AFRICA’S yesteryear hits are set to be on the limelight on Saturday at the Rainbow 7Arts Theatre in Avondale when local artists perform copyrights of some of the popular songs from the continent. The show, which is titled Songs Out of Africa is the first of its kind in the country as previous shows have focused on local and Western copyright tracks.
It will be a theatre of old school renditions with the likes of Idols finalist Samantha Tirivacho, Zeena Beins and Kirby Chipembere performing songs from great musicians like Salif Keita, Miriam Makeba, Johnny Clegg, Brenda Fassie, Juluka and Oliver Mtukudzi among others. The show is likely to take many a reveller down memory lane as hits like Impi, Pata Pata, Click Song, Substitute, Lion Sleeps Tonight and Spirit of the Great Heart come to our doorsteps through fresh voices.
Event organisers Eclipse Productions said they had crafted the programme with the aim of promoting regional old school music and familiarise younger generations with the music that rocked the continent some time back.
Rehearsals are already in full swing and Standardplus had an opportunity to attend one of the preparatory sessions where the performers showed that they were raring to make a storm during the event.
But the Saturday show would be a final preview of the programme since the performances will open to the public from Wednesday night.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will see the show starting at 7pm while the Saturday performances will kick off in the afternoon.
Also on the list of performers is an a cappella group Echoes of Eternity while the instrumentalists were drawn from the Celebration Choir band. Outstanding among the guitarists are young musician Q-Montana, who will be playing bass guitar and Norman Muparutsa on lead.
Eclipse Productions spokesperson Stanley Katungamidza said the programme was meant to expose talented performers that have not had a chance to be on the limelight.
“We are determined to unleash, nurture, expose and promote untapped talent among the youths,” he said.  “There are many talented musicians that are either lacking the platform to showcase their talent or confidence to show their capability.  “This programme seeks to promote such people by giving them training, mentorship and exposure. “We use copyright songs because we want to mostly build stage confidence and voice projection skills among other things before the young musicians can go to compose their own songs or form own groups.”
Katungamidza said part of the proceeds of the show would go towards funding brain surgery for Dominican Convent pupil Vimbai Gakanji. Vimbai developed a brain tumour six years ago and has undergone five operations for different complications. She was at some time wheel-chair bound due to the condition. However following one of the surgeries she has been able to walk without assistance. Then six months ago she lost her eyesight. The fifth operation will seek to restore her eyesight.
The show will be produced and directed by Eclipse Productions director Mark Robbins.

BY GODWIN MUZARI

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