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Now running until Saturday July 16 – Phantom – The Concert. Reps Theatre. The Repertory Players present the music of one of the world’s favourite love stories, with all the great songs you know so well. Starring David Bvumbe as The Phantom and exciting new talents Natalie Carroll as Christine and Shaun Mundawarara as Raoul. Matinees July 9 and 16 (2.30pm). Evening shows 7pm. Tickets $8 to $15. Book at The Spotlight (call (04) 308159 or visit www.thespotlight.co.zw (online bookings available). Directed by Sue Bolt and musical direction by Meg Mackenzie. A treat for audiences of all ages.
Now running until Saturday July 16 – National Institute of Allied Arts Speech and Drama Festival. Over 1 700 entries have been received and candidates will be presenting poems, prose, Shakespearean work, mime, speeches and news reading, to be adjudicated by visiting adjudicators. Venues – to July12: Prince Edward School, juniors in the Music Centre and intermediates and seniors in the Beit Hall; July 12 to July 15: Performing Arts Theatre, Harare International School – Choral Speaking. Tickets and full programme available at the venues. More information: (04) 702989 or e-mail: niaa@yoafrica.com
Saturday July 9 – Bridge Drive. A fundraiser for the Harare Buddhist Centre. 10.30am to about 4pm. Venue: the home of Dave and Pam Sheehan, 29 Swallow Hill, Helensvale. Cost: $15, includes teas and lunch. All you need to do is find yourselves a partner. Interested? Please contact Pam on zimsheehans@gmail.com or phone 0772 404129.
Saturday July 9 – The Lion King Story. Presented by Drum Café, Davies Events, Rooney’s Hire Services, Dance Avenue, Zol, Book of Africa Records and St John’s Prep School. A musical celebration from St John’s and Chisipite, featuring an attempt at an African record for the largest choreographed dance, from Dance Avenue. Time 4pm. Admission: adults $10, children $5, family of two adults and three children $25. Tickets from St Elmo’s or online at www.daviesevents.paynow.co.zw
Sunday July 10 – Family Fun Run or Walk. Ballantyne Park, starting 9am. Registration Sat Jul 9 9am to 11am, Sun 7am to 8.30am. Bacon and egg rolls, and coffee, on sale after the run, or bring a picnic and relax in the natural surrounds of this park. The Ballantyne Park Conservancy Trust, a non profit organisation run  totally by volunteers, will host this event, whcih will be used to raise funds for the continued rehabilitation and maintenance of Ballantyne,  Blair and Staley Parks. A tremendous amount of work has been done over the past two years to clear the rubbish dumped in the parks over the previous years. The parks are at a stage where they can be used, for running, walking dogs and generally relaxing in nature, by residents and visitors. With the number of visitors to the parks increasing it is now essential that the toilets are repaired and made functional. Businesses in the area or with interests in the Parks are invited to set up advertising banners within the park for the duration of the event. Donations for this facility will be appreciated. Contact Sally Wentzel 0772524093 for more details.
Sunday July 10 – Fun pub quiz. Reps Theatre main bar, starts 11.15am promptly. Come along with a team or join up with a team. Suitable for all ages. Wine tasting after the quiz, as well as butter chicken lunch. Bar open. No entry fee.
Sunday July 10 – Ovation and FaB Fusion live at Gava Restaurant. Performing at this restaurant, situated at the Belgravia Sports Club from 1pm. Lunch available: traditional dishes and braai chicken. Bar open and jumping castle for children.
Tuesday July 12 – Fun team quiz (formerly at one67 and now at The Tin Roof!). The latest in the fortnightly series of popular quiz evenings, where the accent is on fun for all … now in a new venue. No entry fee. Food and drinks on sale. Advance booking for tables is important: please call 0737 694383. Quiz starts at 6.45pm, and people assemble from 6.15pm to get ready, with food and drinks.
Thursday July 14 to Saturday July 16 – Homes and Styles Expo 2016. 8.30am to 4.30pm daily, Cresta Sango Conference Centre, Cresta Lodge, Greendale/Msasa. To find out about exhibitor rates, contact: events@vhmevents.co.zw, call 0773 226301 or 0772 105342. Cover charge: book on Webtickets until June 10 for discounted rates. $2, early bird one day admission only, $30, early bird admission plus seminar (one day pass), $6 for two-day admission, $45 for two-day admission plus seminar.
