With two weeks left before 2017 disappears, the showbiz is getting heating up with artists on their toes trying to capitalize on the high demand for shows around the country. This weekend was lit with shows in and around Harare, the biggest one being the inaugural Zimbabwe Arts Festival held at the Alexandra Sports Club. All the big names including Oliver Mtukudzi, Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu and many others performed at the event though the turnout was disappointing. The big question is whether the organizers failed to market the concert or the capacity of the mega line-up to pull crowds.
Alexandra Sports Club
The inaugural Zimbabwe Arts Festival (ZARTS) started on Friday to Saturday at Alexandra Sports Club. There was a poor turnout and if anything, local festival organizers have a lot of work to do to match the level set by the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) which has grown big and now attract audiences from as far as Europe and America.
Artists who performed at the show include Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Oliver Mtukudzi and Sulumani Chimbetu, among others.
Bulawayo
City of Kings hosted the 2017 Zim Hip Hop awards over the weekend and many artists including Stunner, Mudiwahood among others walked away with various awards. The event which was taken to Bulawayo for the first time, lived up to its billing save for the controversy around Takura who failed to get recognition despite having a good year-arguably his best so far.
Westgate
The official lightning of the Christmas lights at Westgate was graced by Winky D, Oliver Mtukudzi and Jah Prayzah among others. The ceremony was well attended and marked the official beginning of the festive season.
Iridium
The Dendera king, Sulumani Chimbetu was at Iridium formerly Jazz 24/7 where he performed in front of a full house on a generally quite Saturday night. Dendera music followers were treated to some fine performances and the son of the late Simon Chopper Chimbetu had the house on its feet as he took them down memory lane with some of the hit songs from the days of the Marxist brothers.
Jongwe Corner
Man of the moment, Jah Prayzah was at the popular hideout Jongwe Corner in Hatfield. The Kutonga Kwaro hitmaker was in a bullish mood as he took the stage and ran away with it. Jah Prayzah has mastered his art and every show he holds turns out to be big with Jongwe Corner being no exception. His perfomance justified why he is the most sought after musician in the country so far and judging from the audience- he is a beast when it comes to the stage.
263Chat will continue to cover the various entertainment events happening around the country during the festive season.
