Bohlingers Woza 2015 party a damp squib

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE Bohlingers Woza 2015 New Year’s Eve Party at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo was a damp squib as only a few revellers turned up. At a venue which was a week ago filled to the rafters at the annual Kalawa Homecoming Party, the Woza 2015 Party had about 300 people coming to have fun. Even the prospect of DJ Cndo headlining the show could not coax the masses to come and party out in the open. It seems the incessant rains deterred some revellers from attending the party.

Below are the hits and misses of the show.

Hits Organisation
The show was well organised as by 2PM the stage and sound system was already in place for the festivities to begin. Entry to the venue was orderly and the people who were doing tagging and ticketing were efficient. A free beer on entry was also a good thing.

The police did not have a torrid time controlling the crowd getting into the venue and those who were inside. The beers were affordable and the party started promptly at 6PM and there was a firework display when the New Year dawned.

The crowd
Kudos to them for braving the wet weather and partying themselves to a standstill until the show ended at around 5AM.

The VIP section
This is where those privileged enough to mix and mingle with DJ Cndo were found. At least she stayed at the VIP lounge and chatted and was took pictures with fans until she left after 3.30AM.

Performances

Djembe Monks: were splendid in their performance as they brought their Tribal house set that has seen them called again and again to the Harare Festival of the Arts. Their track Mulikaboto has a deep house feel with a commercial house touch that Mzoe 7 brought on the vocals.

Calvin: The Luveve born hip hop artiste brought the same energy that got people on their feet at this year’s Zim Hip hop awards to the show. He set the tone for local DJ Kead Wikead to take over the decks for the countdown to 2015.

Local DJs Lady Pam, Mzoe, Khumz, Keitho and Noma that Girl: They all did their job of keeping revellers on the dance floor so much that they forgot they were being rained on during the night. Thumbs up to them and thumbs up to Delta for choosing them.

Misses Headliner
Delta Beverages did the same thing they did in 2013 by bringing a “has been” to headline their shut down show. For Woza 2013 it was DJ Ganyani and last year it was DJ Cndo and it has been the same outcome, low turnout. Someone at Delta is not in touch with what is happening in the showbiz industry in Bulawayo.

Treatment of local artistes
DJ Cndo was taken to the stage in the luxury of a car from the VIP area to the stage so that she was not rained on. It was the same case when she left the stage after a one and half hour set. Local DJs and artistes were not treated the same way. During the pouring rain for example, DJ Lady Pam was soaked when she went on stage to perform.

Sound
The sound at the show had glitches especially when Calvin of the Bebengakholwa fame began his set. This led to the loss of momentum prior to the countdown. People then stood to see what was going on.

Absence of a tent and serving warm alcohol
For three years in a row the rains have pounded on New Year’s Eve and for three years the organisers have not made provisions to have a tent for revellers. There is something wrong with being soaked at a party where you are buying drinks and food, just because you have a cheap ticket. On top of that the free beer that was being distributed as one entered the venue was served warm something that did not go down well with most revellers.