Tafadzwa Zimoyo in Dubai
The Bridging the Gap Foundation team has left Harare for South Korea on an educational entertainment study tour to strengthen its technical and creative capacity ahead of the annual Celestial Soiree, scheduled for December 31 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
The week-long trip is expected to give the team an opportunity to study international entertainment production standards, event management systems, and technical innovations that could help transform the upcoming edition of the prestigious showcase.
The delegation comprises professionals drawn from different departments of the entertainment and events industry, including show production, event planning, event direction, media, camera operations, technical management, sound and lighting engineering.
Among those travelling are Rumbidzai Matinanga, Gamuchirai Mlalazi, Endelani Kachepa, Marshal Chikorowondo, Tatenda Rushwaya, Blessing Bhero and Kevin Zhou.
The study tour comes as the foundation intensifies preparations for Celestial Soiree, an event that has continued to bring together music, performance, production and entertainment while providing a platform for local talent to share the stage with international performers.
For the team, the Korean experience is expected to go beyond sightseeing, with the emphasis on acquiring practical knowledge, observing professional systems and identifying ideas that can be adapted to Zimbabwe’s entertainment landscape.
Team leader Mlalazi said the visit was an important investment in the people responsible for bringing the production to life.
“The importance of this trip is that it gives our team an opportunity to learn, observe and experience how entertainment is produced at an international level. We want to understand the systems, the technical requirements and the creative thinking that go into delivering world-class shows,” she said.
Mlalazi said the knowledge gained would help the team approach the upcoming Celestial Soiree with greater confidence, stronger technical expertise and fresh ideas.
“Producing a major show requires more than putting artistes on stage. It involves coordination, planning, sound, lighting, visuals, stage management, and ensuring that every department works together seamlessly.
“We believe this exposure will help us improve our standards and bring new ideas to the production of Celestial Soiree,” she said.
The participation of specialists from different departments is significant because modern entertainment productions increasingly depend on the integration of creative and technical teams.
While audiences often focus on the performers, the success of a major concert is also determined by what happens behind the scenes, from stage design and lighting cues to camera direction, sound quality, and the smooth movement of performers and equipment.
By exposing its personnel to international practices, Bridging the Gap Foundation is seeking to strengthen these areas and build a team capable of delivering a polished entertainment experience.
Mlalazi also expressed her excitement about the growth of Celestial Soiree and the opportunity to work with both local and international artists.
“I am very happy about what Celestial Soiree represents and the opportunities it creates for us to work with talented artists from Zimbabwe and beyond. Bringing different performers together requires careful planning, creativity and a professional approach.
“We want Celestial Soiree to continue growing, and we believe that learning from other markets will help us raise the bar and create an experience that audiences will remember,” she said.
