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Popular arts venue Book Cafe founder Paul Brickhill is fighting cancer. Tomas Brickhill, Paul’s eldest son and a popular multi-talented artist in his own right, said the family was going through difficult times ever since his father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “It’s been very difficult and quite shocking because these things are often misunderstood. However, we are coping as a family because everyone is supportive, including some of his children from South Africa. The doctors are doing their job and we are hoping for the best,” he said.
In a telephone interview with The Herald Entertainment yesterday Tomas said the 56-year-old Brickhill who was hospitalised for radio therapy is now continuing treatment at home.
In a gesture of solidarity with the man who has provided a platform to launch many performing artists in Harare, musicians will today hold a rainbow presentation of great African music at the venue.
An initiative of the Zimbabwe star Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and his drummer/manager Sam Mataure, tonight’s gig will feature both “big names” in the local music industry and artistes who are growing steadily in the popularity stakes in Zimbabwe, and opening with emerging artists who are still in the early stages of their careers.
In a Facebook post Mataure said, “Tuku wants to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Paul and the Book Café for artists of Zimbabwe, many of whom who have risen to wide acclaim thanks to the platform provided for us here. Many consider Book Café to be their musical “home”.
Mtukudzi posted on his Facebook page: “Shamwari yedu Paul Brickhill we wish you a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with you nemhuri yeku Book Cafe. Kusimba nekupora.” (Our friend Paul Brickhill, we wish you a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with you and the Book Café family”.
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