The day Kalawa came to town

I AM writing on this piece a happy man. As you read, do not forget that there is a big show in Bulawayo tonight. You would not want to enter 2015 with regrets, if you fail to attend.

The trending conversation is about Kalawa’s Homecoming show. It is the season to be jolly and I see no shame in having the best of entertainment as we wind up the year.

Festive season culture demands one to be a free spirit and the best way to achieve that is through sound entertainment. One fascinating thing about this time of the year is that most people let loose. The strictest church-goer will not help but find themselves in the midst of secular activities. If you thought fun was for the beer drinkers and clubbers, you are lost. Year-end parties reveal the inner traits in us. No one must lay blame on introverts that go wild on entertainment.

So go on and celebrate!

Besides the usual loud noise and family reunions, we all have an uncontrollable appetite and thirst. Food is at our disposal yet our stomachs are small. People are eating and drinking everywhere. Indulgence is the in word.

With festive season celebrations, it is only entertainment and food that make the right combination of enjoyment. It’s unimaginable to play music and not have a plate and beverage by the side, unless one is broke. Although some sections of society have little to celebrate, the love shared around is bound to help end the year with a smile.

Simply put, as we revel, let’s do it together. There is no great a celebration than that involves a lot of people. Do not play loud music alone. Call a friend and a neighbour, I am sure you will have a better definition of entertainment in December.

The norm in the urban culture is that festive celebrations are best done in the comfort of one’s home. That has changed though over the years with the rise of open air concerts, there are some of us who cannot keep indoors.

Thankfully, partying away from home has been met with a lot of support. It’s not only teenagers or groupies that want “real” entertainment, even old folks are tempted.

Go to Kalawa’s Homecoming show this evening and you will see how cosmopolitan the audience is. The entertainment menu is way too irresistible. That pastor friend of mine is sure going to pay to revive memories of listening to Kwaito’s legends like Mdu and Mandoza. We have listened and attended Oskido’s performances, but the yearning is on yesteryear greats that are coming to Bulawayo for the first time.

Having a full stomach and sipping on my favourite drink, I cannot wait to dance to Mdu’s Chommie Yabana and Mandoza’s Godoba. Music lovers that embraced kwaito in the 1990s are familiar with the nostalgic feeling. Those born after 1989 are forgiven for they do not know what they missed. The best way to discover original Kwaito is to make way to Queens Sports ground tonight. This is no advertising spin. There is no better show than this one. Your parents will understand when you ask for a night out with Oskido and Mdu.

Besides the reverting beats of Mzansi, this show brings in those years when being a teenager was full of fun, when you played with that friend your mother warned you of several times, when sneaking out to a concert as your parents fell asleep was so cool.

Some will probably sneak out tonight. By tomorrow an angry wife will be waiting for her party animal. We might as well take this chance to apologise on behalf of all who will choose to sneak out. Forgive all the party animals that will secretly attend tonight’s show. Parents who will wake up to find their sons and daughters not in bed have to know it’s because of Kalawa.

Oskido and crew are unavoidable showbiz gurus. They are followed like gods. Not little gods, but the type that is worshipped world over in entertainment circles. Go on and spend that last dollar to buy a ticket to the Homecoming show. Will you stay at home, staring at your wallet and fail to grace the grand occasion?

No matter how thin or fat that wallet is, some gigs are worth attending. Having conversed about the loads of food we ate during Christmas, the only way to burn the accumulated calories is to go and dance to Kalawa’s performances.

One does not have to fret about going to the gym in January. Tonight offers the platform to “kill” that extra fat. Families and friends that missed out the opportunity to be merry might as well find themselves on the queue at Queens Cricket grounds.

Local entertainers have to learn a lot from the South African music gurus. The advice to Bulawayo performers is that they should not ask for a recording deal from Oskido and company. Please show them what you are made of before you beg.

By tomorrow morning, we will hopefully meet on good stories. After all, it is the season to be jolly.

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