dyton mupawaenda
Entertainment Editor
The organisers for world-class awards- the Oscars or the popular Baroque Orchestra Music Concert dinner in Vienna, Austria, would turn green with envy if they watched what happened on New Year’s Eve in Harare.
The location was Glamis Arena, where award-winning gospel musician Everton Mlalazi, staged a classic and epic concert to end the year in style.
Dubbed, ‘Hymnal Night- Celestial Chorus Soiree’, the event was strictly by invitation; guests were expected to dress to the nines, their best for the last day of the year.
The event went according to script. Mlalazi is not new to such a feat as he has always been hosting well-choreographed shows, but this one was exceptional.
According to the invites, guests were given hints on what to dress like, with a programme and roadmap on how the event was to roll out.
Kudos to the services of Kevin the Wedding Planner who was engaged by the Mlalazi team, who decorated the place to make it more like a Hollywood set with candles and flowers all over matching the enticing theme.
Even social media gurus and regional artistes who saw the set on social media saluted Mlalazi for ending the year in style.
It would be myopic not to talk of the fireworks ceremony hosted at the event, where guests went out from the hall to witness the fireworks display that ushered them into the new year.
The hymnal songs were part of the Seventh Adventist Church but the climax of the event was that it attracted high profile gospel musicians who were part of the show.
The list included Janet Manyowa, Rudo Madindi, Canaan Nyathi,. Lebo Sekgobela, and of course the main attraction, Everton Mlalazi.
The father and daughter moment featuring Everton and Natasha should not be ignored as they left an indelible mark with their performance.
Mlalazi is happy that his legacy is safe with his daughters also venturing into music and art.
Since it was a gospel event, there was no competition, everyone was singing for the Lord. Mlalazi managed to unite popular choral groups that were part of the act as backing vocalists for the top artistes, apart from staging their merit.
On the choral groups, the list also included The Vine, The Unveiled, and Worship Therapy who stole the limelight as they gave worshippers a memorable crossover night.
He came, he saw, and he conquered, proving that he ranks among the best gospel artistes in Africa as he calmly and flawlessly went through his pace during his segment, leaving the fans clamouring for more.
It was a night to remember, indeed.
Mlalazi said it was a beautiful way to end the year and the event was inspired by life itself.
“It is a celebration of life, looking it from how we have lost our loved ones, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic era,” he said.
“One person who is here was in a coma for about 37 days during that time and is a testimony that God can heal, can make things possible. So I chose to celebrate the end of 2023 in style, giving fans what they wanted, the glitz and glam.”
He said 2023 was amazing and a learning curve as he got to travel and perform at a regional level.
“In worship, it is not about competition or surpassing the level you have done before, but it is what God is giving you. We wait to see how what is in store. What you have witnessed here has been recorded and we are to release it in 2024. The Vine is celebrating 10 years, I am going to be working on an album and we are going to have some major collaborations,” explained Mlalazi.
Online Reporter