A little while ago we had the real pleasure of dropping in on the Open Studio Art Event in Athlone which featured artists like  Misheck Masamvu, Gareth Nyandoro, Aubrey Bango, Masimba Hwati, Tafadzwa Gwetai and others. There was such a good vibe with artists working in situ, as well as great entertainment and of course … The Art was amazing. Let’s hope there will be more of these creative artistic gatherings in Harare.

On my way out after a show last night a young man spotted the camera around my neck and demanded (in a nice way) that I take his picture, pretty soon a couple of his friends wanted their pictures too. Now, usually I’m wary of being alone with three young men in the dark, but HIFA has a way with people. We had a lot of laughs taking the photos and they even took down our web address to see them live on the internet.

Being a fan of classic movies especially those featuring big bands, swing, jazz and dance I couldn’t miss the opportunity to watch the Jazz Tap Ensemble at HIFA. The ensemble was established in 1979 by three dancers and three musicians. They have shared the stage with such tap legends as Savion Glover and Gregory Hines.

Tap dance originated in the 1800s, and has its roots in African-American dancing and Irish step dancing. It is believed to have arisen in minstrel shows which gained popularity at that time where white performers would satirize southern african-americans dances, and black performers in blackface would imitate the white performers imitating black dances. Likewise Jazz is also born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. Both art forms are quintessentially American, and symbols of the beauty that can overcome a painful past.

Two minutes with…Aubrey Stanley

Aubrey Stanley has performed at HIFA since 2006. This year he was performed in the Opening Show as a backing vocalist.

How did you get involved with HIFA?
I’ve been a part of HIFA since about 2006, performing every year. I started when I was 16, and I was part of the Prince Edward School Jazz Band. My last year to perform with them was in 2009 I was captain of the band. This year Vimbai Mukarati was directing, we had worked together before, so he called me and asked me to perform.

What has been the best part of the festival so far for you?
I enjoyed everyone on stage for the Opening; we’re all friends. We just have a good time. At the end of it we were a bit depressed because we knew that it was the end.  The bonding is the best part for me, we get closer as friends. After rehearsals we didn’t want to go home!

What keeps you coming back every year?
It’s the atmosphere. I think it’s the greatest event that we have in this country especially since they bring in artists from all over the world. There’s so much going on, and it’s so well coordinated over so many venues. I haven’t seen anything run so well that’s this big in Zimbabwe.

If you haven’t already seen it, get down to the Standard Theatre tonight to be entertained and charmed by the very quirky Third Person: Bonnie & Clyde (Redux). This show is completely refreshing both in terms of content and performance style. HIFA – more of this kind of theatre next year please! And if the gorgeous actress Gillian Lees is single, please get hold of me.

Later on I went to see Icons: Ziya Azazi. This was a provocative and challenging dance experience. Perhaps a bit too avant-garde for Zimbabwe judging from how many people left the performance. The changes in choreography were very subtle but beautiful and the music (or sound) was very ragged in places. I was completely thrilled to have had the opportunity to see this show.

Note: The only downside to today’s performances was the fact that women in this country seem to use toilet air freshener as perfume.

ADZT Statement on the Death of its Chairman Walter Lambert Mparutsa
13 April 2012

Renowned artist, theatre practitioner and Artists for Democracy in Zimbabwe Trust (ADZT) Chairman, Walter Lambert Mparutsa has died. He was 72. Mparutsa died late on Thursday evening after he developed complications during a blood transfusion process. He was suffering from a cancer ailment. Mparutsa will be remembered for his artistic prowess which earned him many accolades and praise locally and internationally. He belonged to a special group of Zimbabwean artists better known as protest artists. He was a great believer in freedom of expression, human rights and democracy. At the time of his death he was running his Global Arts Theatre Association and was Chairperson of Artists for Democracy in Zimbabwe Trust (ADZT). He was also in process of putting together the annual Chimanimani Arts Festival.

In 2003 he was part of a group of artists who fought censorship of the arts by taking the government to court following the banning of the play Super Patriots and Morons. The play was a sad reflection of the state of the country’s human rights, lawlessness, and murder of President Robert Mugabe’s opposition activists, economic meltdown, unemployment, starvation, corruption and endless shortages of virtually all basic necessities. It was banned on suspicion that was it lampooning the then 83-year-old President Robert Mugabe who at the time had clocked 27 straight years in power. For us at ADZT it is a great loss which can never be quantified. He was a mentor, a steward, adviser and above all a great pillar of strength. We will forever miss him with his great sense of humour which made him a friend of both the young and the old. His fearlessness was a great virtue which we will forever cherish. May his family be strengthened in this time of mourning knowing fully well that his life was one which was greatly lived.

The theatre guru at one time produced a play that depicted him as a cancer patient and ironically it is the same disease which led to his death.

Apart from his theatre work he was also also known for his talent in film. He acted in films such as Yellow Card in 2000, Everyone’s Child in 1996, Cry Freedom in 1987 and Play Warriors in 2011. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Mourners are gathered at his house at Number 29 Pollet Drive Belvedere in Harare. Pollet Drive is off Mutley Avenue which is opposite the National Sports Stadium on the side where a Chinese hotel is under construction. Details of his burial are yet to be announced by the family.