapel. Advance booking now open at The Spotlight, tickets $10. Ammiel is a South African-based performer and will feature works by Schubert and Liszt, as well as a selection of songs without words by composers such as Rameau, Bizet, Faure, Alkan, Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss and Gluck.
Friday May 13 – Hello Mary Lou. The magnificent music of Ricky Nelson and contemporaries from the late 50s and early 60s. A live show at one67 enterprise Road, also known as Theo’s House of Coffees, the latest in the monthly ‘down memory lane’ shows that are proving very popular. Entry $5. Book by calling 0772 881877.
Sunday May 15 - Organ recital by Gene Bedient. Featuring works of J.S. Bach, César Franck and Marcel Dupré. 4pm, at the Cathedral of St Mary and All Saints, corner Sam Nujoma Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue. Admission by donation, received for the benefit of the Cathedral General Fund. Since 2014 Gene Bedient has been living in Harare, as his wife, Gwen, is a member of the US Foreign Service, posted at the American Embassy. Gene founded the Bedient Pipe Organ Company, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA in 1969 and managed the company until his retirement in 2010. During that time the Bedient Company, with its staff of 12, built 81 organs for churches, homes and concert halls in America. In retirement, during Gwen’s Foreign Service postings, Gene has done repair work and tuning on organs in Algeria, Paris and Zimbabwe. Between January and April 2015, with the help of two assistants, all pipes of the Cathedral organ were removed, cleaned, repaired voiced and tuned, to bring the instrument back to a state of function and refinement that it has not known for many years. The original organ was built in 1907 in Great Britain by Norman and Beard. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was rebuilt and enlarged by Cooper, Gill and Tompkins of South Africa. Others have made revisions and additions in subsequent years. Gene studied engineering, industrial arts and music at the University of Nebraska, obtaining a Bachelor of Music Education, majoring in piano, in 1967. In 1971, he obtained a Master of Music degree with a major in organ performance.
Tuesday May 17 – Fun team quiz at one67. The fortnightly quiz evening for teams – come along with a team or join in a team. The accent is on fun. Arrivals 6.15 to settle in, with quiz starting 6.45pm. No entry fee. Supper and drinks available. Table reservations not essential but as the quiz nights are proving popular, it is recommended. Call 0772 881877.
Saturday May 21 – Chegutu Touch Bowl. The 12th annual edition of this popular event. Bryden Country School, Chegutu. Rugby starts 8am. Children’s entertainment, bar and catering, free camping available. Under-16s free, all other $15 entry fee. Book teams or get more info from Colin Delport, 0772 345314, e-mail colindelport22@gmail.com.
Wednesday May 25 – Africa Day luncheon and music. A family afternoon in a garden setting, with music by Faith and Brennan Wyngardt, who are Fab Fusion, with a great mix of music from all over Africa. A selection of dishes from across the continent, too … from Mozambican prawns to North African spicy delights. One67 enterprise Road, also known as Theo’s House of Coffees. From 12 noon onwards. Booking will open at the end of April.
Thursday May 26 – Autumn Designer Lunch. A fashion presentation from Aurora Hill over lunch in the garden setting of one67 enterprise Road retail estate. From 12 noon onwards. Table bookings essential – please call 0772 881877.
Friday May 27 to Sunday May 29 – Miombo Magic music festival. Zimbabwe’s family-friendly annual music festival, camping out in the stunning bush of Christon Bank, 25km north of Harare. A line-up of bands from Friday afternoon to Sunday sunset, with a wide range of additional activities to keep children happy. Tickets on sale from Pariah State in Borrowdale or online at miombomagic.paynow.co.zw. Further details on the festival and the line up at facebook.com/miombomagic. Small venue, so ticket numbers are limited.
Saturday May 27and Sunday May 28 – 2016 hp lubes Castrol 4×4 Jamboree. Donnybrook motor sports park. Lots of entertainment and good fun for all the family. More details in due course but diarise now.
Saturday June 4 – watch out for The Kilted Generation 2. Presented by the St John’s College Pipe Band as a fundraiser for the band’s planned trip to Scotland for the World Pining Championships. Watch out f0or more details. Afternoon and evening shows to be held.
Saturday June 4 – All That Jazz. A stage show featuring a live band, five great female singers and a selection of songs from all over the world, from trad to Afro, and everything in between. Booking opens end of April. There will be two shows – 2.30pm and 7pm. Venue: one67 Enterprise Road, also known as Theo’s House of Coffees.
Saturday June 4 – Zimbabwe Music Teachers’ Society annual concert. 3pm, Arundel School Chapel. More details in due course but diarise the date now.
Sunday June 12 – Celebrity Subscription Concerts’ pre-Bulawayo Music Festival recital. Diarise now and await full details.
