The Book Cafe & Mannenberg, 12-20 December 2008
SPECIAL THIS WEEK
SAT 13, 2-5pm, SISTAZ OPEN MIC – Reflections 2008 & Resolutions 2009. Come on out Sistaz - This is UR space, come do UR thang! Song, Dance, Poetry, Whateva - An open mic platform for women artists, in the safety of daytime! - Register with Rudo B4 2pm on 793182, 792551.
A project by Pamberi Trust, supported by Hivos.
MON 15, 7pm, BOCAPA XPOSURE presents EDENE – R’n'B - young, funky, soulful, hip. A Pamberi Trust youth project supported by Hivos
WED 17, 5.30pm, LITERARY DISCUSSION – ‘BOOK OF NOT’ by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Speakers: Mandi Chikombero (Ohio Univ) and Josephine Muganiwa (UZ), chaired by Ruby Magosvongwe (UZ).
SAT 20, 2-5pm, BOCAPA XPOSURE OPEN MIC afternoon – your chance to shine! A platform for aspiring artists to show off their talent & potential. To perform, Register B4 2pm with Mandla. A Pamberi Trust Project supported by Hivos
SUN 21, from 6pm-1am – YOUNG ARTISTS UNITE on Unity Day Eve – A 7-hour spectacular featuring hot young groups on the block - Josh & Daniel Meck, Victor Kudakwashe, Reverb, Hope Masike, Tendai Manatsa, Chabvondoka!
MON 22 , BOOK CAFÉ & MANNENBERG CLOSED FOR UNITY DAY Read more
HIFA 2009 Call for Artists!
The Harare International Festival of the Arts is now accepting artist applications for the 2009 edition of the festival. HIFA celebrates its 10th anniversary next year and the internationally acclaimed festival is set to put on its biggest event ever.
Artists from all artistic disciplines are invited to apply. Forms are available from the HIFA website. (www.hifa.co.zw). They can also be collected from
- National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Marondera, Gwanda, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Mutare, Masvingo
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare
- The Zimbabwe College of Music
- Dance Trust of Zimbabwe
The deadline for artist form submissions is 29 December 2008.
HIFA 2009 will be held from 28th April to 3rd May.
Switching on of Christmas Lights, Sam Levy’s Village

Young children dressed in nativity constumes during the switching on of Christmas lights and singing of carols at Sam Levy’s Village on Friday 5 December 2008 (Photo: Jekesai).
Leander’s programme so far
The story goes on. There have been discussions going from midnight until now, below is summary of programmes that has been broadcast:
Midnight to 0500hrs
Music and important HIV and AIDS messages
0500 to 0600hrs
Reflections/Ndangariro/Siyakhumbula
There was a compilation of music in memory of those who have died as a result of AIDS. Leander was taking calls from those who lost their relatives to AIDS related illnesses, the he also gave a brief backgound of HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe over the years dating back to 1984 when the first case was reported, bringing out how HIV was considered a death sentence, unavailabilty of ARVs, stigmatisation and discrimination
The Power Breakfast Show - 0600 to 0900hrs
The story continue with sharing of info relating to the key drivers of Zimbabwe’s epidemic issues like multiple concurrent partnerships(like small houese, intergenerational sex etc)
0900 to 1000hrs
The hour focused on “Zimbabwe Decline” highlighting some of the success stories resulting in the decline in HIV prevalence. There were also highlights on behavioural change, delayed sexual debut by young girls, uptake in VCT etc.
1000 to 1100hrs
Focus was on men and their responsibility in the face of HIV and AIDS. Professor Ezra Chitando helped explore this area.
1100 to 1200 hrs
The session highlighted the role of women in society as well as human rights for women versus tradition and culture. Also explored important role played by women in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
1200 to 1300hrs
The Voiceless Heard:
During the session there were testimonies given by listeners who are living with HIV and AIDS. Listeners were also phoning in.
1300 to 1400 hrs
There were pre-recorded messages and live messages from Zimbabwe’s best known personalities on the World Aids Day
1400 to 1500hrs
There was a discussion on HIV and AIDS in relation to migration…IOM (International Organisation for Migration) representatives talked so much about initiatives they are working on to help Zimbabweans.
1500 to 1600hrs
The Harare Junior council representatives are currently in the studio discussing HIV/AIDS and the youth.
Why it was a Sacred Concert to remember
Scores of people of various ages and hues braved Harare’s sweltering heat on Saturday, 8 November 2008, to join the celebrations to mark 200 years of the abolishment of slavery with a performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts by the 50 strong Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM) Choir and the Trio Arctic Band. The versatile and awe-inspiring Zimbabwean diva, Prudence Katomeni- Mbofana held the solo soprano reins.
The performance was a unique collaboration between the ZCM and their Norwegian counterparts courtesy of The Culture School of Fredrikstad as well as FK Norway. Each year three lecturers from ZCM go to Norway to guest lecture in an exchange programme that sees three Norwegian lecturers making the trek to Zimbabwe. This year’s trio, Tone Jordhus Søvik (saxaphone), Brith Løkken (trumpet) and Klæboe Eyvind Helseth were at the forefront of organising the concert. Linda Gjersoe Helseth (trombone) flew all the way from Norway to be part of this groundbreaking performance. Read more
Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts come to Harare

