The Sunday Mail
Macheso dates Proggie, Eriza
Leisure Reporters
SAY what you want about Alick Macheso, but those who follow him know that his family shows are must-attend gigs.
This afternoon, the sungura king plays at Club Las Vegas in Southerton, Harare where he will be supported by Lady Storm aka Eriza, and talented musician and guitarist Progress Chipfumo.
Macheso’s professionalism, punctuality and playing for the kids before it gets dark – is enough to endear him to his avid followers who normally want their children photographed with him.
However, he does more than that. He plays passionately, reassuring his fans throughout his set, “ndimi varungu vedu, basa redu isusu kufadza imi” (you are our paymasters, our job is to make you happy).
With the release of his latest offering “Tsoka Dzerwendo”, the veteran musician has been fighting hard to regain lost ground. Macheso has a plan: popularise family gigs, attract all age groups and create a solid foundation.
Attendance at his family shows at places like Junction 24, Zebra Village, Extra Mile and Jongwe Corner are encouraging. Like a diesel engine the maestro is gradually gaining momentum.
Club Las Vegas entertainment manager Chenesai Chainz has in the past hosted Macheso for family events and general night gigs but says the former are proving more popular with patrons.
“The fans prefer it most when he comes here for family shows, mostly Sundays. Actually I have noticed that we get a different clientele when he starts his gigs earlier, that is in the afternoon.
The family events might actually work wonders in his career,” remarked Chainz.
Sulu croons @ Holly’s
Gotchie-gotchie, car wash, music and more music will be the order of the day today when Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu and his Orchestra Dendera Kings perform at Holly’s nightclub in Harare.
But before Sulu and his boys take to the stage, the afternoon launch of the “hottest” car wash in the capital will take place. Manned by a bevy of bikini-clad beauties, the Sunday afternoon car wash carnival has taken the city by storm.
And later, as the sun goes down, Sulu will take to the stage; sampling old, not-so-old and new songs from the vast discography of dendera music which cuts across generations.
Said Sulu’s publicist Joe Nyamungoma: “This is a unique show. We are taking most of the band’s cars including those of band members to Harare Street in the afternoon – our fans, band members and music lovers in general will converge there, where the Samba Girls from Brazil performed last year.
It will be a carnival atmosphere and I can assure you – this is a new concept, a festival of sorts, yet it’s a relaxed atmosphere.
“As usual, but inspired by the new setting, Sulu and the team will belt out old, new and future hits in what we expect to be an intimate but explosive gig at Holly’s nightclub.”
Dobba Don, Roki sing for Agric Show
Rising Zim dancehall star Dobba Don of the “Mudendere” fame has collaborated with ladies man Rockford “Roki” Josphats on a track titled “Back to the Show”.
The song, which also features Afro-fusion singer Mel B has since been adopted by the Zimbabwe Agriculture Society as the official song of the 2016 Harare Agriculture Show.
The track, a blend of music styles, talks of the good aspects of the agriculture show in a sound and collected manner.
According to ZAS head of sales and marketing Cynthia Tapera the decision to record the theme song was motivated by the need to market and further popularise the already big event.
“The Harare Agricultural Show theme song ‘Back to the Show’ is a track adopted officially by the ZAS to be the flagship anthem for this year’s show. It’s meant to be used as warm-up to the annual event, to accompany the entertainment and activities during the event and as a souvenir reminder of the Show brand as well as for advertising campaigns leading to the Show,” said Tapera.
Back to the Jazzics
Real jazz is back in town. Besides theatre and other related genres, Theatre in the Park is now doing music. Not just any music but jazz music, in a concept dubbed “Back to Jazzics”.
Today’s edition is the fourth installment and as usual the line-up is rich. Ready to thrill jazz lovers this afternoon are Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson, Owen Chimuka backed by Sam Mataure, Kelly Rusike, Adrian Muparutsa, Clancy Mbirimi and other guests.
