Chimanimani Arts Festival kicks off in earnest on August 12 and will wind up on August 14 under the theme “It’s great for the Soul”. Zimbabwe’s biggest free entry festival promises a diversity of artistic genres including music, arts and craft, theatre, dance, film, and poetry/storytelling.This year’s edition has seen increased financial and material support from Lion Lager in addition to the traditional supporters and includes workshops on theatre, arts and craft as well as poetry/storytelling and a vibrant Youth Zone is on the cards. Organisers yesterday confirmed preparations for the festival were at an advanced stage and some of the acts feature Junior Banton and Friends, Tina Watyoka, X Vybz and Chikwata 263 from Harare while several acts from Chimanimani and Mutare such as Ngangu Band, Senior Musareketa and Jusa Mupostori will be part of the exciting programme.This year, the British Council has made it possible for the two highly acclaimed plays The Comeback by Sifiso Mabhena featuring Edith weUtonga and Colours of Dreams by award winning Christopher Mlalazi featuring Nama Award winner Eddy Mangawa and friends.Proceedings will begin on Friday with a traditional opening ceremony performed by chiefs from Chimanimani hosted by Chief Ngorima. Symbolically the chief welcomes all festival participants and dedicates the festival to the Creator.
On Saturday musical acts take centre stage, with genres ranging from choral, urban grooves, sungura, afro jazz, afro punk, reggae, hip hop and gospel.
There will also be film screenings throughout the festival. Children will be catered for exclusively in the Youth Zone where a talent contest will take place as well as a workshop on poetry/storytelling.Judging from past editions, attendance at the festival will peak at approximately 9 000 and this year attendees from as far afield as Masvingo are expected. Artists from Harare, Mutare, Chimanimani and surrounding areas are raring to go and have promised fireworks at this year’s event.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Chimanimani Arts fest on ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER - News Day Aug 07 2011 17:05
Chimanimani Arts fest on ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER - News Day Aug 07 2011 17:05
Chimanimani Arts Festival kicks off in earnest on August 12 and will wind up on August 14 under the theme “It’s great for the Soul”. Zimbabwe’s biggest free entry festival promises a diversity of artistic genres including music, arts and craft, theatre, dance, film, and poetry/storytelling.This year’s edition has seen increased financial and material support from Lion Lager in addition to the traditional supporters and includes workshops on theatre, arts and craft as well as poetry/storytelling and a vibrant Youth Zone is on the cards. Organisers yesterday confirmed preparations for the festival were at an advanced stage and some of the acts feature Junior Banton and Friends, Tina Watyoka, X Vybz and Chikwata 263 from Harare while several acts from Chimanimani and Mutare such as Ngangu Band, Senior Musareketa and Jusa Mupostori will be part of the exciting programme.This year, the British Council has made it possible for the two highly acclaimed plays The Comeback by Sifiso Mabhena featuring Edith weUtonga and Colours of Dreams by award winning Christopher Mlalazi featuring Nama Award winner Eddy Mangawa and friends.Proceedings will begin on Friday with a traditional opening ceremony performed by chiefs from Chimanimani hosted by Chief Ngorima. Symbolically the chief welcomes all festival participants and dedicates the festival to the Creator.
On Saturday musical acts take centre stage, with genres ranging from choral, urban grooves, sungura, afro jazz, afro punk, reggae, hip hop and gospel.
There will also be film screenings throughout the festival. Children will be catered for exclusively in the Youth Zone where a talent contest will take place as well as a workshop on poetry/storytelling.Judging from past editions, attendance at the festival will peak at approximately 9 000 and this year attendees from as far afield as Masvingo are expected. Artists from Harare, Mutare, Chimanimani and surrounding areas are raring to go and have promised fireworks at this year’s event.
Chimanimani Arts fest on ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER - News Day Aug 07 2011 17:05
Chimanimani Arts Festival kicks off in earnest on August 12 and will wind up on August 14 under the theme “It’s great for the Soul”. Zimbabwe’s biggest free entry festival promises a diversity of artistic genres including music, arts and craft, theatre, dance, film, and poetry/storytelling.This year’s edition has seen increased financial and material support from Lion Lager in addition to the traditional supporters and includes workshops on theatre, arts and craft as well as poetry/storytelling and a vibrant Youth Zone is on the cards. Organisers yesterday confirmed preparations for the festival were at an advanced stage and some of the acts feature Junior Banton and Friends, Tina Watyoka, X Vybz and Chikwata 263 from Harare while several acts from Chimanimani and Mutare such as Ngangu Band, Senior Musareketa and Jusa Mupostori will be part of the exciting programme.This year, the British Council has made it possible for the two highly acclaimed plays The Comeback by Sifiso Mabhena featuring Edith weUtonga and Colours of Dreams by award winning Christopher Mlalazi featuring Nama Award winner Eddy Mangawa and friends.Proceedings will begin on Friday with a traditional opening ceremony performed by chiefs from Chimanimani hosted by Chief Ngorima. Symbolically the chief welcomes all festival participants and dedicates the festival to the Creator.
On Saturday musical acts take centre stage, with genres ranging from choral, urban grooves, sungura, afro jazz, afro punk, reggae, hip hop and gospel.
There will also be film screenings throughout the festival. Children will be catered for exclusively in the Youth Zone where a talent contest will take place as well as a workshop on poetry/storytelling.Judging from past editions, attendance at the festival will peak at approximately 9 000 and this year attendees from as far afield as Masvingo are expected. Artists from Harare, Mutare, Chimanimani and surrounding areas are raring to go and have promised fireworks at this year’s event.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
THE PLANNING LOOKS GOOD... THE FESTIVAL IS ON 12-14 AUGUST 2011
The program is shaping up for theChimanimani festival, the grass at the main stage has been slashed and pretty soon the sound of hammer on nail will reverberate around the village green as preparations go into overdrive.
The program kicks off on Friday 12 August at noon – Chimanimani groups will stage a talent show and there will be various cultural groups from the district. The chiefs blessing will begin at sunset, under the guidance of Chief Ngorima, with the main stage program thereafter.
Groups to look forward to throughout the weekend include Club Shanga, Chiwoniso, Kapfupi, Xvybes, Chikwata 263 plus more signing up; Mutare groups include Sunrise Band, Paprikaz and Juice Maposteri, whilst there will be performances from groups based throughout Chimanimani district, including Ngangu Band who recently had their first show in Harare.
This year we welcome Spanish dancehall, hip-hop group Swan Fyahbwoy, comprising Swan, 2 dancers and a DJ – we also welcome graffiti artist “el nino de los pinturas” Raul Ruiz who will paint a mural in Chimanimani.
Theatre shows from the HIFA Direct program, street performers, comedy, clowns, films, craft and workshops will be threaded throughout the venue and program; poet Ishmael Penyai will launch his latest Ndau and Manyika poetry book “Nhekwe Dziri Kanyi”.
Accommodation is limited in Chimanimani – for those planning to visit you can probably best look at either staying in a local home or camping options at Heaven Lodge, as well as at the hotel and Bridal Veil Falls.
There are available spaces for craft and merchandise stalls…food and drink available at the venue...welcome to Chimanimani...”Zimbabwe’s BIGGEST free entry festival…It’s Great for the Soul”