Third album for Dudu Manhenga
Dudu Manhenga (Picture: Jekesai)
Towards Alignment was recorded from ‘Solo Encounters with Dudu Manhenga’ over four days at the beautiful REPS theatre stage in March 2009, a daring move by the young diva to get closer to her audience in a setting where the finer nuances of her music could be more fully appreciated. “I feel more alive on stage than in the studio, and the studio does not allow for that spark of spontaneity - an occasional joke, or sharing of my life experiences - like I am able to do during live performances” she said.
The hidden challenge of a live recording, of course, is that there is no room for error, and the first recording has to be the best recording; it cannot be repeated in the live setting. As evidenced on the CD, the live performances revealed Dudu reaching a new level of delivery, a new high in quality, the achievement of a production of international standard - something of which Zimbabwe can be proud. Read more
The Book Café & Mannenberg, Mar 19-28
SPECIALS THIS WEEK
FRI 20, 6-7pm, BOOK CAFÉ HAPPY HOUR! All local beers ‘almost free’! with special live mbira performance by MCINTOSH, Bocapa Xposure winner
March 24-28 ‘NGUVA YEDU - THUBA LETHU – OUR TIME’ Book Café Youth Festival
A multi-disciplinary artistic explosion of young minds of Africa – featuring top Zimbabwean artists joined by young giants in the region – in the big tent! – SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS. Read more
Nguva Yedu – Thuba Lethu – Our Time!
Pamberi Trust – Book Café presents the first edition of its festival of youth – a thrilling 5-day multi-disciplinary arts program featuring Zimbabwe’s top young contemporary artists alongside young artists and arts writers from Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Swaziland, Kenya, Ethiopia and Cameroon.
‘Nguva Yedu – Thuba Lethu – Our Time’ is a celebration of African youth and renewal, creativity and a vision for a future Africa - through music, poetry, comedy, workshops, arts journalism, open discussion and cultural exchange. Read more
Dudu Manhenga invites you to her Solo Encounters
This March DUDU MANHENGA relaunches her exciting series of concerts- ‘Solo Encounters’ – close-up interaction with the afro jazz artist in an intimate concert setting at REPS Theatre in Harare from Tue 17 to Saturday 21 March, from 7pm.
The gifted young singer/songwriter has been making waves in regional and international music circles of late, after coming from a Zimbabwe College of Music student background by the turn of the century, and quickly rising to emerge as a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the stage in Zimbabwe. Read more
Clare Nyakujara- Jazz Has a New Face
On Friday 6 February (2009) The Mannenberg Jazz Club proudly welcomes Clare Nyakujara and The Other Four for an exciting performance of afro jazz at the Fife Avenue late-night venue which features Zimbabwean jazz artists regularly. Clare will perform under the banner of the Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise (FLAME), a Pamberi Trust project.
Every child dreams of being a star and Clare was no exception, starting out at the age of 10 in the church choir, and soon making her way to ‘the front’. In 2002 she became exposed to different types of music and found herself drawn to jazz after listening to Zimbabwean artists of different jazz styles – Luck St Blues, Dudu Manhenga & Color Blu, and The Other Four. Over time she joined Dumi Ngulube & Amagents, Mateo (of ‘Pamuhacha’ fame) and Dino Mudondo, on backing vocals, performing with them at HIFA, the annual Winter Jazz Festivals, club and corporate gigs, and giving vocal support to other up and coming young groups in the capital. 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.