Friday July 15 and Saturday July 16 – Journey’s End. St John’s College Dramatic Society, proud winner of the Reps Afdis Award for Best School Production 2015, presents the classic World War One play, Journey’s End by R. C. Sherriff. Friday at 6.30pm and the gala performance on Saturday at 6.30pm for 7 pm (this includes cheese and wine beforehand.) Tickets are $5 each, on sale at the College Bursar or on the door. An exhibition of the work of the War Poets movement work will also be on display.
Friday July 15 – Christmas in July at The Spice Trader. 7pm to midnight. BYO drinks. Enjoy a three-course dinner with a fusion of Christmas and spicy delights. $35 per person. Individual tickets on sale. Pre-payment by card or cash required please. Please call or Whatsapp Chantelle on 0772 308953 for bookings. Tell your friends, too. Don’t forget our frozen South-East Asian curries available on tap.
Saturday July 16 – Cynthia Smith Memorial Bike Ride. Wingate Golf Club. Ride 15km, 25km or 50km (GPS needed). Registration from 7am. Fundraiser for VAWZ. Phone Chrystal on 0712 201553.
Saturday July 16 – Departures. Screening of this acclaimed Japanese film by Yojiro Takita in aid of the Harare Buddhist Centre. With English subtitles, this is an Academy Award winner –for Best Foreign Language Film of 2009. Screening time 2.30pm. Rokpa Centre, 34 Quendon Road, Monavale. Tickets $10, includes tea/coffee and food. This film begins as a narrative about a couple in financial crisis. Daigo Kobayashi’s orchestra has unexpectedly disbanded and to save money he and his wife, Mika move back to his hometown in northern Japan. We have no way of knowing, and indeed neither do they, that this is the beginning of a journey of profound growth and discovery. Looking into the employment ads, Daigo finds a promising offer at what sounds like a travel agency. He applies at a quiet little office where the interview is brief and he is given the job. He discovers the agency handles travel, all right — to the next world. It is an “encoffinment,” or undertaking, business. Japanese society channels the mourning around death into a beautiful ritual that provides comfort to the bereaved. Nonetheless it appears that the role of funeral professional is not embraced for friends and family. This gorgeous film is very moving and provides us with a seat amongst the bereaved at the beautiful ritual preparing the dead for burial. The cello music that provides the soundtrack for this film is another good reason to come along and enjoy this art film.
Saturday July 16 – National Institute of Allied Arts Speech and Drama Festival Final Concert. 6pm, Performing Arts Theatre, Harare International School. Tickets available in advance from The Spotlight.
Sunday July 17 – Toyota 200 Motor Racing. Donnybrook Raceway, gates opening 10am. The fastest cars and bikes push it to the limit at the Toyota 200km endurance race and an adrenaline-packed day of great racing. Admission $5 for adults; children under 12 free. Bar and catering. Jumping castles for the children.
Tuesday July 19 and Tuesday August 2 – Morning Music Lecture Series – Learn to listen to music. This music lecture series is aimed at enhancing your appreciation of the music you listen to. Discover musical listening skills through a set of themed lectures. The theme of the lectures this term is entitled Men at Work. We will be exploring the impact of the working conditions of the four great composers of the First Viennese School on the music that they composed. Listen to and discuss works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. Speaker: Shirley Warhurst, venue: The Hive, 6A Kenilworth Road, Newlands. Time: 10:30am. Cost: $10 per lecture or $50 for the whole series. Bookings can be made by contacting thehiveharare@gmail.com
Wednesday July 20 to Friday July 22 – Mine Entra 2016. Hosted at the ZITF exhibition centre in Bulawayo. The 21st edition of this annual showcase for the mining sector. The theme for this year: Unearthing Opportunities. More from www.zitf.net or (09) 884911-6, or e-mail zitf@zitf.co.zw.
Saturday July 23 – Italian Day Fundraiser at the Italian Club. From 11am a fun-filled Italian day, with activities for the whole family, including social tennis, bocce, five-a-side soccer, Italian music, wine tasting, jumping castles, face painting, screenings of Italian animated movies, porchetta rolls, lasagne, pizza. Entry $5. Bookings for sports and games are essential. For more info please contact Robyn on 0773 365 232. Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/events/197062710691820/. 32 Quendon Road, Strathaven.
Saturday July 23 – DanceSport Championships. Combined winter/inter-schools championships. Italian Club, Quendon Road, 6pm sharp.  Schools competing from Harare and Bulawayo in ballroom, Latin and classical sequence dancing. Bar and catering by the Italian Club. Tables $15 p/p, single seats ($10), pensioners ($5), children under 10 or in school uniform free. More information and bookings please call 0776 270311 or 0772 302232.
