Sundaymail EditorFaced with mounting piracy challenges, local artistes will this week unite for the International Artistes Day (IAD) celebrations to discuss various global trends of dealing with the scourge.
Piracy continues to affect the overall arts industry and currently it appears there is no solution in sight for dealing with the challenge.
IAD is an annual global event celebrated in various countries. It honours creative souls that can’t be captured in history books.
Artistes who will take part in the event on October 25 will get an opportunity to exchange notes on various ways that have been used to curb piracy globally. While piracy is a global crisis, other countries have come up with effective measures to curtail it.
In Zimbabwe, the issue of pricing, poor distribution networks and lethargy on the part of law enforcement agencies has been cited as the major reasons for the continued growth of piracy.
A month or so ago, Russian digital music service Zvooq closed a US$20 million Series A funding round led by local retailer Ulmart in a bid to boost official music distribution channels and curb piracy.
The company (Zvooq) with a catalogue of more than 15 million songs plan to spend the money on developing its service, which offers a mixture of paid downloads and subscription-based streaming music, while also striking distribution deals with mobile operators, handset makers and internet firms.
In an interview, Benjamin Nyandoro, director of Jive Zimbabwe, who are organisers and official partners of this year’s celebrations, said the event was not only going to dwell on piracy but other factors that affect artistes in their day-to-day operations.
Jive Zimbabwe is an arts management firm that also does corporate branding and runs an online music store.
“We are bringing together all artistes so that they showcase their talent. But during the celebrations, a number of deliberations will be made and resolutions passed. This is going to be done through workshops that will see us come up with positions which will be presented to different arts bodies including Government,” he said.
Nyandoro further noted the event was going to be a success since it coincided with the inaugural two-day Beer Festival to be held on October 24 and 25 at the Sunset Arena.
He said they had since forged an alliance with the organisers of the festival.
“l’m certain the celebrations will be a success. We are inviting every artiste and most of them will attend since they will be part of the inaugural Sunset Beer Fest that we have since partnered,” he said.
According to the Jive Zimbabwe official, artiste friendly packages facilitated through an agreement with CBZ bank will be launched during the IAD celebrations that will run for three days in Zimbabwe.
The packages will include, among other things, life assurance and banking services facilities.
“We have a solid programme that will not only be limited to issues of piracy but will also dwell on other factors that affect growth of the arts sector. And artistes selling their music through our online store will automatically qualify to be on the premiums.
“A US$1,50 sell will guarantee a premium cover of up to US$500,” explained Nyandoro.
Organiser of the Beer Fest and director of Devine Assignment, Biggie Chinoperekwei, confirmed partnering Jive Zimbabwe.
“They will be part of proceedings during the beer fest. Our events are taking place on the same day so we have facilitated that they be part of proceedings. Combining effort will be of advantage to both of us compared to running parallel events,” he said.
The IAD was founded by Chris MacClure, a Canadian artist who specialises in the style known as ‘Romantic Realism’. He created this day to bring recognition to the world of art, and to celebrate all the ways that artists use to bring their own special view to life.
The founders of the events note that the best way to support artistes is through buying their products through official channels and visiting arts centres like museums and art galleries.
Meanwhile, beer will cost as little as US20c per unit and US50c per pint while in other instances revellers will pay a token of US$5 entry charge and drink as much as they can on selected brands.
The in-form Zim Dancehall will be the theme on Friday (the opening day) rounding off as the sun rises Saturday morning. Performances will be the order of the day till Sunday morning as the show closes down.
The Sunset Beer festival is modelled along the lines of the Oktober Beer Fest in Germany.
Online Reporter