Wednesday June 15 to Sunday June 19 – The Bulawayo Music Festival. Back after a four-year break. Musicians will include Nokuthula Ngwenyama (violin), Theo Bross (cello), the Odeion Quartet, Leslie Howard (piano) and Coady Green (piano). More information from music@gatorzw.co.uk
Thursday June 16 to Saturday June 18 – Sanganai/Hlanganani/World Tourism Expo. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority hosts the ninth annual edition of this event, to be held this year in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds, Bulawayo, using Halls 3 and 4. The relocation of Sanganai/Hlanganani/World Tourism Expo to the city of Bulawayo has been done to stimulate the development and growth of tourism in regions across the country. Sanganai/Hlanganani is one of Africa’s premier tourism showcases, aimed at bringing international buyers and exhibitors under one roof. Details can be sourced from the Executive Director, National Convention Bureau, call (04) 770409 or e-mail ncb@ztazim.co.zw. Alternatively, contact the exhibition team: edson@ztazim.co.zw, sheona@ztazim.co.zw or sanganai@ztazim.co.zw
Thursday June 16 to Saturday June 18 – Barnyard Theatre returns to Harare with a show called Vegas. Diarise now and information will come soon on booking dates and costs. More information, including requests for gala shows, from Minky Walters, mwalters@dae.co.zw
Sunday July 3 – 2016 Borrowdale Craft Fair. Old Georgians’ Club. 9am to 4pm. Entry: adults $2, pensioners and children $1. More information and stand bookings: visit 256 Herbert Chitepo Road, corner 5th Street, or tel:  (04) 794182, cell 0772 308381. Office open between 8am and 2pm Mon-Fri. E-mail itafrica@zol.co.zw
Monday August 22 to Saturday August 27 – 2016 Harare Show. This year is the 106th annual show, and the theme is: Climate Resilience – The New Agricultural Frontier. Preceded by exhibitors’ training on August 3, international showjumping competition from August 15 to 21. The show itself will feature exhibition stands and many events to educate, inform and entertain. Children’s fun park, daily fireworks displays, police display daily, live performances by entertainers each day. Traders’ Day Monday August 22. WEZ and ZAS agri quiz Tuesday August 23. National agri-business conference Wednesday August 24. Official opening and prizegiving Friday August 26. Leadership for enhancement of Agricultural Development Series each day. Students in uniform free on Tuesday August 23. Learn more through www.zas.co.zw or Facebook/Zimbabwe Agricultural Society. Call (04) 780963-6 or e-mail marketing@zas.co.zw
Friday September 23 to Sunday September 25 – The 2016 Zimbabwe Motor Show. Venue: Old Georgians Sports Club. Previous exhibitors have first option on their exhibition stands and new exhibitors are welcome. Visit Facebook/ZimbabweMotorShow. Enquiries and bookings to Gabriel Ettlin, event organiser, tel. 0774 336376.
Stress Management and Life Coach Practitioner course, Grief Relief Group, and Stress Relief and Relaxation Group. Yes, you can control your stress levels – permanently – even when the going gets really tough! Email pamina@breakfreeandreclaimyourlife.com or go to www.breakfreeandreclaimyourlife.com for information on courses, Saturdays and weekdays after work.
Celebrity Subscription Concerts is open for new memberships and for renewals. The membership officer is Veronique Wakerley (vawakerley@zol.co.zw). Subs for 2016: Red Carpet (all recitals during the year, plus after-recital receptions) – $100 per person or $180 per couple. Ordinary members: (four recitals, plus discount for remaining recitals) – $40 per person or $70 per couple.
Some helpful information about school terms in 2016: Second term – Start: Tuesday May 3, End: Thursday August 4, half term:Â June 17 to 20. Public Holidays: Africa Day, May 25. Third term: Start Tuesday September 6, End:Â Thursday December 8, half term: October 14 to 17. First term 2017 starts Tuesday January 10.
Remember to support those in our society who are disadvantaged and in need. Clipboard supports VAWZ, AWARE Trust, SPCAs through Zimbabwe including the ZNSPCA, Mukuvisi Woodland, Harare Children’s Home, the Friend Foundation. They all need your help to keep going and to do their job of protecting those who cannot always protect themselves.
