Staff Writer
Dubbed the pre-Shoko Festival Talent Show case, Harare Open Mic returns this Saturday, 13 September at Moto Republik, 2-5p.m.
With the main aim of preparing young artists for the bigger stages, this edition’s showcase and partnership is befitting in that Moto Republik is not just a venue but a thriving cultural hub that hosts Shoko Festival, one of the biggest urban festivals in the country.
Since it’s launch 5 years ago Harare Open Mic continues to witness new powerful voices rising especially in music, poetry, comedy and story-telling.
As usual this edition was heavily oversubscribed with over 70 potential participants submitting their work for registration.
Tina Nomsa Watyoka appears as the Guest of Honour for the September edition. Tina’s artistic journey started at The Book Café, a creative hub that nurtured talent of dozens of artists.
Through the Sistaz Open Mic and workshops organized by Pamberi Trust, she learned vital skills in mic handling, stage presence, and the business of music. This platform played a crucial role in her development as an artist.
She released her debut album, Introducing Tina, in 2010, featuring the hit track “CHII,” which gained popularity on Spot FM (now Classic 263). Her second album, Ndoita Sei, came out in February 2014 and received positive recognition on Star FM.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Tina chose the saxophone as her primary instrument, recognizing the lack of female saxophonists in Zimbabwe.
She finds inspiration in local saxophonists like Sylvanous Matewe, Osborne Matengenzara (I AM KING), and Joseph Chinouriri (Jose Sax), as well as international artists like David Sanborn, Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, and her favorite, Gerald Albright.
“By bringing seasoned artists to this stage, I hope that the young artists can learn a thing or two especially on stage work and gather basic knowledge of the business of being an artist. In the March edition we were honoured to have Ruth Mbangwa come through and share very critical nuggets on her journey as a musician.
Ruth capped her talk with a beautiful performance which left many in awe. It is from such interactions and also interactions among themselves – the young artists, that I hope their futures can be shaped into meaningful and productive experiences,” said Chigama the organizer of Harare Open Mic.
Billed to perform are the rising hip voices in poetry, Tadana Nakai, Praymore, Dumiso, Yvonne Matanhire, Matipaishe Mavunga alongside seasoned story tellers such as Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi, Tawanda Vombo,Tinashe Muchuri and Shingirai Manyengavana.
Hip Hop artist N.T.M who had the crowd on their feet in the March edition in back again. Other promising musician to take to the stage are Nicole Livett, Nelson Mbewe, Ariphileng Kwela alongside the rising Tendai and Nothando Mhlanga.
Harare Open Mic also welcomes a host of new musicians, poets, comedians and storytellers coming to perform for the first time.
Carrying the proceedings of the day as the MC will be D-blok Keislim’s. D-blok is a Hip Hop artist who has been takin’ over stages with her sharp lyrics, effortless flow, and unapologetic style.
It is expected to be an afternoon of fun-fare and an exhibit of the cultural pulse of new voices rising and shaping Harare artistic landscape.
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