adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
LOCAL artistes and arts bodies have bemoaned the closure of popular arts hub, Book Café — describing it as a major blow to the fraternity.Barely a year after the death of its founder Paul Roger Brickhill, the Book Café in Harare, which is credited for the rise of many artistes among them poets, musicians and comedians — closed shop this week weighed down by a $25,000 debt amassed over the years.
Tomas Lutuli Brickhill, who took over the running of the business from his late father, on Tuesday said: “I’ve decided to take a step back in order to re-strategise and restructure the business. It was a difficult decision to close the Samora Machel Avenue premises, but if Book Café is to have any place in the future of Zimbabwe’s arts and culture scene, I believe that our current course of action is unavoidable.”
Book Café was frequented by many famed musicians, including the late Chiwoniso Maraire, Andy Brown, Edith WeUtonga, Dudu Manhenga, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, Busi Ncube and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana. The venue also had numerous projects dedicated to promoting women under the Female Literary Arts and Music Enterprises (Flame) banner that bracketed programmes like the Sisters Open Mic Sessions.
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) expressed their shock at the closure describing the place as a venue whose objective was to promote and develop arts and culture in Zimbabwe.
“Most Zimbabwean artistes have in one way or the other benefited from Book Café’s activities which included live musical shows, poetry, stand-up comedy, literary readings, crafts, discussions and film screenings.
“The closure of this most vibrant venue is a serious blow to the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe,” said NACZ communication and marketing officer, Catherine Mthombeni.
“While we may take solace in Tomas Brickhill’s statement that, it is not going to be the end of the story as they will ‘re-strategise and restructure the business’ in order to open the new chapter of this strong brand, NACZ thinks there is scope to engage the Book Café management so as to find how the sector can help in saving this Zimbabwean heritage. The action of the Council will be guided by the information and vision of the Book Café proprietors and owners.”
Bulawayo artistes expressed disappointment over the closure of the venue which they said was assisting them to penetrate the capital city. “Last week, I was deejaying for POY as part of the #IAMHIPHOP initiative. I thought this was an opportunity for us to make inroads into the capital. It’s disappointing that it’s been closed,” said DJ Mark Vusani.
He said the arts sector had been robbed of a venue that was the centre to showcase their craft.
“I don’t think there’s such a venue that builds and cultivates artistes’ careers in Zimbabwe. It was the centre of arts development and many artistes who’ve made it performed there in the start of their careers,” said Vusani.
Musician Peace “BaShupi” Ndlovu whose career was boosted from performing at the Book Cafe said it was shattering that the venue had shut down.
“It’s heartbreaking to see such a wonderful place shut down. I had my first performance there in 2007 when the Book Cafe was still at 5th Avenue. It was an open mic session and this was where my career was launched,” said BaShupi.
He said up-and-coming artistes were the worst affected as the Café allowed them to use its facilities for free.
“Artistes could perform at the venue and use the PA system for free. I sympathise with up-and-coming artistes as they’ve been robbed of a venue that was going to give them that break in their careers like some of us,” said BaShupi.
The musician challenged government, through the NACZ to find ways to resuscitate the venue. The NACZ also urged government to invest in the country’s arts and cultural infrastructure by availing venues.
“Availability of venues for arts and cultural activities will ease one of the challenges artistes are facing of limited decent platforms where they can express their assorted talents,” Mthombeni said.
The Book Café was essential in keeping the genres of mbira and jazz in the mainstream sector despite competition from emerging music styles. It was also celebrated for playing a major role in the birth of stand-up comedy in the country. It was at this venue that comedians Doc Vikela and Simba the Comic King established Simuka Comedy, which became the first recurrent stand-up comedy night in the country.
Doc Vikela said almost all comedians in the country had performed at the Book Café.
“It’s a sad development and a dark day in our profession as comedians. The venue is credited for the creation and nurturing of many comedians’ careers. Now that opportunity offered by the Book Cafe is gone with its closure,” said Doc Vikela.
He said they were now hunting for alternative venues after efforts to pay the $25,000 debt proved fruitless.
“We tried holding benefit concerts this year for the Book Café, but to no avail. The focus now is for us to look for other alternative venues and just hope Book Café will reopen as soon as possible,” he said.
Book Café was founded by Paul Brickhill in 1997 as an expansion of his independent bookshop called Grassroots Books, set up in 1983. The hub operated at Fife Avenue shops together with a sister project, The Mannenberg. It later moved to Samora Machel.
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