The Herald on Sistaz at 6

Wednesday, 23 January 2013 00:00

Tawanda Ngena Arts Correspondent “SISTAZ Open Mic”, a talent search programme run by Pamberi Trust in collaboration with Dutch aid agency Hivos, turned six on Saturday, and the party held at the Book Cafe was characterised by poetry, music and dance. And on hand to add spark to the celebrations were poets Momo, Breezy, Tanaka Dziva, Red Ruff Rider, Roots and award-winning Botswana poet Mandisa Mabuthoe as well as upcoming musicians Lorraine Gambiza, Interface, Chitsinde, Miriam Kunaka, Rudorwashe Chasi and red-hot hip-hopper Tammy. Momo got the ball rolling with a sublime piece titled “Our Kiss” and wowed the audience with her cool delivery and simplicity. Breezy (Sound of Music), Tanaka Dziva, Red Ruff Rider (Fashion) and Roots (Ancient Age) also made it clear that they were not just there to make up the numbers. But it was not until the multi-talented Mandisa - who is an acclaimed poet, playwright, and art teacher - took to the stage with her hard-hitting and sometimes sexually explicit rhymes that poetry section moved a gear up. She performed four pieces - No More Free Sex”, “Passive Indecision”, “Love Story” and “Dragon Fly” - every one of them to ringing applause. I have to say I do not remember a dull moment during her act. You need to have been there to experience the power of the spoken word. Among the musicians special mention goes to Chitsinde, a two-woman band, whose guitar-playing skills provided a flashback to the Bhundu Boys heydays, Rudorwashe Chasi and Thamsanqa Moyo or simply Tammy. Tammy literally brought the house down with a sizzling performance of “Party Time” taken off her two-track album, Party Time, Celebrate Yo Lyf,” released in 2011. At the tender age of 15, Tammy has already shared the stage with international artistes like Joe Thomas and rubbed shoulders with music icon Oliver Mtukudzi. in addition, she has performed at high-profile events like the Harare International Festival of the Arts and the National Arts Merit Awards and, believe it or not, New York’s Madison Square Garden. Did I hear someone say: “Surely, Zimbabwe has its own Rihanna”? Well, that about sums up Tammy’s performance on Saturday. Guest artiste Clare Nyakudjara, a product of the Sistaz Open Mic, capped the celebrations with a virtuoso performance comprising plug tracks “Ndinogona”, “Ndinotenda” and “Famba Neni” from her debut eight-track album “Haudi Nei”. Sistaz Open Mic is an innovative platform for talented performers to express themselves at an event created with the needs of women artistes in mind. Although the Book Cafe hosts a monthly poetry slam open to both men and women, as well as a weekly Open Mic night every Tuesday, Sistaz Open Mic is a special event created and designed to support women artistes. The first Sistaz Open Mic was held in 2007 under the FLAME (Female Literary Arts and Music Enterprise) programme which is administered by Pamberi Trust. The growth of this popular event is a direct result of young artistes taking ownership of the project and, critically, mentoring by established women artistes such as Dudu Manhenga, who has been critical to the project, first as a co-ordinator, and now as staunch supporter and mentor to the young ladies who come and perform. The audience often includes talent scouts who represent professional artistes, which has led to lucrative work and careers for some, including the phenomenal Edith weUtonga and talented young singer Tina Watyoka.

Zimbabwe Independent on Sistaz at 6

FEMALE talent search programme, Sistaz Open Mic, celebrated its sixth anniversary recently with various performances from upcoming and established artistes at the Book Café.


Staff Writer
Artistes from a cross section of genres hailed the programme, part of the Female Literary Arts and Music Enterprise project designed to unearth and foster talent run by Pamberi Trust and supported by Hivos.
Jazz artiste Clare Nyakujara saluted the programme for nurturing her: “I want to thank everyone who has supported Sistaz Open Mic and I would like to urge them to continue doing so. I am grateful for their support as one of the products,” said Nyakujara.

Clare Nyakujara with Uzanele Manhenga

 Another up-and-coming artiste, Zanele Manhenga, also added her voice in applauding the initiative.
“Some of us are a product of this initiative. I want to thank the organisers for coming up with and sustaining the platform,” she said.

Uzanele, MC of the day

 During the event, Botswana poet Mandisa Mabuthoe, the first winner of regional Poetry Slam, gave a scintillating performance.

Mandisa Mabuthoe

 Poets who participated include Momo Size, Barbra “Breeze” Anderson, Tanaka Dziva and Roots. Talented jazz artiste Lein Munyaradzi Nyamarebvu also performed a solo act in support of the “sisters”.
Some of the famous names in the music industry involved in Sistaz Open Mic include Dudu Manhenga and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana.

Talented guitarist Rudo Chasi was one of the best acts of the day as she sent audience into delirium when she performed together with Nyamarebvu. Part of the crowd included musicians Lady B, Edith WeUtonga and Ba Shupi. The event marked the first 2013 edition of the monthly affair.

