admin
Trust Khosa
OCTOBER is ruling the roost on the showbiz calendar regarding high-profile events.
The 10th month of the year is laden with exclusive parties, festivals and breath-taking anniversaries.
International celebrities have continued to visit Zimbabwe’s shores for performances, giving fun-loving people variety.
Below are some of the major highlights of the weekend with international flair:
Burning Spear’s Timely One People Africa Tour
Glamis Arena in Harare is the only place to be tonight when it hosts Jamaican roots-reggae crooner, Burning Spear.
The 79-year-old jetted into Zimbabwe midweek as part of his “One People Africa Tour”, courtesy of Sound System Club and Friends of Jamaica.
He came along with his full band.
Mannex Motsi leads an array of local acts providing cover at this event.
These include Cello Culture and Transit Crew, Killer T, Merciless, MC Fydale, Judgement Yard Banso Da MC and popular songbird Feli.
Born Winston Rodney on March 1, 1945, in Saint Ann’s Bay in Jamaica, the superstar is a true icon who stands for black people’s rights.
Some of these compositions include ‘Marcus Garvey’, ‘African Teacher’, ‘Obsession’, ‘Cry Blood’, ‘Open the Gate’ among others.
His visit has been embraced by the reggae community yearning for international stuff. Last year, British reggae outfit UB40 led by Ali Campbell performed in Harare.
The late Bob Marley paved the way for other Jamaicans when he performed at Rufaro Stadium, Harare in 1980 during the Independence celebrations.
Other Jamaican acts that have performed in Zimbabwe over the years include Morgan Heritage, Busy Signal, Cocoa Tea, Capleton, Buju Banton, Luciano, Fantan Mojah, Morgan Heritage, Sizzla Kalonji, Mavado, Elephant Man, Popcaan, Chris Martin, and Beenie Man.
Biggest Braai Fest Beckons
Hordes of imbibers and meat lovers are in for a real treat tomorrow when this year’s Castle Lager Braai Fest returns to Old Hararians. As expected, tonnes of meat and litres of beer will be consumed at the annual festival.
Entertainment-wise, South African dancing sensation, Kamo Mphela, is expected to provide a regional flair.
The 24-year-old, who rose to fame as an internet celebrity, is famed for her dancing skills in South Africa.
She used to post her videos of dancing on Instagram, attracting the attention of big stars in South Africa. Mphela is not only a dancer but a singer who has released club-bangers like ‘Twente’, ‘Suka Emabozen’, ‘Meneme’ and ‘Sbwl’, with which she collaborated with South African singer, Busiswa.
Festival goers cannot wait to spend the day along with Mphela. On the local front, Winky D will be in charge along with red-hot Zimdancehall chanter Master H and rap sensation, Saintfloew.
Variety is guaranteed at this festival where fans will be treated to Zimdancehall, trap, house and Zim Hip Hop, which has maintained its dominance.
Mutare, Hwange imbibers taste Chibuku brew
Manicaland and Matabeleland representatives at this year’s Chibuku Road To Fame national finals will be selected tomorrow in Mutare and Hwange, respectively.
Ten groups drawn from Manicaland will battle it out for the solo ticket at the provincial finals slated for Mandel Beerhall in Watsomba.
In Matabeleland North, 10 groups will compete for a spot to represent the province at Lwendulu Beerhall, Hwange.
To date, event organisers have selected finalists for other provinces.
Last weekend, Bulawayo’s representatives – Music to Music – were selected at KoNjabulo Elangeni Beerhall.
Gospel outfit, Pilgrims of Christ, will represent the province at the national finals. Other selected finalists comprise Afro-fusion, The Outlaws from Harare, Fugues Band (Matabeleland South), The Cousin (Midlands) and Shanty Town (Mashonaland Central).
Meanwhile, the Mashonaland West provincial finals will take place at Hustlers Bar, Murombedzi on October 26.
Chihambakwe Beerhall in Triangle will also host the provincial finals for Masvingo province on the same day.
A stiff competition is guaranteed in Masvingo which is famed for producing top musicians in this contest.
The grand finale will be held on November 9 in Harare at a venue to be advised.
The national winners will receive US$15 000 prize money plus a recording contract, while the second and third finalists could win US$ 7 500 and US$5 000, respectively. Midlands Afro-fusion outfit, 911 Band, won last year’s edition.
Murumba Pitch finds love in Zim
Celebrated South African amapiano outfit, Murumba Pitch, commands a huge following in Zimbabwe.
Hailing from Venda in Limpopo province, the group hardly disappoints each time they visit Zimbabwe.
The group will be in action at Shisanyama Phonix Eyadini in Gwanda tomorrow. After this affair, the group will proceed to Chinhoyi for another show at Jongwe Corner on Sunday. They will wrap up their tour with another ‘meet-and-greet’ session at Pabloz in Harare.
Jeys celebrating 34 years in music
Bulawayo’s most sought-after crooner, Jeys Marabini, will celebrate 34 years in the music industry.
Marabini will hold the celebrations at The Academy of Music in Bulawayo tomorrow. He will share the stage with South African saxophonist and producer Steve Dyer, Mzoe 7, Thandi Dyana and Pakare Paye’s brightest product Ashton “Mbeu” Nyahora. The gig starts at 8 pm.
Chipfumo’s night of progress
Steakhouse Pub & Grill in Waterfalls, Harare, will come under the limelight today when it hosts Progress Chipfumo’s eighth album launch. Titled ‘Hope’, the album is set to show the other side of Chipfumo as an evolving star. Sulumani Chimbetu, Dorcas Moyo, Kireni Zulu and Sasha Amadhuve are expected to grace the event.
Online Reporter