Macheso, Chiwoniso No Show As Thousands Descend at Pakare Paye

Samanyanga Oliver Mtukudzi

The small town of Norton on Saturday woke up to solo sounds from various musicians who gathered at Oliver Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre for the Pakare Paye Spar Solo Festival. For those fortunate enough to have been among the thousands that packed the Sam Mtukudzi Conference Centre to the brim, the festival had all the hallmarks of a thriller.

With rain showers blessing the gala, the festival could not have come at any better time than the close of the year. And indeed the musicians who participated in this event summoned up what this year held in terms of musicals — class. The festival was graced by noted musicians, among them, Steve Makoni, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Suluman Chimbetu, Tendai Manatsa, Selmor Mtukudzi, Kapfupi, Josh Meck and Edith WeUtonga.

Artists dazzle at Spar Solo Fest

An exquisite ambiance characterised this year’s edition of the annual Spar Solo Fest extravaganza where an array of renowned acts from various genres of arts including music, poetry, dance, comedy, drama and storytelling graced the stage for solo performances on Saturday night. The venue was the Sam Mtukudzi Conference Centre at Pakare Paye in Norton. Since Friday, the centre was a hype of activity with pupils from schools around Norton, Bindura and Harare showcasing their talent at a free show before the main concert.

Zimbabwe Youth Festival on December 10

All is set for this year’s Zimbabwe Youth Festival, an event slated for Decemeber 10 at the Glamis Arena. Running under the theme “Tambanuka” (express yourself), the festival is an interactive development platform aimed at building and supporting a formidable youth movement that uses the power of creativity to articulate common issues.

Since its inception, the festival has played a pivotal role in necessitating a social networking platform which various youths from several communities have used to explore their creativity and capacity in developing their talents. The main highlight of the festival is a concert featuring some of the leading and prominent local Zimbabwean artists. These include Sulumani Chimbetu, King Shaddy, Freeman, Mafriq, Chikwata 263, Stunner, Roki and the Afro shangara outfit, Mukoomba.

 Some of Zimbabwe’s leading poets including the Zimbabwe poets for human rights are also billed to perform at the festival and take part in nurturing young aspiring poets.

Tuku's solo Fest promises fireworks

Suzanna Owiyo

The 5th edition of the annual SPAR Solo Fest to be held at Pakare Paye Arts Center on December 3, 2011 will this year witness a lot of interesting changes in terms of artists taking part. The festival, for the first time will see the introduction of regional artists, developmental workshops and will run for two days. The Solo Fest often staged on one day will this year have more acts for all age groups as school children from Norton, Bindura and Harare showcase their talent at a free show on December 2, 2011 from 2pm.

Spar Solo Festival gathers Momentum

As preparations for this year’s edition of the annual Spar Solo Festival that takes place at Pakare Paye Arts Centre on December 3 gather momentum, organisers have released the complete list of performers. Leading musicians like Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu and Chiwoniso Maraire will temporarily part ways with their bands to stage solo acts at the family event.