Dudu Manhenga
Rumbidzai Mbewe, Sunday Life Correspondent
NO other day could have been perfect like Africa Day for Bulawayo artistes to celebrate the birth of a new cultural hub in the City of Kings and Queens. The long awaited vision of Nhimbe Trust was, Bluez Café cultural hub was brought to life last week as it was launched in conjunction with the Africa Day celebrations last week in the city.
The event was attended by over 200 artistes and leading cultural enthusiasts of Bulawayo and Harare. The opening of this hub will go a long way in helping artistes with rehearsal spaces among other things.
“The initiative will help to meet some of the needs of Bulawayo artists of all disciplines such as music, spoken-word, literary, visual and fine artists, film, drama, dance and craftspeople by providing spaces for meetings, workshops, access to rehearsal facilities, performance platforms, and programmes for the development of the arts,” said PennyYon the marketing and Public Relations officer at Bluez Café.
She said Bluez Cafe is now on the road to creating a vibrant and multi-dimensional cultural hub in the center of Bulawayo, a space for artists and arts practitioners, a space for free expression of cultural identity; a space of tolerance, inclusion, unity, respect, dialogue and compassion
“We are building on the legacy of Bulawayo’s rich cultural tapestry in partnership with artists and other cultural partners, “she said.
Performing on the day was AFRO QUEENS, formed earlier this year to encourage young women to take up instruments; the band is mentored by John Gara. Also performing were 6 women artistes of TELLERS, the musical that debuted in Harare on 5 May this year, now adding the playing of instruments to their acting, singing and dancing which wowed audiences in the capital.
“Their home base for lessons and rehearsals is Bluez Café, and even for the opening, John Gara generously lends equipment beyond what Nhimbe can provide,” said Penny.
Jazz maestro, Dudu Manhenga was also at the event and delivered a magnificent performance and was joined on stage for a dose of township jazz by Uncle Lucky of the Cool Crooners.
“Dudu delivered a scintillating performance to the delight of the audience. Some were moved to tears. An achievement of pure hard work since she left home in her teens, her career has been marked by the highest standards, and carried her far in the world,” she said.
The Bluez Cafe garden stage provided a perfect platform under the balmy evening sky, and excellent sound quality with full backline and technical backup provided by Sound Kalcha.
The entrance hall provided displays by Amagugu International Traditional Heritage Centre and Ama’books publishers. The seven music groups which performed perfectly showcased the diverse programme that Bluez Café is working towards, ranging from the newest emerging acts of women instrumentalists, to the big guns of Ndebele music with years of acclaim, and the fresh new sounds of other young and gifted Zimbabweans in between.