Africa University presents “Manica Fest ’08” 29 February and 1 March 2008 12 February 2008 – Mutare, Zimbabwe

Residents of Mutare have a diverse and exciting line-up to look forward to in Africa University’s upcoming 4th annual Arts and Culture Festival. Preparations for the festival, dubbed “Manica Fest ‘08” are in full swing and this year’s event is promising to be even bigger and better.

The festival theme for this year is 2010: Now, Then and Beyond-Promoting Art and Culture through Sport and Tourism. Festival activities begin on 29 February and are set to be an artistic explosion, representing the very best that Manicaland artists, both professional and up-and-coming stars, have to offer.

In line with its educational mandate, Africa University is once again building opportunities for learning and professional growth into Manica Fest ’08. The festival features debate forums with expert speakers and facilitators as well as workshops in the different disciplines of performance art. In the area of contemporary dance for example, Gilbert Douglas, Tumbuka’s Creative Director, will host a workshop. High school students who are looking to find, develop and bring their inner poetic voice to the stage can participate in ‘Word Play!’--an exciting poetry workshop and showcase.

Festival activities integrate education and the arts and provide educational opportunities in art and culture for both students and teachers. The organizers’ objectives include giving students the chance to gain greater confidence and skills for expression; and honing teachers’ skills in this specialized area so that they can bring out and nurture the talent and artistic brilliance in today’s youth.

But a festival would not be a festival without showcasing this budding young talent as well as that of established artists and entertainers. The ‘Manica Fest ‘08’ line-up is guaranteed to light up the stage and inspire even the most feeble-footed to dance. Performers include Oliver Mtukudzi, the cool jazz tones of Victor Kunonga, Mbira and singer/songwriting talent Chiwoniso, rhythm sensation Bongo Love, the music and dance extravaganza that is the Umoja Group and many, many more.

The Saturday morning kick-off will be a grand parade through the Mutare city centre—a veritable carnival with youth representing local schools, as well as a marching band, drum majorettes, a float balancing live music and magic arts—all providing a whirlwind of noise and colour to whet our cultural appetites for the rest of the day’s exciting line-up.

A jam-packed programme of music groups pounding an exciting eclectic mix of afro jazz, traditional Mbira and Marimba sounds, sungura music, and Mafriq’s danceable blend of Afro-Pop will be the source of Saturday afternoon family entertainment on a grand outdoor stage outside the Mutare Hall.

The Zimbabwe College of Music is contributing musical performances (a swinging jazz band and the Umoja Group) as well as organizational assistance to further ensure this year’s festive success.

The Saturday afternoon musical showcase will also coincide with the Manica Market, displaying the variety of arts and crafts—everything from paintings and sculptures to children’s fashion, furniture and home crafts, not to mention snacks and treats to keep the hunger at bay.

This year’s festival will proudly showcase numerous dance groups such as the ever graceful Tumbuka contemporary dance company as well as many local and traditional dance groups.

The festival will play host to distinguished theatrical performances. The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Theatre School and Walter Muparutsa’s Global Arts Trust are both providing insightful works for the Friday night Theatre double bill at the Courtauld Theatre. CHIPAWO will be on the Courtauld Theatre stage on the Saturday afternoon, with lively children’s theatre. Local group Saratoga from Sakubva and the Gwinyai Trust from Chimanimani, among others, will also be performing their blend of dance and theatre on the Saturday afternoon.

The closing event of ‘Manica Fest ’08’ is the Saturday night Gala at the Mutare Hall. The Gala line-up includes:

OLIVER MTUKUDZI

TUMBUKA CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY

UMOJA GROUP

VICTOR KUNONGA

BAND MUTARE

BONGO LOVE

Again, with a host of local and international performing stars gracing not only the Gala but the festival as a whole, ‘Manica Fest ‘08’ should prove to be a scintillating feast for the senses.

*** For more on ‘Manica Fest ‘08’, contact Dr. Thokozile Chitepo,
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at
Africa University.
Tel: (020) 60075 or 60026 or 61611. Fax: (020) 61785.
E-mail: deanfhss@africau.ac.zw