Sunday July 24 – Meikles Hotel Centenary High Tea. Another in the regular series of splendid high teas with a talk on the history of this magnificent hotel, followed by a tour of the hotels and its surrounds. Open to everyone and highly recommended for family groups. Starts 3.30pm. Advance booking essential: call (04) 707721 or e-mail reservations@meikles.com.
July 26 – Fun quiz night (formerly at one67 and now at The Tin Roof!). Another in the fortnightly series of these quiz evenings, featuring an event for teams. Come along and join a team or bring a team, as newcomers are always welcome to join the ‘old hands.’ Arrivals 6.15pm onwards for a prompt 6.45pm start. No entry fee. Food available and the bar is open. Book by calling 0737 694383.
Wednesday July 27 to Sunday July 31 – Ballet Bouquet. A presentation by the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe’s National Ballet in collaboration with Cape Town City Ballet and HIFA. Preview for underprivileged children on Wednesday, 6.30pm. Gala night on Thursday at 7pm: theme will be Christmas In July, with tickets at $15. Friday and Saturday at 6.30pm, tickets $10. Saturday at 2.30pm, tickets $10. Sunday at 11am, tickets $10. Book at The Spotlight from July 11. Reps Theatre is the venue. Appeal for presents: the first performance of Ballet Bouquet on July 27 will be to an audience of underprivileged children. In an effort to bring them some extra joy, and to make this event even more special, we are appealing for present donations, suitable for boys and girls, aged between four and 16. Please could your present donation be: wrapped, with a tag on the bottom to say whether the gift is appropriate for a certain gender or age; valued between $5 and 10; something new, handmade or gently used. Please note that your gifts can be dropped off at the National Ballet Centre at 109 East Road, Belgravia by July 12, any morning Monday to Friday or Saturday afternoon. Any donation, big or small, will be gratefully received.
Friday July 29 – VAWZ Fundraising Golf Day. Wingate Golf Club. For teams of four. Individuals can also be teamed up with others. Call Di Fynn on 0772 357820.
Friday July 29 and Sunday July 31 – 60s to the present. Ovation and FaB Fusion band present a stage show that takes guests on a musical journey. Hosted by The Spice Lounge, 23 Lezard Ave, Milton Park. Friday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets $7 adults, $5 children and pensioners. $25 for show including lunch or dinner (three-course meal). Snacks also available. Bar open.
Saturday July 30 - Christmas In July at Inn On The Vumba. 7pm, with full Christmas fare. All in aid of Mutare SPCA. Tickets available for Mutare people from Fair Fabric, Karen’s Kitchen and Hollands. For people from out of town, why not come down for a weekend: book through (020) 61322 or 0712 865885, or through Armadillo Travel in Avondale, Harare: call (04) 302267.
Saturday July 30 – Family Fun Day. Gateway Primary School, Emerald Hill. Gates open 10am. Entertainment and stalls. Advance family tickets $10 (2 adults and 3 children). Tickets at the gate $3 adults, $2 children and pensioners. Stalls $50, include gazebo, chair and trestle table. Contact 0772 565 990 or 0773 247 203 for more information.
Saturday July 30 – Queen of Hearts Food and Crafts Fair. 11am to 4pm, Queen of Hearts, Enterprise Road/Hurworth Road, Highlands. $2 entry for adults, children under 12 free.
Saturday July 30 – the 2016 Christchurch Borrowdale Book Bonanza. The popular annual sales of books and other items at bargain prices. Open 9am to 2pm. No entry fee. Catering with refreshments available all morning plus lunch special. Entertainment from 12 noon by Alex Fairlie. Anyone wishing to donate books and other items (magazines, CDs, DVDs, board games etc) can drop these off at Christchurch (Crowhill Road, Borrowdale) or call (04) 870306 to arrange collection.
