Oliver Mtukudzi and Chiwoniso Maraire have decided to deviate from their usual bracket of live show audiences and give “VIPs” a chance to watch them in action in a show branded as “elegant”. The internationally renowned musicians perform at 7Arts Theatre in Avondale on November 12 at a concert that will see fans parting with at least $30 to gain entrance. It is rare for local musicians to charge such a fee, but concert organisers have dubbed it “VIP Concert” and suggested that it will not be for ordinary showgoers.
The duo recently shared the stage in South Africa at a gig that also featured Chimurenga guru Thomas Mapfumo. According to Mtukudzi’s manager, Sam Mataure, the gig will be a rare experience. He said they were trying to reach out to a different audience. “This is the second time that we will be performing with Chiwoniso this year following the Johannesburg tour where we also shared the stage with Mukanya.
With this show we are trying to reach out to a different audience that usually fails to get the chance to see us live on stage,” said Mataure. Tsungi Zvobgo, Maraire’s manager, said the “VIP Concert” would be spiced up with the unexpected. “I believe audiences can expect first-class entertainment from two of the finest musicians in Zimbabwe . . . and a little of the unexpected,” said Zvobgo.
“According to the main organisers of the show, Hardcore Word Entertainment, the VIPs are any individuals who want to enjoy a first-class performance.” Tawanda Chingarah of Hardcore Word Entertainment said the concert was mainly meant for executives. “We realised most of the shows this year were for the mass market, but there are music fans that do not feel comfortable attending such events,” said Chingarah.
“We have created an environment for such people and chose a combination of top musicians with music that appeals to an upmarket audience. To balance gender, we chose an outstanding male musician and an equally gifted female musician.” Mtukudzi and Chiwoniso have toured internationally and done collaborations with five-star musicians across the world.
They will both feature on an album featuring international musicians, including Alicia Keys, a project initiated by Médicins Sans Frontières (doctors without borders). The project is part of an HIV and Aids awareness campaign and it will be launched on December 1. Meanwhile, Mtukudzi leaves the country today for the Umoja Festival in Mozambique where he will perform on Saturday. He leaves for New York on the same day accompanied by Mataure to perform at a concert dubbed “Music for Orphans”.
They are then expected to perform at a private function in Johannesburg on November 4 and another show with various artistes on the next day. From South Africa they will be joined by the whole band for two shows in Kenya before returning home for the 7 Arts Theatre gig.
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