Online Reporter
Langelihle Dube, [email protected]
There are events where music takes centre stage and others where food is the main attraction. Then there are those rare occasions where the two come together without either competing for attention.
That was the appeal of The Mix & The Menu, which returned on Sunday with another carefully curated afternoon that brought together music, food, family and community in a relaxed setting.
Curated by Bulawayo DJ and music enthusiast Bryce DJ Klasiq, the event continued to build on a concept that has become increasingly recognisable for blending two of his greatest passions – music and food.
Having been behind the decks for more than a decade, Bryce launched the concept as a way of creating his own platform while bringing people together around the things he loves. This latest edition showed just how comfortably The Mix & The Menu has grown into its identity.
More than just a gathering for music lovers, the event offered a family-friendly and social atmosphere where patrons could enjoy their meals, follow the afternoon’s football action and still immerse themselves in a carefully paced musical journey.
The music began with Thando Lewandowski, a student at NDS Academy, who was tasked with setting the tone for the day. Rather than forcing the energy from the outset, the young DJ delivered a measured opening set that allowed the afternoon to gradually find its rhythm. For an emerging DJ, opening an event featuring an established line-up can be a daunting assignment, but Thando handled the responsibility with confidence, laying the foundation for what was to follow.
Next up was MJ Sings, the Prince of Soul, who brought his distinctive hybrid style to the decks. Known primarily as a singer-songwriter, MJ Sings has built a reputation around a sound that blends soul, Afropop and electronic music. At The Mix & The Menu, he moved seamlessly between mixing and live vocals, creating a performance that was neither a conventional DJ set nor a straightforward live show. The result was one of the afternoon’s most distinctive musical moments.
Veteran DJ Sir Mindlocy then shifted the mood with a smooth Private School Piano set, leaning into nostalgia, melody and familiar sounds. Where MJ Sings brought soul and live musicality, Sir Mindlocy offered a selection that allowed the more seasoned members of the crowd to settle into the music and enjoy the afternoon at their own pace.
Jewz kept the momentum going with a selection of crowd favourites.
By then, the event had found its rhythm. People were eating, chatting and watching football, occasionally abandoning their conversations when a familiar song came through the speakers. That balance is perhaps what makes The Mix & The Menu work. Patrons are not forced to choose between attending a music event and simply enjoying a laid-back Sunday afternoon. The concept allows both experiences to exist in the same space.
When Bryce DJ Klasiq finally took over, the curator reminded the crowd why he had assembled the particular musical journey. Known for his love of deep house, Afro-house and Afro-tech, Bryce stayed true to that musical identity, working through a selection of Afro-house favourites while gradually lifting the energy without abandoning the relaxed character that had defined the afternoon.
It was a fitting moment for the curator to take centre stage. Bryce’s journey is closely tied to the idea of creating opportunities for himself and other creatives. Having previously spoken about growing tired of waiting for promoters to offer him headline opportunities, he instead chose to create platforms where he could showcase his craft while opening doors for others. The Mix & The Menu is perhaps the clearest expression of that philosophy. It is not simply an event, but a statement about what a Bulawayo entertainment experience can look like when music does not have to exist in isolation.
By the time Sonare stepped up, the afternoon had already travelled through several musical moods. But Sonare was not there to gently ease the crowd towards the finish. The DJ injected fresh energy into the gathering as the sun began giving way to the evening. Those who had spent much of the afternoon comfortably seated started paying closer attention to the decks, with conversations becoming shorter and heads moving more deliberately to the music. The event was entering its final stretch, but Sonare made sure it did not feel like one.
Closing duties then fell to Pito ZW, who appeared to understand the assignment perfectly. Rather than simply playing a final set and bringing the day to a quiet end, Pito ZW treated the closing slot as an opportunity to squeeze the last bit of energy from the venue. If the earlier sets were the courses, Pito ZW provided the dessert.
Away from the decks, the other half of The Mix & The Menu experience was unfolding on the plates. Throughout the afternoon, patrons enjoyed meals from a specially curated menu that reinforced the central idea behind the event — that food and music can coexist without one overpowering the other. The menu featured flame-grilled T-bone steak, tender cow hooves, flame-grilled boerewors and chicken stew, served with a choice of rice or pap and green vegetables.
With football matches also playing during the event, the atmosphere felt less like a conventional music show and more like a relaxed Sunday gathering. And that may ultimately be the secret behind the concept. People were not merely attending a gig. They were spending an afternoon together.
Another notable feature was the presence of MK Visuals, with photographer Makanaka Marijeni documenting the day’s experience.
As a photographer living with a disability and who is partially deaf, Marijeni’s presence behind the lens added another dimension to an event already centred on different forms of creativity. It also highlighted the importance of creating spaces that recognise and accommodate talent that is often overlooked.
What The Mix & The Menu continues to get right is its understanding that audiences increasingly seek experiences rather than simply a line-up of performers.
The latest edition brought together an emerging DJ, an established soul artist, veteran selectors and energetic performers, each contributing to a musical journey that unfolded gradually throughout the day.
It gave families somewhere to spend their Sunday, music lovers something to enjoy, food enthusiasts a carefully prepared menu and football fans another reason to stay.
Most importantly, it created a space where Bulawayo’s creative community could simply come together. For Bryce DJ Klasiq, The Mix & The Menu has come a long way from its original idea of placing his love for music and food in one space. Previous editions have seen the format evolve through collaborations, specially curated menus and different approaches to the overall experience.
Sunday’s edition suggested that the concept is still growing — and that its recipe of good food, carefully selected music and community is one worth returning to.
Ends///