This weekend, Zimbabwean diva Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, backed by the fifty-strong Zimbabwe College of Music Choir, will attempt to do something that has rarely been done in Africa, let alone in the world- Perform one of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts.
Because of the scale of the music and the sheer number of artists needed to execute each work, Ellington’s sacred concerts have rarely been performed in the 30 years since his death in 1974.
More on The Zimbo Jam
Miss Bulawayo 2008 - An insult to the city of kings and queens
Filed under: Entertainment, Events, How Zimbabwe can be better
The event that rocked Bulawayo the Friday of 26 October 2008 at a local Hotel was the one of the properly organized events in the city of Queens and Kings. I would like to thank Sarah Mpofu and her organizing team for making sure that an event of that magnitude sailed through to search for a beauty Queen.
However I would like to attack the process models go through for them to enter the pageant and be part of a competition that is going to bring a queen that would represent at national and world level. I believe that the current Miss Bulawayo, Sharon Dube is a disgrace and a non-starter, she doesn’t deserve that title and it should be taken off her before we take to the streets. Read more
This week @ the Book Café and Mannenberg: 23 Oct – 01 Nov 2008
SPECIALS THIS WEEK
The Book Café
SAT 01, 2-5pm, House of Hunger POETRY SLAM – GIVING EACH OTHER A BOOST – the ‘Feel Good’ Slam. Celebrating LIFE - Come Feel The Energy! All Poets Welcome. A Pamberi Trust Project supported by Hivos
SAT 08, 2-5pm, SISTAZ OPEN MIC – Come on out Sistaz With ATTITUDE – Song, Dance, Poetry, Whateva - this is UR space, come do UR thang! Register with Rudo B4 2pm on 793182, 792551. A Pamberi Trust Project supported by Hivos
Mannenberg
SAT 08, 8-9pm, Zimbabwe College of Music presents DUKE ELLINGTON’S SACRED CONCERT – featuring PRUDENCE KATOMENI-MBOFANA (soprano), TRIO ARCTIC BAND & the ZCM’s 50-strong choir – The Duke’s famous masterpiece in Harare for the first time ever: a rare treat for jazz-lovers! Limited seating, arrive early to get a good seat. (Followed at 10pm by Luck Street Blues). Read more
BAFA 2008 gets Harare dancing

Hararians put down their burdens last week for the Buddyz Annual Festival of the Arts held in the Harare Gardens. On the last two nights, Saturday and Sunday evening, the atmosphere was electric as Rute Mbangwa, Dudu Manhemda, Mambokadzi, Reverb, Jiggaz, Winfree and Edith katiji entertained the excited crowds.
Channel O visits Zimbabwe

Channel O VJ Rachel Stuart at last week’s Channel O Party at the Harare Gardens. The talented Zimbabwean born and raised socialite is also a renowned model. Present at the party was another Zimbabwean Buffalo Soldier, who won an award at the recent Channel O awards. Rachel was host of the party, back to back with DJ Tuneman, also of Channel O.


