Tuku’s homecoming party

Entertainment Reporters
Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi who has been missing in local action for a couple of weeks following his international tour is back and tomorrow he stages his first show at Misty’s, one of the upmarket joints in the capital.Mtukudzi or simply Tuku to his fans, ended his European and North American tour in Calgary, Canada on April 26 before heading home.

The climax of that tour was when he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by NTM Global Promotions and the Association of Zimbabweans in Calgary.

Jason Luan, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary Hawkwood was tasked with presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Tuku.

Tuku had last played in Calgary in 2012 and the reports are abound that the legendary singer did not disappoint as he played hit after hit for more than two hours.

But tomorrow’s gig at Misty’s will not be like any other show since it marks his return to home soil. There is so much to look forward to at the gig and as is always the case with the “Todii” hitmaker there are new songs to be sampled and a new set to be introduced.

However, the party at Misty’s begins tonight when Afro-fusion songstress Tariro NeGitare plays at the venue at Newlands Shopping Centre where she is building a firm fanbase.

Tariro NeGitare, who is among the few groups like Prayer Soul and well known Mokoomba that have done exceptionally well outside Zimbabwe, will turn on her style to thrill the audience.

She has toured Germany on a number of occasions and shared the stage with renowned performers in the mould of superstar Tuku.

Hinting about tonight’s show at Misty’s Tariro burst with excitement.

“The show is coming at the most appropriate time when I performed before a sell-out crowd at HIFA. So the energy and vibe is still high. So yes, it will be a show of refined music and those who want to be entertained should come and feel the music,” the 29-year-old beauty said.

She also promised to perform a mash-up of her old and new songs from the upcoming album simply titled “Heavy Heavy”.

The word “heavy” in street lingo is an assurance of something great and out of this world.

Tariro was first introduced to music by a friend, Charmaine Chitate, who invited her to a Sistaz Open Mic event held at the Book Café, by Pamberi Trust under the FLAME project.

It was at that platform that she linked up with Edith weUtonga (then called Edith and So What?!) and became the guitarist for the band.

She continued to gain experience and played for other artistes including Diana Samkange and Cathy Mhlanga.

Tariro grew from strength to strength and then partnered with Cathy Mtezo Mhlanga to form the duet Juvenation.

Cathy had to leave and join her husband in South Africa, so there was pressure for Tariro to start her own outfit, hence the birth of Tariro neGitare.

“Tariro neGitare”, her self-titled debut album, is a celebration of every experience that she has gone through to date, and how each experience has made her the young, vibrant woman she is today.

Besides music, Tariro is an entrepreneur. She runs an events and promotions company called Wildfire Africa.

She also runs a retail business that promotes African-inspired products called Chihera.

She is also a founding trustee of Magitare Trust, which focuses on the growth, and development of the arts and culture sector.