Drum festival roars into life

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
THE Drum Festival roars into life tonight with drummers converging for the annual event.

Carlton Muparutsa, Obert Gomba, Simba Dembedza, Denis Mushaishi, Praymore Dzuwa, Ronald Mdhuli, Prince Dzuwa and Agrippa Shadaya are among the performers.

Muparutsa, who is Suluman Chimbetu’s drummer and co-ordinator of the event, said all is set for the festival.

“We have managed to get sponsorship and everything is now in place for the event,” he said.

He said they will be filming the event and upload the show on YouTube so that people, even those in the Diaspora, can see their works.

“We want people out there to see that we have talented drummers, so the whole event will be filmed.”

He said they have worked hard to improve from their previous editions of the festivals. “

We hosted the inaugural event in 2013 and it was successful. A lot is expected on the event as top drummers are expected to perform,” he said.

Solo performances will open the show as the drummers showcase their skills. “

“We have drummers who work with different musicians, so we need them to showcase their talents to the audience,” he said. After the solo performances, they will all go on stage for an impromptu joint performance.

Guest artistes, among them afro-jazz maestro Victor Kunonga and “Runonzi Rudo” hitmaker Pah Chihera will join on the unrehearsed performance.

“We have artistes who will grace the event to spice it up,” said Muparutsa.

“I believe Zimbabwe is full of talent and we have to unearth it and prove to the world that we have the expertise,” he said.

He said they want to make the event an annual show. “We might face financial problems but our wish is to make the event an annual gig. We also have plans to take it to other parts of the coun- try.”