Phenomenal Festival of Lights gathers momentum

FROM Friday to Sunday, Gordon Park in Matopos will be the hub of artistic talent and lighting design enthusiasts as they converge for the second edition of the Phenomenal Festival of Lights. The festival is facilitated by renowned lighting designer Mildred “Lighting Bae” Moyo, who is pursuing her Masters in Light in Performance studies at Rose Bruford College in London.

The festival serves as a platform for artistes and service providers who use energy and light to promote their talents, creativity, and imagination. It aims to confront and dispel gender-related prejudices, hurdles, and preconceptions through the co-ordination of a female founder overseeing the procedures in the male-dominated field. Theatre, dance, poetry, and music are just a few of the artistic mediums that will be included at the festival.

The cohort includes Thandy Dhlana-Jele, Nasibo, Curry C, Vera, Matojeni Melo-Maniacs (MMM), DJ Yugoe, Klara, Reilo and Simz Masuku. Don’t miss out on this three-day extravaganza!

With a fresh vigour seen in camp, Saturday Leisure got up with various performers to find out how prepared they were. Veteran performers Nomathamsanqa “Nkwali” Mkhwananzi, Thandeka Patricia “Thandy Dhlana” Jele, Nolizwe Ngwenya, Mthabisi Moyo, and Bekezela “Sjure” Sibanda make up the cultural ensemble known as MMM. Blessings Nqo Nkomo (of Insingizi) serves as the group’s manager.

They will debut at the “Rhythms of the Matebele” concert, which was recently announced.

When MMM takes the stage, Nkwali promised an excursion and a trip down memory lane.

“We are going back in time to the era zabokhokho, ogogo, okhulu, omalume bethu. So, we taking those songs and adding a bit of what we have today but not changing the whole feel of the original songs because we want to keep that original feel. So people should expect something refreshing, soothing, and educative,” she said.

Nascent RnB and hip-hop singer Curry C said, “I’m so excited because it feels like I have been recognised by pioneers in the music sector. Most of all, am grateful to share the line-up with the greatest artistes that got lined up. Not so much words to express the excitement but greatly, I appreciate the offer for I believe the avenue will open more doors to this journey of art/music that we are pushing. For me, I takes it to be progress with in my craft hence I am preparing to represent the city and Curry C followers at large.”

Thandy Dhlana-Jele, who recently mesmerised fans at Jazz Session at the Academy of Music in Bulawayo when American band Birckhead toured, said she can’t wait to illuminate the place with her music.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to share my music with the rest of the people as I have just released a new song now with DJ Yugoe so fans can expect a well-polished performance,” she said.

Reilo Viekk and Simz Masuku, famous for their song with a Spanish guitar, “Settimo Cielo” said new guitar playing techniques will be on exhibit.

“I will be using various guitar-playing stunts, something different from the conventional way of playing the guitar. I introduced the Spanish way of playing the guitar and now, I will bring much more,” said Reilo Viekk.

The Phenomenal Festival of Lights comes after she recently held her inaugural Phenomenal International Lighting Masterclass at Bulawayo Theatre. — @MbuleloMpofu