HIFA 2016 will be different to other years, with a series of events across the year. HIFAmigo subscriptions are being offered that will encompass all the events planned, which to date include the CABS CLASSICAL MUSIC CELEBRATION at St George’s College April 29 to May 1, HARARE THEATRE SEASON at Reps Theatre, May 12 to 15; early June (date yet to be confirmed): PARTY IN THE PARKADE. Funky, innovative venue for a real dance party with well known DJs. Parking no problem! 25 – 26 June: MUSIC WEEKEND at Glamis Arena, ZAS showgrounds. This weekend will be dedicated to live bands in a similar programming stance as for HIFA Main Stage. The area will be divided in half, one half being for the performances, the other being a larger ‘Coca-Cola Green’ idea. July (date to be confirmed): RUGBY EXHIBITION MATCH at Glamis Arena. July (date to be confirmed): CLASSICAL BALLET PRESENTATION at Reps Theatre. This will be in association with National Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet doing a presentation of extracts from THE NUTCRACKER SUITE. August (date to be confirmed): EQUESTRIAN EVENT WITH FINE ART EXHIBITION AND AUCTION at Bushman Rock. September (date to be confirmed): FORMULA 1 PRESENTATION AND INNOVATIVE CAR SHOW within central Harare and at Donnybrook. November (date and venue to be confirmed): HAIR, BEAUTY AND FASHION CELEBRATION. This is hair, beauty and fashion as art – not to be missed! December (date and venue to be confirmed): ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND ANTI-POACHING CONFERENCE at Victoria Falls. Notification of box office openings and dates as timings become secured. We have revisited our subscription levels so that more people can become Amigos. Please encourage your friends and family to join as well. It is a difficult time in our country and at times like this, we need to be able to meet, to laugh, (to cry!) and to reassure each other that “we will get through it!†We look forward to welcoming you as a HIFA 2016 Next Level HIFAmigo. Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), tel: (04) 300119/ 300984/ 300977/ 309999 or 0772 978 763 (general office line). E-mail amigos@hifa.co.zw. Visit www.hifa.co.zw
Message from the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe: our National Ballet will be staging a ballet season at Reps Theatre in the last week of July, with the exciting collaboration of the Cape Town City Ballet. When the roof of the Ballet Centre in Belgravia collapsed, dance teachers in South Africa rallied round and staged shows and ran raffles, among other activities, to raise funds for us as we went through our reconstruction exercise. After we finished, they notified us that they had raised some more money so they held onto these funds and have now used them to initiate this collaboration between the Cape Town City Ballet and Zimbabwe’s National Ballet. The DTZ must now ‘step up to the plate’ and find the remaining funds to make this happen. We would like to undertake various fundraising activities, including a raffle, so we are appealing to companies and individuals to assist us by providing raffle prizes. We also appeal for funds to put towards the air tickets and accommodation for the four Cape Town dancers who are coming, as well as for the many other expenses involved in such a show. Please contact Eve Stranix at the DTZ, Ballet Centre, East Road, Belgravia. Call 0712 20147.
Food For Life Market: join us at the Food For Life Market each Thursday from 9am to 2pm. 17 Phillips Ave, Belgravia. Stock up on unique local products, specialising in traditional, organic and healthy options. Featuring: food/cooking presentations, crafts, vegetarian and vegan food options, baked goods, sauces and spreads, international cuisine, sweet treats, fresh produce, meats and more. Contact: FoodForLifeMarket@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a stall. Endorsed by the Zimbabwe Traditional and Organic Food Forum. www.facebook.com/FoodForLifeMarket.
Need a breath of fresh air? Enjoy a healthy walk or run through the Mukuvisi Woodlands this and every Sunday. Beautiful grasses, flowers and mushrooms to see. Enjoy the rock pool on the Mukuvisi river, which is flowing nicely. You may start your walk any time from 6.30am up to 10.30am (Please note that there have been sightings of our sable family along the 5km route early in the morning). Depending on the trail that you take you can be out in the fresh air for 1 – 2 hours.  Bacon and egg roll, coffee and other items at the coffee shop is available from 7am onwards this Sunday (new weekend caterers started last Sunday – hot, fresh and quick!). Entry fees are $5 per adult (visitor/runner/walker/biker), children from 5-12 years $2, and $1 per dog, senior citizens over 65 – no charge. Dogs on leashes and kids on mountain bikes very welcome. Trails from 3km to 10km. Please note, with annual Woodland Walker membership ($50 single, $80 double, $120 per family, including kids and dogs!) you can walk on any weekend at no further charge. Get more details when you book in with our reception staff. Food is placed for the animals at the Viewing Platform around 10am – see eland, zebra, giraffe and impala; guinea fowl, Egyptian geese, grey heron and more. Mukuvisi Woodlands is 5km from centre of Harare on Glenara Avenue/Hillside Road. Call (04) 747111/123 or 0774 198009. Advice for walkers: When it’s hot make sure you wear a hat and take some water with you. Youcan buy bottled water before you start. The trails take you near the bird hide and small dam and then into the wild game area. So ensure your dogs are well leashed. Anyone letting their dog off the lead in the wild game area may be banned from The Woodlands. Having dogs on the leash is not only for the protection of your dog, but to stop them disturbing  our wild animals. We have cut the grass on the trails, but please check your dogs afterwards for ticks, (preferably spray/dip them beforehand). and discourage them from eating any animal droppings they may find along the way!
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