Franco Slomo at home with dendera

Sulumani and Franco Slomo 

Former Orchestra Mberikwazvo dancer Francis "Slomo" Dhaka says he has settled well at his new home - Orchestra Dendera Kings. Slomo has already introduced some new dances to his Dendera Kings apart from doubling as the leader of choreographs. "We are doing things uniformly, I have already introduced some new dances to the group and very soon I will also unveil another new dance called ‘coconut dance'," he said.

Slomo said the response that he is receiving from both his colleagues and fans shows that he is doing well.

"My colleagues are very happy with my contribution and every time I introduce a new dance they are all eager to learn it and even the fans have given me a new nickname ‘Slomo Musoro' after the slow motion dance I do using my head," he said. Slomo said he has a good working relationship with both his employer - Sulumane Chimbetu - as well as other band members.

"Sulu is very open to me. We discuss everything and give each other advice. "I relate well with the rest of the band members and so far every thing is cool," added Slomo. Slomo said he had not experienced any difficulties in learning the new dances from the Dendera Kings as he claims to be a talented artiste who is able to adapt to every dancing style. "I did not face any challenges in learning the new dances since I can dance rhumba, kwaito and mbira, among others," he said.

Slomo said he is working together with Tafadzwa Silver Gwanzura, a former member of Utakataka Express, in teaching other band members new dances. "We give each other space and when we perform live shows I usually dance with Gwanzura because some band members are not yet familiar with the new dances. I also give them the platform to perform some of those dances that I am not yet familiar with," he added.

Slomo left Orchestra Mberikwazvo early this year to work with the Dendera Kings after being offered a lucrative contract. (Herald)