Melissa Mpofu Entertainment Reporter 2008 Music Crossroads winners Mokoomba and Dutch DJ Gregor Salto will present a roller coaster ride of raw afro-fusion energy at the thirteenth edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) which kicks off today. The Dutch DJ will jet into the country on Thursday ahead of his performance at the Telecel Main Stage during the Golden Pilsener Day on Friday. Salto is well-known for his funky sets bringing together soul, latin, jazz, disco, and afro-flavoured house, among other beats. His first record was released in 1994 in Amsterdam, and ever since he has produced several worldwide hits including Your Friend which topped the charts in South Africa. Mokoomba are well-known to Hifa audiences from several appearances including a performance with the acclaimed Ivorian singer and bass player Manou Gallo in 2010. Johannesburg-based musical group Tumi and The Volume, whose musical acent blends samba, reggae and poetry, is also lined up to perform on Golden Pilsener Day on Friday. Sandra Madovi, Delta Beverages brand manager, said it would not be Salto and Mokoomba’s first time to share the stage. “This will not be Mokoomba’s first time to share the stage with Gregor Salto as they once generated massive excitement from dance fans when Messe Messe launched in Europe last year, followed by Stand Up and Umvundla,” she said. Combining traditional and modern instruments with a rich blend of rhythms, Mokoomba preserves the vibrant sound of traditional Tonga music while embracing the diverse cultures of the region. Local DJs Ray Dizz and Rax will take over after Salto with a performance on the Coca-Cola Green. Manuel Bagorro, Hifa founder and artistic director, said this year’s theme, “A Show of Spirit”, points to both the vibrant nature of Hifa and the passion and aspiration of audiences. “We are celebrating the capacity of the arts to impart courage, compassion and determination, and calling on our audience to boldly embrace the creative force within all of us,” Bagorro said. Madovi said this year’s Golden Pilsener brand theme “Golden Spirit, Golden Show” resonates well with the Hifa theme “A Show of Spirit”. “Hifa is relevant and of great importance to the growth of the arts industry in Zimbabwe. Golden Pilsener cannot help but support such a dynamic endeavour and we are calling upon all Zimbabweans to come through to the Golden Pilsener Day and share the golden spirit, experience the golden moments and be part of a golden show,” she said. Hifa is a six-day annual festival that showcases the very best of Zimbabwean, regional and international arts and culture in a comprehensive programme of theatre, dance, music, circus, street performance, spoken word, craft and visual arts. It brings together socially and culturally disparate groups of Zimbabweans to celebrate the healing and constructive capacity of the arts.
The Dutch DJ will jet into the country on Thursday ahead of his performance at the Telecel Main Stage during the Golden Pilsener Day on Friday.
Salto is well-known for his funky sets bringing together soul, latin, jazz, disco, and afro-flavoured house, among other beats. His first record was released in 1994 in Amsterdam, and ever since he has produced several worldwide hits including Your Friend which topped the charts in South Africa.
Mokoomba are well-known to Hifa audiences from several appearances including a performance with the acclaimed Ivorian singer and bass player Manou Gallo in 2010.
Johannesburg-based musical group Tumi and The Volume, whose musical acent blends samba, reggae and poetry, is also lined up to perform on Golden Pilsener Day on Friday.
Sandra Madovi, Delta Beverages brand manager, said it would not be Salto and Mokoomba’s first time to share the stage.
“This will not be Mokoomba’s first time to share the stage with Gregor Salto as they once generated massive excitement from dance fans when Messe Messe launched in Europe last year, followed by Stand Up and Umvundla,” she said.
Combining traditional and modern instruments with a rich blend of rhythms, Mokoomba preserves the vibrant sound of traditional Tonga music while embracing the diverse cultures of the region.
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Local DJs Ray Dizz and Rax will take over after Salto with a performance on the Coca-Cola Green. Manuel Bagorro, Hifa founder and artistic director, said this year’s theme, “A Show of Spirit”, points to both the vibrant nature of Hifa and the passion and aspiration of audiences.
“We are celebrating the capacity of the arts to impart courage, compassion and determination, and calling on our audience to boldly embrace the creative force within all of us,” Bagorro said.
Madovi said this year’s Golden Pilsener brand theme “Golden Spirit, Golden Show” resonates well with the Hifa theme “A Show of Spirit”. “Hifa is relevant and of great importance to the growth of the arts industry in Zimbabwe. Golden Pilsener cannot help but support such a dynamic endeavour and we are calling upon all Zimbabweans to come through to the Golden Pilsener Day and share the golden spirit, experience the golden moments and be part of a golden show,” she said.
Hifa is a six-day annual festival that showcases the very best of Zimbabwean, regional and international arts and culture in a comprehensive programme of theatre, dance, music, circus, street performance, spoken word, craft and visual arts.
It brings together socially and culturally disparate groups of Zimbabweans to celebrate the healing and constructive capacity of the arts.
