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Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
WITH preparations for the October Summer Festival now at an advanced stage, excitement has gripped Manicaland.
The wait is almost over.
This year’s event is billed for October 28 at Osborne Dam and it promises to be the best ever as live bands have been included on the itinerary.
Jiti music proponent, Baba Harare; man-of-the-moment and rejuvenated singer, Saintfloew; exciting instrumentalists, Shabach The Band; as well as an array of local artistes form part of the cast expected to light the venue on fire.
The venue itself is a marvel.
Besides the star-studied line up, thousands of revellers expected to flock the tourism site will have a beautiful outing as they get a date with nature, enjoy the cool breeze and the waters waves, sun bath, swim, cruise on the boats and relax in a background of sweet jingles from exotic and indigenous birds.
The lake stretches for 16km up to Odzi River and 15km along Nyatande River.
Other activities such as colour run, glow in the dark, cooking competitions and horse riding are expected to entertain fun lovers and add sparkle to the event.
Baba Harare has carved a name for himself, thanks to his danceable Jiti tunes.
Of late, he has won the hearts of many after releasing well-arranged slow beats such as Prove Them Wrong which features Voltz and Ndini Ndinaye, featuring Gemma.
He is a great live performer who connects well with the audience.
Saintfloew is currently one of the country’s sought-after musicians and he is expected to put up a top drawer performance.
Some of his sing along songs include Ndega Handigone, Super Star featuring Delroy, Mutemo Wemukombi and Silas Mavende.
Shabach The Band, popular for blending local and international music and technology to deliver high standard live performances, are also expected to fire up the event, while Templeman will be a great appeal to the audience, especially Zim-dancehall lovers.
However, the list of Mutare-based artistes is not yet available.
Organisers of the event — Diamond FM and ZimParks — said it is all systems go.
Diamond FM’s marketing executive, Peter Madondo said: “We are in the process of weaving yet another exciting event. As always, revellers should expect real fun and a cocktail of scintillating activities.
“As Diamond FM, we want to ensure you that we always put up memorable events and the Summer Fest is not an exception.”
Last year’s event brought scores of people from across all ages.
Visitors and fun lovers, especially first timers, viewed the dam in awe, while the calm waters provided peace and tranquility.
Others took the opportunity to tour the areas surrounding the dam as they enjoyed some Kodak moments.
As the sun set around 6pm, the red-orange hue that permeated the horizon mesmerized many.
Security checks were on point, while the food and beer stalls were well-spaced, thereby giving revelers ample breathing space.
Disc jockeys Spy, Meek tha Deejay, Marvel, Swat Sound and The Lync (from Rusape) were a marvel on the turntables.
Diamond FM deejays Kritic Igwe, Lampy, Speedo, Tadiwacho and Mutape Siduna, among others, also took turns to interact with and entertain fun lovers.
Comic dancer and entertainer, Ajigija, proved popular with kids as the event turned out to be a family fun day.
Most adults remained at the venue up to around 10pm when the on fire deejays curtained off the event.
Online Reporter