Inside the world of dance and choreography in Zimbabwe … the work of Brian Geza.

Photo by Fungai Tichavangana

Kubatana recently went Inside/Out with Brian Geza, dancer, choreographer and boozer soccer player!

What does your background experience in choreography and dance consist of?
My transformation from being a dancer to a choreographer includes moving from being a Tumbuka dancer to choreography.

Describe yourself in five words?
Sociable, fun loving and friendly.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Never take shortcuts in life.

What are the most important elements that somebody can get out of choreography and dance?  
Thought provoking moments that can invoke debate.

Brian, what is your major source of inspiration?
My late father and mother.

What is your most treasured possession?  
My family.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
When my freedom of expression is blocked.

Do you have any strange hobbies?
Yes, I play boozers soccer.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My potbelly.

What is your greatest fear?
Fear of the unknown.

What were you like at school?
Besides being talkative I was an average student.

What are you doing next?
Keep on keeping on with my work.

In one of Kubatana’s recent newsletters, in the very interesting what’s up section, we wondered if Zimbabwe were to hold the inaugural Harare International Carnival, whether the likes of Lady Gaga and other international artists might surprise and delight audiences with some unscripted remarks on, for example, the right to freedom of expression. It seems there is a lot more to wonder about regarding the line up at the carnival. ZTA chief executive, Kaseke, has said that there will be a Samba night during the carnival. In the report carried by the The Herald, he states that its strictly no under 18.

“There will be a Samba night. Only samba dance that night. Strictly no under 18! Samba dance is for adults, ask those who have been to Brazil. It is explosive.”

Samba dance is of Brazilian origin. The dance is sexual as evidenced by the moves and nudity. What amazes me is that we as a nation have failed to accept our dancers in the pole dancing and stripping business. Bevy and Zoey were once arrested last year for public indecency. So a nation that can hold in detention its local dancers, is holding a Samba night? We are all excited about the carnival so no more knives out for local dancers; let’s level the playing field. In fact it will be interesting if we could have our local dancers take up Samba for the carnival too.

Pictured above: uZanele at IWD 2012

Sistaz of the Open Mic celebrate International Women’s Day
Saturday 9 March 2013, Book Cafe, Harare

On Saturday 9 March, the lively SISTAZ OPEN MIC programme at the Book Cafe celebrates International Women’s Day from 3pm, with a vivid line-up of women artists ready to step out and express themselves freely in celebration of women everywhere.

The line-up includes mbira princess Hope Masike, recently returned from a quick trip to Europe; popular singer-songwriters Rute Mbangwa and Clare Nyakujara, guitarist Rudo Chasi, Zimbabwe-rocker Kessia Magosha recently returned from a Rock music programme in Johannesburg; the afrocentric M’Afriq featuring lead singer and front-lady Pauline Gundidza, and a special performance of ‘3 Generations’: afrojazz-istas Dudu Manhenga, the strongly up&coming ‘uZanele’ and Clare Nyakujara.  The spoken word will be carried by poets Roxy ‘Xapa’ Mathazia, Batsirai Chigama, Charity Hutete, and RuTendo DeNise, with Wadzanai Chiuriri as MC.

The Sistaz Open Mic ‘after-party’ continues from 5.30pm with the lady of love songs Plaxedes Wenyika and her backing band, until 7pm, featuring songs from her albums ‘Tisa Paradzane’, ‘Kamumhanzi’, ‘Sentiments’ ‘Full Circle’ and her very latest single ‘Kuva Newe’ (Being with you), hot from the studio and expected on the airwaves next week.

The Women’s Day commemoration by Pamberi Trust is supported in part by the Embassy of Canada for the second year running, giving vital support to initiatives for freedom of expression by women artists and gender advancement in general.

Other events to mark the week at Book Cafe include a free screening presented by Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe on Wednesday 6 March of the film ‘CUT’ – a confrontation with the brutal practice of female genital mutilation; a delightful evening performance on Thursday 7 March by three of Zimbabwe’s popular women artists entitled ‘3Generations: Dudu, Uzanele and Clare’, and a networking session for women artists and organisations before the Sistaz Open Mic.

International Women’s Day around the world
The 2013 Theme for celebrations around the world is ‘The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum.  Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 around the world, by individuals and organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media.  Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women each year, and to draw attention to global and local gender issues.

Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed.  In Zimbabwe, there is much to be celebrated, and the Sistaz Open Mic on Saturday 9 March will honour some of the women in the Arts in Zimbabwe, who have

Sistaz Open Mic falls under the gender project FLAME (Female Literary Arts & Music Enterprise) of Harare-based arts development organisation Pamberi Trust, which has worked with hundreds of women artists over the years and commemorated the 16 Days of activism every year since 2007, with women artists speaking out loud and proud in protest against violence in our society.

The Book Cafe celebrations this March follow on from a powerful programme in November-December 2012 with 16 events staged around the global campaign ’16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women’, which featured film, discussion, workshops and music and poetry performances, graced by US hiphop artist Akua Naru and over 80 women artists of Zimbabwe.

As always, Sistaz Open Mic promises to be a lively and highly entertaining affair, with a strong sense of purpose – it’s a time for women of Harare to come out to meet, learn more, and celebrate themselves against a backdrop of great music and poetry from sisters in the Arts.

Other aspects of the gender programme are supported by Hivos, the European Union and other partners.

- Press Release from the Book Cafe

Book Café Wins Prestigious NAMA Award

A week ago on February 16th, The National Arts Council presented The Book Café with a NAMA Award for National Arts Service.  The Book Café is one of Zimbabwe’s most important arts and culture venues, combining entertainment and artist development with informative discussions and critical platforms for freedom of speech.   Book Café Senior Arts and Communications Officer Extra-Blessing Kuchera accepted the award at the star-studded ceremony.

The event was well-attended by various dignitaries, including Minister of Education, Sports and Culture David Coltart, ZiFM head Supa Mandiwanzira and music legend Oliver Mtukudzi.  The Book Café received the National Arts Service award in recognition of the achievements of its live music venue and the outstanding support it gives to artists.

Book Cafe is part of Pamberi Trust and is founded on the belief that the arts are critical in shaping values that reflect society.  Since its inception in 1997, The Book Café has evolved into a lively arts hub that is open 7 days a week and offers an art space that has become a place where all cultures mix freely and comfortably.

This award is the first time Book Café has been recognized by the National Arts Council.  Senior Arts and Communications Officer Extra-Blessing Kuchera was very excited to receive the reward as it was completely unexpected.  Kuchera says, “NAMA had said they wanted a representative from Pamberi Trust to come and present an award at the ceremony.  They wanted to surprise Book Café so they didn’t tell us.  I was supposed to present the National Arts Service Award to someone else.  It was a genuine surprise!  It’s a special award.  They created this for specific individuals and organizations that have excelled in terms of developing arts in Zimbabwe.”

Kuchera was presented the award by acclaimed musician and guest of honour, Oliver Mtukudzi.  Last year the National Arts Service Award was awarded to Prince Tendai Mpfurutsa.  Speaking about the significance for the award Kuchera said, “NAMA looked at the quality that came out of The Book Café.  However, from my perspective it’s just hard work, team work, commitment, determination and being responsible.  The most important thing is being able to help people realize their potential – to go another mile.  Being able to give people that opportunity is what we do and that’s what the award is all about.  The artists are the ones who really deserve this award because they are the ones who come in and build themselves, who come in and enjoy their time at Book Café, and who come in and make a name that enables them to go places.”

The Book Café has been in operation for 16 years.  In 2012, they moved from their location in Five Avenue to their new premises a stone’s throw away on Samora Machel.  Last March, The Book Cafe received the prestigious Prince Claus Award for excellence in the arts from the Dutch organization, The Prince Claus Fund.  Importantly, most of Zimbabwe’s well-known and well-loved musicians have performed or received critical support and mentoring through the many platforms and opportunities at The Book Café.  These include, Chiwoniso Maraire, Victor Kunonga, 2013 NAMA Award winner Hope Masike, 2013 triple NAMA Award winner Suluman Chimbetu and singer Peace Ndlovu, popularly known as Ba Shupi.

Ba Shupi is a talented artist who is rising in the music scene, in part because of the important platform provided for artists at The Book Café.  About the Book Café he says, “The Book Café is a platform that I also came into.  I have learnt a lot and a lot has happened in my life through the Book Café, and the Open Mic and all the activities that happen at Book Café.  For me to have a band, I got it from Book Café because it’s a meeting place for all different artists.  In Zimbabwe the Book Café, are doing their level best to uplift us artists.  That’s where I met people like Chiwoniso Maraire and all kinds of artists.  At the end of the day, my dream would be for the Book Café to expand to other towns because every artist gets the opportunity to showcase their talent”.

Book Café continues to play a critical role in the development and promotion of arts and culture in Zimbabwe.  Congratulations on their award.

Press Release from Book Cafe