The Sunday Mail
Since the Harare City Council imposed a ban on the use of the Harare Gardens by music promoters last year – most “family shows” have become regular gigs starting late and going on until way after midnight such that women and children have been starved of live music, but not anymore.
Two of the leading musicians in the country, Jah Prayzah and Suluman Chimbetu, who are family men well known for bringing their wives and children to their afternoon outings, have come together to promote “real family shows”.
The programme roars into life at midday today at Rangers Gardens, a joint that recently opened doors for business in the quiet suburb of Westlea, tucked away from the hullabaloo of the city centre.
Traditionally, family shows are meant to start around midday and end by 10pm but often musicians and promoters have left fans disappointed after they fail to kick-start gigs on scheduled time.
This has left music lovers who cannot attend late night gigs disappointed.
The closure of Harare Gardens for musical gigs has been a huge blow for showbiz in the capital since most venues are not suitable to host kids. At family shows, children not only look forward to getting up-close with their role models but also want extra activities to keep them amused.
The proprietors of Rangers Gardens have vowed that their joint has been designed and modelled around family interests.
The joint, which is still in its embryonic stages, has already hosted a handful of family shows. The joint manager, Farai Gukwe, says he has always wanted to create a perfect family venue.
“We offer almost everything here. But our focus has been on creating a joint that can accommodate everyone; be it kids or adults.
“For kids, we have jumping castles, balloon popping and clowns lined up for them,” he said.
“Sunday’s family show (today) will see us introduce a number of changes that we have made to the venue. Rangers is still new and we are responding to patrons’ demands. We will continue doing so until we have a perfect outing place.
“Apart from the show, we will together with revellers on Sunday be celebrating Captain Sulu’s publicist’s (Joe “Local” Nyamungoma’s) birthday,” added Gukwe.
The birthday boy Nyamungoma promised that the Orchestra Dendera Kings outfit will thrill their fans while Jah Prayzah said he could not wait for photo opportunities with the kids.
