Pomp, fanfare as Book Cafe reopens

the Book Café  — now located along Samora Machel Avenue — is livelier and appears set to reclaim its status as the melting pot of the arts.
For two consecutive days since Friday last week, the venue was a hive of activity, drawing multi-cultural crowds for grand opening concerts featuring a host of artistes.
Sadly, the opening night coincided with the death of legendary singer, songwriter and composer Andy Brown, who died on Friday from pneumonia.
Musician after musician paid their respects to Brown who was affectionately known as “Muzukuru” in the music industry.
Alexio Kawara, whose hit song “Shaina” features Brown on guitar, described the death of “Muzukuru” as a sad loss to the music industry.
He and his backing group Shades of Black put up a spirited show that delighted the audience.
Up next was Josh Meck, whose music is composed of different elements, made his presence felt on and off the stage. Meck’s music has really changed for the better now that he plays the acoustic guitar and has included the djembe drum for his signature sound.
Percussive jazz maestro Victor Kunonga was simply on point and he literally tore the roof off with an amazing delivery just before midnight.
Kunonga churned out his favourite hits including “Handinete” and “Kuenda Mbire” that left the crowd calling for more. Somewhere towards the end of the song, Kunonga teamed up with Mawungira Enharira and introduced the group members by their totems.
In the middle of the song the sound changed when Mawungira Enharira members played their shakers and ngoma in unison with Kunonga’s acoustic guitar.
The crowd went wild and loved every minute of it.
The Norton-based group then sealed the concert with a thrilling performance signalling the return of Book Café.
Paul Brickhill, the owner of the joint, defended his decision to open the hangout before it was fully completed saying that improvements — including a kitchen, bookshop, functions rooms, project office and back garden — will be made throughout the coming weeks.