Tonga Music a pleasant surprise at HIFA
This year HIFA reminded me never to judge a book by its cover. I went into the African Banking Corporation Global Stage doubting whether it was worth going there. For a moment my conscience proved to be right, little did I know that I was totaly wrong. Who knew that Tonga music can be well modified to compete with big names like Awilo, Koffi Olomide and Alan Kounku?
Mokoomba, a 6 member group (all males) was brought to HIFA 2009 by the Austrian Emabassy and were the winners of the Music Cross Roads Inter-Regional Festival in August 2008. These guys have managed to combine sounds from Wester Contemporary instruments and the Traditional Tonga Jembe and the outcome is amaizing. Read more
Sara Tavares’ much loved Balancé at HIFA 2009
Sara Tavares
Sara, the Portugal acclaimed singer/song writer imprisoned her fans in her irresistable fusion of multi-linguistical lyrics and instruments. I had only heard about her but never listened to her cd before. When she delivered her first piece, it was ‘love at first sight’. Read more
Iyasa, Ballet and Indian Dances at HIFA
Hie again
The second day of HIFA was very interesting. Let me tell you about my experience throughout the day from the first show I attended and the shows are: A Sprig of Rosemary, Iyasa, Matthew and Peter’s classical music, Kraft, Susheela Mehta and Bharatnatya Dance Company, The Crossing, Beauty and the B.E.E and Don’t Be A Stranger. Let me tell you one by one and it goes like so: 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.
