CLEAR your diary, because this weekend isn't one you should sleep on. From graduation dance floors to gospel gatherings that run clean till sunrise and from car engines roaring at Borrowdale to a line-up so stacked it deserves its own award show, Harare is about to prove once again why our weekends hit different — and why it's called the City of the Restless. Whether you’re chasing good music, good vibes or just an excuse to dress up and step out, grab a pen, because here's everything worth showing up for.
Friday, 14 August: Graduation After Party
If you're looking to loosen up after this short, lazy week, head to The Jam Tree in Mount Pleasant for the Graduation After Party. Jnr Spragga is headlining, with DJ Oslato, DJ Takue, MC Breezy and MC Mambo keeping the energy up all night. Entry is US$10 after 6pm or splash out US$50 for VIP if you fancy finer things. It's the kind of night where you dance first and ask questions later.
Friday, 14 August: A Night With Feli Nandi (Vol 9)
Same night, but a completely different vibe: HICC is hosting A Night With Feli Nandi (Vol 9) and honestly, the lineup is stacked. Feli Nandi herself, Baba Harare, EXQ, Tamy Moyo, Mwenje Mathole, Victor Kunonga, Kurai Makore, Intotal Band and Fusion 5 Mangwiro are all on the bill. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets start at US$10 for ordinary, US$30 for VIP, and US$80 if you want the full VVIP treatment. This one's shaping up to be a proper showcase of homegrown talent, so get there early if you want a good spot — you might even witness Feli Nandi make history by filling up the HICC, just like the extraordinary Winky D and Kuda Tagwireyi’s Celestial Crossover Night.
Friday, 14 August: One Sound: The Roar of Many Waters
If gospel and worship is more your thing, Glamis Arena has you covered with One Sound: The Roar of Many Waters, an all-night worship gathering hosted by worship leaders. We're talking Takesure Zamar, The Unveiled, Mai Kuvheya, Pastor Josh, Joyfull Praise, Tino Mbasera, Blessing Jeduthun, Nyasha Mutonhori, Everton Mlalazi, Tawanda Midzi, Tatenda Y Gurupira, Prophetess Memory Matimbire, Bishop Dr AD Madawo, Bishop Dr Collin Nyathi and Prophet B. Shonhiwa — all from 4pm right through till dawn. Best part? It's completely free. Bring a jacket; it's going to be a long, beautiful night and surely the Lord will answer all your prayers.
Saturday, 15 August: Take It Easy
- Harare’s Restless Weekend is calling
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Now, Saturday's a blank page on the events calendar this week and if you ask me, that's not a bad thing. If you were up till dawn at Glamis Arena soaking in worship or you danced the night away at the Graduation After Party, your body will thank you for taking it slow. Sleep in, drink plenty of water, get some proper food in you and maybe skip the temptation to cram in errands. Think of it as a deliberate pause, not a wasted day. You'll need the energy anyway, because Sunday's bringing burnouts, bikers and a full day out at Borrowdale, and you'll want to be firing on all cylinders for that one.
Sunday, 16 August: Bring the Whole Family
Head out to Borrowdale Racecourse for the Selekta Base Blowout Festival, otherwise known as Next Level. This is proper car culture territory: burnouts, car clubs, bikers, fireworks, food stalls and even entertainment for children, so it's a solid family day out if you plan it right.
Top spinners are flying in from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique, repping cities like Harare, Gweru, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo and Masvingo. On the music side, Jnr Spragga (yes, back again after Friday), Takura, DJ Rawse, DJ Rax and TheBossDJ will be keeping the soundtrack going from 11am to 6pm.
Tickets are tiered, so don't sleep on it. First release is US$7 but limited, second release goes up to US$10, and gate entry is US$15. If you're bringing your own drinks, a cooler box pass will set you back US$10, though children under 10 get in free. Grab your tickets from Clouds To You (Avondale, Highland Park or Sam Levy's Village) or Subs'N'Mo (John Boyne House on Inez Terrace or Greenfields Showgrounds).
So there you have it: three solid days of music, worship and horsepower. Whatever you choose, make sure you actually go. Harare's weekends like this don't come around often enough to waste indoors.
See you out there!
The Weekend Guide runs every Friday in NewsDay. To get your event featured, contact Valentine Maya on: Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +263 717 898 965 Instagram: @valentne_maya.
