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A SERIES of events have been organised this weekend to ignite the summer. The winter season is blowing its last breath as warmer climate conditions are fast taking over, which certainly is a welcome development to merrymakers.Events, particularly outdoor, have been limited throughout the otherwise frosty period. But with summer now smiling upon us, promoters have also begun flexing.
Of course some people did not stop partying throughout the winter season, but the numbers will certainly swell with the coming in of a new season, which most party goers find favourable.
And warning shorts will be fired this coming weekend.
Talent bang at Ghetto vs Ghetto gig
This Saturday, August 6, dancehall lovers are in for a treat as the Glamis Arena plays host to the Ghetto vs Ghetto gig that will see talented underground chanters from various neighbourhoods battling it out for top honours.
Competitive lyrical clashes are part of the dancehall culture and their popularity among the genre’s fans cannot be disputed considering the numbers that have attended similar events in the past.
While this time around, the artistes who are taking part in this contest are not well known, the prospect of listening to new voices battling for supremacy will certainly create an explosive atmosphere.
By the time of going to print, more than 45 underground and unfortunate chanters from across the country had registered to participate in this year’s edition of the Ghetto vs Ghetto series.
After holding a similar event in 2013 which was graced by Jamaican superstar Turbulence, organisers Red Rose Entertainment decided to bring it back after realising the need to give upcoming talent an opportunity to shine.
“I realised in 2013 that we have a number of ghetto yutes that can make it big should they get proper support. And when we introduced it, the Mbare Kings − Seh Calaz, Kinna and Soul Jah Love won the series.
“We hope this time around we will also be able again to identify talent that will go on to conquer the music scene,” said Red Rose Entertainment boss, Barbara “Mai Red Rose” Chikosi.
Finalists who will make it into the top three will receive US$1 000, US$500, and US$250 prize money respectively in addition to recording contracts.
Aside from the main chanters showdown, organisers have added two more categories, the Clarks Contest for dancers and the Riddim Battle for producers.
And to spice up the gig, celebrated chanters who include Soul Jah Love, Kinnah, Dadza D, Celscious, Hwindi President and Dobba Don will be guest artistes.
These top artistes will be acting as ambassadors for their respective neighbourhoods and will certainly inspire the aspirants.
“People should come to the Glamis Arena in their numbers on August 6 to help in identifying fresh talent. Lots of prizes and recording contracts will be won by those who shall excel on the day. Also there will surprises on the day both for revellers and participants,” she adds.
All White bash for Seh Calaz
Prior to the Ghetto vs Ghetto show, there will be a hive of activity at Mbare Netball Complex on Friday, August 5, when Seh Calaz celebrates his 26th birthday with an All White Party courtesy of Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation. With the chanter’s huge following, especially in Mbare, this party is set to be supercharged. Artistes who are set to light up the stage at this bash include Killer T, Soul Jah Love, Dadza D and Tipsy just to name a few.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail Leisure, Seh Calaz’s publicist King George said the theme for the party was based on the desire to unite people from the ghetto.
“The theme is influenced by the desire to foster the unity and oneness that is part of everyday ghetto life, thus the white colour which represents peace and one love,” said George.
“The ghetto is one, we are one and the diverse line-up of artistes and DJs shows that we are united.”
Mbira vibe at Dzimbanete
Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions, located near Lion and Cheetah Park, will be hosting a mbira gig on Saturday, August 6, dubbed “Mbira Orchestra 2016: Mazwi Epasichigare”.
This event will be celebrating the seven original mbira musical tunes in one ensemble featuring some of the country’s top mbira artistes include Joyce Warikandiwa, Benita Tarupiwa, Chipo Wazara and Mbira Dzenhapitapi. This comes as good news to people who love traditional music but rarely get the opportunity to go and listen to it as such shows are minimal in the capital.
Kansiime strikes again
The stage is set for one of the biggest comedy nights of the year as Kansiime invades the Harare International Conference Centre this Saturday.
This will be the first time for a comedy show to be held at such a big venue and filling it up would be breaking new grounds in the local entertainment scene.
Stand-up comedy has been on the rise in the country with the number of people who appreciate the craft growing by the day.
When Kansiime visited the capital last year, she managed to stage a sold out show at 7 Arts Theatre and the promoters had to organise another show at the same venue in a space of 24 hours after the positive response and again the concert was sold out.
Kansiime will this time around be supported by local comics Q The Boss, Baba Tencen and beat boxer ProBeats.
High Tea Party on the cards
Women power will be the centre of focus this weekend when a group of enterprising ladies in Harare host the inaugural High Tea Party event to highlight the success stories of womanhood. A brainchild of a woman’s group dubbed Queen-Dom, the event will be held at the Maestro Lounge on August 6 and speakers will include one of the pioneer female neurologists in Africa Dr Jacqueline Maraire, entrepreneur Ms Elizabeth Magaya, United States embassy counsellor for public affairs Ms Karen Kelley, among others.
Speaking to Sunday Leisure last week one of the organisers of the event Miss Bernice Bore said the event seeks to connect women in the high rungs of society with those in the lower echelons.
“This is a unique event that we have come up with to celebrate women’s success stories while also exploring ways of how we can unite women who have made it big in society with the ordinary women from the rural areas.
“We will have successful women sharing their success stories so that they can inspire others. We hope that by sharing their stories, these women will be able to show the challenges that they have overcome.
Miss Bore said the highlight of the event will be a performance by top musician Jah Prayzah.
To spice up the event, ladies will get an opportunity to bid for a date with the musician.
“To add fun to the event, the highest bidder will have a chance to go on a date with him. The event will also be unique in that it will be held during the day,” she said.
Miss Bore said proceeds from the event will be given to charity.
“The event will include fundraising, whereby proceeds will be handed out to underprivileged females in society such as female ex-convicts, the disabled or underprivileged single mothers.” Other speakers the event include Olinda Chapel, Arthur Marara and Charles Mungoshi (Jnr)
Queen-Dom comprises six women from Harare who are out to promote the empowerment of females.
Something for the petro heads
After all the Zim dancehall noise has gone silent, with comedy lovers nursing their ribs, Belgravia Sports Club will be the place to be on Sunday, August 7, for car enthusiasts.
ZimToque will be hosting the fifth edition of Zimbabwe Auto Festival, an annual event showcasing the best in local motoring.
From the latest cars on the market to vintage rides, the cars on display will be a feast for the eyes.
The event has been growing every year and this time around organisers have promised it to be even bigger and better with several new twists to their programming. The event, which is sponsored by TOTAL, has incorporated burnouts into their programme so as to add the entertainment value of the festival.
Online Reporter