This past weekend, I attended the Harare International Festival of the Arts. And it was amazing! I love music festivals in general, but combine that with it being in Africa, with its great music, amazing dancers, and relaxed vibe, and it’s little wonder the festival is incredibly popular in the region.
Here is a list of artists I saw:
– Gri Eshe – 33 Zimbabwean men on stage singing and dancing both traditional and modern Zimbabwean music
– Handful of Keys – two South African pianists/comedians who put on a hilarious show
– Kouyate and Neerman acoustic – a Malian balafone meets an English vibraphone creating absoluly breath-taking music
– Tumi and the Volume – a socially-conscious hip-hop band from Johanesburg
– Mokoomba with Greg Salto – a wicked Zimbabwean 7-piece band with excellent rhythms and melodies, teaming up with a Dutch DJ; possibly my favorite show of the weekend, as I danced the night away!
– Winky D – a really cool Zimbabwean reggae legend
– Publish the Quest – an American ska band with a wicked brass section and a very hot lead singer
– Ismael Lo – a Senegalese legend, and another one of my favorites of the entire festival
– Oliver Mtukudzi – the most famous Zimbabwean musician of all-time (and performing at the Ottawa Bluesfest this year, for those of you lucky enough to be there!)
As you can see, my weekend was jam-packed with fabulous music! With the exception of the last two artists on my list, I didn’t know any other performers; I chose to go out of curiosity and based solely on the descriptions I read at www. hifa.co.zw In each case, I was much more than pleasantly surprised; I was properly impressed and so thoroughly in my element! I danced each night until the wee hours in the morning, as after the last show of each night they had a DJ playing some dancehall/hip hop/African/reggae beats. I made friends with lots of Zimbabweans (gosh, how I wish this festival had been in September!) , and they even showed me local hangouts all over town, including bars, clubs, a famous briie spot (barbecue) and the most popular Sunday evening beer and briie spot in a parking lot next to a car wash.
A brilliant weekend which showed me that Harare is cool and Zimbabwean has got a flavor for music and dance that I had no idea about! Wicked!
Lexalot - Wow! Finally found your blog Brit:) The blog is actually comforting. I worry about you from time to time and wonder if you are managing to stay content. Reading your blog was like talking to you. I miss you man! You’re a pretty engaging writer! Fun to ‘listen’ to. Awesome coz I feel like you documented my life for me too! Am gonna send the link to my parents as well if you don’t mind! They would love to read about our adventures in more detail I’m sure:) So…music festival eh? Little hippie! SOOOOO glad for you though. Am hoping you met some quality people there who will make the rest of your time fly! Make sure you’re safe though ok? Not suspiscious…just safe! hahaha….huuuuuug!