adminCourage Musariri Saturday Leisure Reporter
THE question people are asking this festive season is; “Where are Bulawayo’s dance masters, Iyasa?” The group will from this Sunday emphatically answer the question when it re-introduces the traditional “Iyasa Sunday Shows” to be held every Sunday at Archers Sports Bar in Paddonhurst.
The Sunday shows were a regular fixture at Archers before they were stopped five months ago due to Iyasa’s demanding European tour schedule.
In an interview, Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube said there was no better way to celebrate the end of the year than to be where Iyasa would be performing.
“We are happy with the re-introduction of the famous Iyasa Sundays, starting this weekend and we are promising fans quality entertainment. Archers Sports Bar is the place to be every Sunday, fans should come enjoy some top entertainment,” he said.
Dube said the Sunday gigs had been stopped because Iyasa runs different programmes in different countries which meant a busy schedule for them.
“People have been asking us where we have been and why we are not holding shows in the city as we used to. It’s always special to perform in front of a local audience and having friends as well as family supporting us provides extra motivation for us,” he said.
Dube said fans should expect to see a rejuvenated Iyasa with new eye catching dance routines.
“We learnt a lot during the course of the year and our tours have helped us to improve tremendously. We have so much to offer on the local market and we are raring to go. We want to entertain fans throughout the festive season through the weekly shows starting this Sunday,” he said.
Iyasa is Zimbabwe’s multi-award winning performing arts school for youths established in 2001 to support and promote the interests of young musicians, dancers, actors and poets.
The group has a talented and committed team of highly trained artistes in music, dance and drama.
Iyasa has become a household name in Zimbabwe and also carved a niche for itself as an internationally recognised organisation and ambassador of African performing arts and culture.
They have taken part in projects and performances locally, regionally and internationally in countries such as the US, Austria, Germany, Serbia, Czech Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, Malawi, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom among others.
Iyasa is an abbreviation for Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts which translates to Freedom for Young People School of Arts. Their motto is “There Goes the Morning Star” a pun on the name Iyasa which in IsiNdebele means sunrise. True to the imagery conjured by the name, the group seeks to bring light and opportunity to young artistes just like the morning star which heralds day after night.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter