The Sunday Mail
DANCEHALL music lovers and aspiring chanters will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and stand a chance of walking away with prizes when they take part in the freestyle challenge at this year’s debut Sunset October Beer Festival in Harare.
The two-day festival, which starts on Friday October 24 with several performances, exhibitions and games -culminating in the Dancehall Night, which occupies the prime time slot – spills into Saturday with more fun, booze and entertainment.
The insistence by the organisers to see the audience participation at all the performances is likely to take the Beer Fest to a whole new level as efforts to match international festival standards gather pace.
An official from the beer festival organising team said the festival belongs to the people and that the organisers would make sure that drinkers and non-drinkers alike have fun at the fête. “We do not want to just make it be about performances from the professionals only. People should have a bit of fun as well when we invite people from the audience to come on the stage and compete. The crowds will be the ones voting and whoever wins will walk away a happy man or woman,” said the official.
A number of Zim dancehall artistes that are popular today made their names at the Passa Passa clashes in the ghetto after showcasing their talents at such events.
The Sunset October Beer Festival could be a stepping stone for some wannabe artistes out there who have been unable to breakthrough.
Dancehall continues to redefine the music landscape with new artistes and stars being birthed almost on a weekly basis.
Music producers from different record labels are expected to be part of the extravaganza.
“If an artiste really impresses then the people will say so and I believe that should be enough to give them confidence to go on and conquer the world after that. Besides if real talent is unearthed we will offer them recording contracts or slots to perform at our various events and clubs,” said the official.
Meanwhile, organisers of the beer festival have promised maximum security for participants.
“We want an incident-free event hence we are taking necessary measures to ensure that our audience will be safe,” said the official.
Some of Zim dancehall artistes expected to perform on the opening day of the festival at the Sunset Arena include man of the moment Tocky Vibes, Terminator, Lady Squanda, Soul Jah Love, Seh Calaz, Ricky Fire, Ras Caleb, Maffcat, Lady Banks, Kinnah, Dadza D and Sniper Storm.
