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Auxilia Katongomara and Courage Musariri
WINTER is over, summer is upon us! It is that time when the weather is favourable and a number of gigs will be lined up by promoters till the festive season.Revellers are at times spoilt for choice as there will be a plethora of gigs lined up during weekends.
To signal the “Happy Season” were highly explosive gigs held yesterday, where three of the top five ranked musicians in the country, contemporary reggae artiste Jah Prayzah, sungura masters in Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo and Alick “Zorai Butter” Macheso battled for Bulawayo.
Meanwhile Zvishavane’s leading entertainment joint Down Town Nite Club played host to Hosiah “Kwachu Kwachu” Chipanga.
Jah Prayzah and Peter are riding high on the local charts with their new albums.
Peter is making waves with Mushonga Mukuru, his first offering since the death of his father Tongai in 2011, while Jah Prayzah, was not to be outdone with his album which has the hit track Tsviriyo.
Saturday Leisure spoke to some local artistes on what they have to offer to their fans this season.
Bulawayo jazz crooner Jeys Marabini said his latest album was ready for release and would be out soon.
“My previous album, Jeys @40 is still doing well on the market, but I have something new to give my fans this summer.
“On 1 September, I will be launching my new album Silo. It’s a 11 track album which is different from my previous albums as it has both an international and local appeal,” said Jeys.
His album Jeys @40 released last year coincided with his 40th birthday celebrations.
Kwaito group Three Kings famed for their track Iseqamabhilidi said they were also in the studio working on a new album to be out before the festive season.
Vivacious dancer and singer Sandra Ndebele said she had lined up a number of shows and was working on promoting her album No Matter What released early this year.
“Fans must expect more of shows from us and I will not be releasing any albums as of now but would be taking my album to the people,” said Ndebele.
Sungura ace Alick Macheso said he was working on his latest album to be released end of next month.
“I want to give my fans an early Christmas present. I will be releasing an album, the album will feature an old sungura rhythm similar to the Khiama Boys sound, something I know fans love,” he said.
Macheso’s last offering Kwatabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure) was released last December but did not do well like his previous albums.
Dendera music icon Sulumani Chimbetu is expected to drop his sixth album sometime this year.
“I already have new songs most of which I am playing at my shows and fans love them. I am still doing my market analysis to see when it will be best to release my album,” said Sulu.
He said he will be coming back to Bulawayo for another performance in the near future and thanked fans for their continued support.
Ballers League spokesperson Babongile Skhonjwa said they had lined up an array of big shows.
“We have big things coming up this season though I cannot mention some of them, but we have seasoned artistes and that will definitely rock Bulawayo this summer.
“But what is definite is that we are doing the Kalawa Jazmee gig in December and a big gospel show in October,” said Skhonjwa.
He said among other activities the Ballers League was working on was unveiling a new clubbing spot in the city.
Most promoters and club owners in the city said they were working on the entertainment calendar for summer to revive the city’s night life.
Another promoter, Tapiwa Gandiwa owner of Royal Club said his has lined a number of big artistes to perform at his entertainment hub.
“We are starting with Jah Prayzah and this is just the beginning. Since it’s now summer, it is conducive for us to host big gigs every weekend. Fans should look forward to an interesting summer play list at our club,” he said.
Zvishavane which is proving to be an active entertainment town will be hosting Ndinonyara, hit maker Knox at Down Town Nite Club next Saturday.
The winter season is often characterised by low business and a number of joints in the city took the opportunity to close down and revamp ahead of the busiest time of the year-summer season.
Online Reporter