Sunday July 31 – The Verandah Gallery Charity Art Exhibition. The Verandah Gallery invites everyone to celebrate its 25th annual charity art exhibition. 10am to 4pm, 16 Woodholme Road, Emerald Hill. Lots of wonderful paintings by 70 Zimbabwean artists. The Detema Jazz Band will entertain and there will be a wine bar. The Soroptimist Vabatsiri Club will supply refreshments.  25% commission on all sales goes to The Emerald Hill Children’s Home and The Emerald Hill School for the Deaf. The Verandah Gallery 2017 Africa’s Palette calendar will also be on sale. Entry adults $3, children under 12 free. There will no doubt be cash challenges but we will ‘make a plan.’ (info@verandahgallery.co.zw)
August – the 2016 SPCA Blue Cross. The annual walking, running cycling event that takes participants from Zimbabwe’s lowest point near the confluence of the Save and Runde rivers to the highest point, Nyangani. You start when you need to suit your own pace (visit www.bluecross.com for advice) and everyone finishes together on Monday August 8. More information from Lynne 0772 470657 or Kirsten 0777 055803. E-mail mutarespca@gmail.com.
Sunday August 21 – VAWZ Vets Dog Walk. 7 am at Wingate Golf Club.
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
Wednesday August 31 to Friday September 2 – Association of Christian Schools International Southern Africa Christian Educators Conference. 8am each day at Gateway Primary School. Tickets $15 (includes teas, lunches and conference pack). Line-up of seasoned speakers, including Jacque Anderson (Miracle Missions) and a testimony by Tonderayi Chivhanga (ex Springbok). All parents and educators welcome. Visit acsi.co.zw or call 04335380 for more information.
Thursday September 1 to Saturday September 3 – Harare Chamber Music Festival. An new initiative. Details in due course, but diarise now. Venue will be Hellenic School and Hellenic Academy. More information can be sourced from Bridget Morris, call 0772 202644 or e-mail bsinclairmorris@aol.com.
Friday September 2 to Sunday September 4 – The annual St George’s College 20/20 Cricket Festival. Again sponsored by CABS, this year will see 12 schools  participating, including three from South Africa. Another exciting weekend of “smashing cricket.†More information, including news on corporate tents and the programme, contact Helen White at whiteh@sgc.ac.zw.
Thursday September 15 – 2016 Combined Senior Schools Concert. Featuring choirs and musical ensembles and orchestras from leading Harare and other schools. An annual treat of music with a line-up of superb young Zimbabwean talent. Arranged and organised this year by Chisipite School. Venue to be confirmed but should be Celebration Centre, home of the event for the past decade.
Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18 – The Annual Garden Show. To be held at Parklands, Greenhithe Lane, Borrowdale, from 8.30am to 4.30pm daily. This year’s theme is All About Flowers. Beautiful garden designs, plants for sale, lots of pots and garden accessories, special talks, great food, plenty of parking, wheelchair access. Entry $3 per adult and $1 per child and pensioner. Enquiries please call Robyn on 0778025742
Thursday September 22 and Friday September 23 – WASHEN, the water, sanitation and energy confex. ZITF, Bulawayo. More info from zitfmktg@zitf.co.zw, or call (09) 884911-6
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.
Friday September 30 – Tourism Golf Day 2016. In international tourism week, a fundraising event arranged by the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, to boost the council’s funds to work for the industry. Full details in due course, but diarise now. Enquiries: call Viv Jones on 0772 400448.
The Spotlight is Harare’s central booking office. It is situated in the Reps Theatre foyer, Belgravia Shopping Centre. Tel (04) 308159 or 0771 357204. It is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm, and on Saturday between 9am and 12 noon. It is also able to host online bookings and payments: visit www.thespotlight.co.zw. The Spotlight also accepts debit cards for payments; very useful in this time of cash shortages. To have your event placed on sale in The Spotlight call (04) 336706 or 335850
Some helpful information about school terms in 2016: Second term – ends: Thursday August 4. Third term: starts Tuesday September 6, ends:Â Thursday December 8;, half term: October 14 to 17. First term 2017 starts Tuesday January 10.
Join the Dante Alighieri Society. Created internationally to spread knowledge and appreciation of Italian culture, but not only for people of Italian descent. Benefits from membership. To find out more, contact Robyn Koen, Executive Director, Società  Dante Alighieri,
32, Quendon Road, Strathaven. Call 0773.365232, visit Facebook/DanteZimbabwe.
Maasdorp Avenue Market. Each Wednesday and Saturday at 11 Maasdorp Avenue (opposite Bottom Drawer- OUR NEW VENUE). 7.45am to lunchtime. A morning of shopping in a relaxed environment, with a variety of fresh and homemade products: Banting products, gluten-free products, goats’ cheese and milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes, savoury muffins, quail eggs, a variety of chocolate including Banting and sugar free, fresh juices, farm-fresh chicken, duck products, pickles, frozen pies and samosas, pita bread, homemade jams, free range eggs, Mozambican prawns and fish, Homemade Sausages, Indian Spices, Honey, Mushrooms, a large variety of beans and lentils to add to your winter soups and stews….Gorgeous plants and bulbs in season. Woven baskets and table cloths. Free tasters will be available of a variety of produce. Enter our competition to win a hamper. Ecocash and Meikles cash cards welcome.
