United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean Shingai Shoniwa (pictured) demonstrated why she is one of the highly rated performers the world over on Thursday at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa), with a spectacular performance that wowed thousands that thronged the Telecel Main Stage on the day.
REPORT BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
When Shoniwa came home last year, she was an utter “alien” and she loved it. She promised she would be back for Hifa, which she did, bringing to the event one of the best performances this year.
Shoniwa, who performed with her band, The Noisettes, thrilled the arena leaving her audience awestruck.
Exhibiting bass guitar skills that could leave even Alick Macheso green with envy she was complemented further by her fellow band member Dan Smith who thrilled revellers with his exquisite lead guitar.
It was her collaborations with Hope Masike, Chiwoniso Maraire and Tariro Ruzvidzo of the Tariro Negitare fame that became the icing on the cake.
The four women delivered a brilliant traditional Zimbabwean sound with Ruzvidzo on the lead guitar, Shoniwa on bass, Masike on kongas while the mbira queen Chiwoniso played the thumb piano.
Chikwata 263 who performed on the same day earlier were on the disappointing side with an unconvincing show.
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The stage managers had to switch off the public address system after the group had extended their slot risking interfering with other shows that were about to start at venues close by.
The festival which ends tonight will end on high note with Zimbabwe’s fastest rising band Mokoomba performing at Telecel Main Stage.
After Mokoomba it will be a dancehall affair with Sniper Storm performing on Coca Cola Green and Judgement Yard signing off.
The six day long festivities in the past week illuminated the capital with some spectacular performances.
Debutants like Jah Prayzah and the Dembo siblings Morgan and Tendai with Jonah Moyo did exceptionally well.
Also on the line-up is the Roki and Mampi collaboration that will see the two former Big Brother housemates reunite after performing in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
On the theatre scene plays to watch include, Ten Bush, Coming to ZIm, Immigrants and Dickens the Master Storyteller among others.
leave even Alick Macheso green with envy. She was complemented further by her fellow band member Dan Smith who thrilled revellers with his exquisite lead guitar.
It was her collaborations with Hope Masike, Chiwoniso Maraire and Tariro Ruzvidzo of the Tariro Negitare fame that became the icing on the cake.
The four women delivered a brilliant traditional Zimbabwean sound with Ruzvidzo on the lead guitar, Shoniwa on bass, Masike on kongas while the mbira queen Chiwoniso played the thumb piano.
Chikwata 263, who performed earlier on the same day were on the disappointing side with an unconvincing show. The stage managers had to switch off the public address system after the group had extended their slot, risking interfering with other shows that were about to start at venues close by.
The festival will end on a high note tonight with Zimbabwe’s fastest rising band Mokoomba performing at the Telecel Main Stage.
When Mokoomba are done, a dancehall affair with Sniper Storm and Judgement Yard will commence at 10pm at Coca-Cola Green.
The six-day festivities in the past week illuminated the capital with some spectacular performances.
Debutants like Jah Prayzah and the Dembo siblings Morgan and Tendai with Jonah Moyo did exceptionally well.
Also on the line-up is the Roki and Mampi collaboration that will see the two former Big Brother housemates reunite after performing in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
On the theatre scene, plays to watch include, Ten Bush, Coming to Zim, Immigrants and Dickens the Master Storyteller, among others.