Every Wednesday and Saturday – Upmarket Food Market. 12 Maasdorp Avenue (next door to the Bottom Drawer restaurant), 9am to 12 noon every Wednesday and Saturday. We have wonderful food and handmade crafts – fresh produce, organic veg, amazing bread, banting products, baked goods, delicious fudge, sugar-free sweets, nougat, yoghurt, cheese, ethnic food, fresh juices, chicken, sausages, smoked bacon, pickles, samosas, eggs, woollen items, jewellery, beadwork, paintings, handmade soap and so much more.
Enjoy the crisp winter mornings with a healthy walk or run through the Mukuvisi Woodlands this and every Sunday. By the time you have been to the rock pool and back you will be ready for a bacon and egg roll and a cup of coffee from our friendly breakfast gazebo. You may start your walk any time from 7am to 11am.Depending on the trail that you take, from 3km to 10km. you can be out in the fresh air for one or two hours or more. Entry fees are $5 per adult (visitor/runner/walker/biker), while children from five to 12 are $2, and there is a $1 per dog charge; senior citizens over 65: no charge. Dogs must be on leashes. Children on mountain bikes very welcome. With an annual (12 month) Woodland Walker membership ($50 single, $80 double, $120 per family, including children 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. Advice for walkers: best to wear a hat and take some water with you. You can buy bottled water before you start. The trails take you near the bird hide and small dam and then into the wild game area. Visitors with dogs must ensure their dogs are firmly secured and leashed. Having dogs on the leash is not only for the protection of your dog, but to stop them disturbing our wild animals. Anyone letting their dog off the lead in the wild game area will be banned from The Woodlands. Mukuvisi Woodlands is 5km from centre of Harare on Glenara Avenue/Hillside Road. Call (04) 747111/123 or 0774 198009.
The Spice Lounge in Milton Park offers Sunday Brunch every Sunday. 10.30am to 12.30pm. $12 per person for a mouth-watering selection of South Indian, North Indian and Indo Chinese dishes.
Dombombira: for a wonderful day out for the whole family. Large ancient cave painting sites, ancient grinding hollows,  trails to explore, rocks to climb. Museum, mini golf, pool table, childrens playground, adults scary aerial slide, rescued animals.  Braai and picnic areas.  Lots to see and do. Booking essential. 14 Mandalay Park Ruwa Cell 0772 868 577 cell/whatsapp 0772 466 683 Facebook: Dombombira, www.dombombira.co.zw.
News from Amanzi Restaurant in Highlands/Chisipite: The Shop Café @ Amanzi is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10.30am for coffee and cakes. Kerry Wallace is on hand to make all of your favourite Shop Cafe @ Amanzi dishes. The popular vegetarian buffet is available from 12pm to 2.30pm and we have a price reduction: now $12 (meat option available). It’s one of the fastest lunches in town, done in less than an hour and ideal for business folk. Call (04) 497768 to book. Got no cash? No problem – bank cards welcome
News from Drum Café: we have reduced our rates for 2016 by up to 20 percent and we have a great new commission offer to anyone interested. Please note we also have great special rates for schools this year. Drum Cafe is the world’s premier interactive team-building, performance and events company, with world-class facilitators backed by outstanding musicians. It is truly a unique service that is ideal for corporate team building and training, events, conferences, launches, weddings … anywhere there is a group or team of people gathered together. Contact Allan Kennedy for an appointment regarding Drum Café: visit www.drumcafe.com or call 0778 505162 or (04) 885200. Skype: Drum Cafe Zimbabwe, Facebook: Drum Cafe Zimbabwe
Inns of Zimbabwe offers some of the most competitive rates for accommodation in the Eastern Highlands, as well as some of the best hospitality in the country. Close to the sights and attractions of the area. Three inns to choose from: Inn On Rupurara and Pine Tree Inn at Nyanga, and Inn On The Vumba, just outside Mutare. Visit www.innsofzimbabwe.co.zw or pop in to Armadillo Travel in Harare, corner Natal Road and King George Road, to book or make enquiries.
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