Sistaz Open Mic @ 6

Talented women artists are gearing up to celebrate the 6th anniversary of Sistaz Open Mic at the Book Cafe on Saturday January 19 at 2pm.  This special event is a rare treat that includes a combination of established and amateur women artists performing music, poetry and dance at a unique event that gives women the opportunity to 'strut their stuff' on the Book Cafe stage.  The female-centric event promises dynamic, not-to-be-missed performances at a daytime show followed by a performance by Sistaz Open Mic 'graduate' Tariro neGitare at 5:30pm.

Sistaz Open Mic is an innovative, delightful showcase of Harare's raw, female talent.  Launched and developed by Pamberi Trust in January 2007, this vital event takes place at the Book Cafe on the second Saturday of each month.  Pamberi Trust runs a weekly 'Open Mic' program every Tuesday night where amateur artists-both men and women-can come and perform on a professional stage.  However, this programme begins at 7pm and often finishes quite late at night. And so, the Sistaz Open Mic programme was developed to provide a safe, day-time platform that women could come and take part in, and still get home safely before dark.

Rudo Chasi

Poet and Pamberi Trust Gender Projects Officer, Batsirai Chigama says, “Open Mic has over the years become the place to be on the second Saturday of each month, where the 'sistaz' always know they can come and have a great time.  The crowd is always warm and more welcoming.  It is a much more endearing crowd which boosts the confidence of emerging women artists”.  This Saturday, Pamberi Trust celebrates 6 years of a successful Sistaz Open Mic programme.  To mark the occasion, this month's event will have a few prominent local and international female artists in attendance.

Mandisa Mabuthoe acclaimed poet and winner of the first Regional Poetry Slam in 2011 hailing from Botswana, will be present to support Zimbabwean female artists.  Also present will be local artists Clare Nyakujara and Tamy Moyo, who have performed at the Sistaz Open Mic regularly in the past and who will also raise their beautiful voices in song and perform Saturday afternoon.  Finally, in attendance will be international recording artist Shingai Shoniwa, front-woman of the popular UK indie-rock band, The Noisettes.  Shoniwa is a fierce performer, who has drawn comparisons to Grace Jones for her fierce style and unmatched and unique vocals. As the lead singer of the The Noisettes, Shoniwa (who is half-Zimbabwean) is part of a small pool of talented diasporans who represent Zimbabwe abroad.  These fabulously talented women will all be present to give support to the aspiring women performers.

Sistaz Open will be hosted by frequent Sistaz Open Mic performer, Yolanda Hassan this Saturday.  Over the years, the growth of Sistaz Open Mic is a direct result of young, female artists taking ownership of the project and mentoring by established women artists.  The event is fully run by women, including stage management, photography, filming and administration.  Word of mouth publicity is strong, and along with supportive family and friends, the audience often includes talent scouts from professional artists, which has led to lucrative work for some. 

Recognizing that some women are mothers, artists are encouraged to bring their kids who enjoy the music and festive, communal atmosphere.

Tariro Ruzvidzo, known professionally as Tariro neGitare, will headline her own show after the Sistaz Open Mic, with a show-stopping performance.  Tariro neGitare used the Sistaz Open Mic platform to perfect her skills, founded Acoustic Night at the Zimbabwe German Society (ZGS) and regularly performs at the coffee shop Freshly Ground.

Tariro NeGitare

 Ruzvidzo says of Sistaz Open Mic, “Its the platform where I started. 

Thats where I first started playing the guitar publicly.  I was a singer before, just at church, and at home.  But at Sistaz Open Mic is where I first performed professionally. Thats when I met up with Edith [Edith weUtonga], and we started performing in the band.”

Sistaz Open Mic is part of the Pamberi Trust FLAME (Female Literary, Arts and Music Enterprise) programme at the Book Cafe which provides gender-sensitive platforms, publicity and exposure, performance opportunities, networking and skills workshops. Successful female artists who have performed at Sistaz Open Mic include: Chiwoniso Maraire, Hope Masike, Eyahra Mathazia, Tariro neGitare, Dudu Manhenga, Clare Nyakujara, Tina Watyoka, Lady Thanda and Kessia Magosha. Acclaimed Spoken-word Poets Roxanne 'Xapa' Mathazia, Linda 'Poetic Angel'Gabriel, Cynthia 'Flowchyld' Marangwanda and Primrose Dzenga have also come through, while actresses Priscilla and Privilege Mutendera have delighted audiences with their acting skills.

Tina Watyoka

 Sistaz Open Mic is proud to celebrate their 6th birthday at the Book Cafe at its new venue.  To mark the 6-year anniversary, there will be special give-aways and prizes.  The public are invited to come dance, sing and even perform as we celebrate with the female artists of Sistaz Open Mic on the Book Cafe stage.  Registration is anytime before 2pm on Saturday.  Come and join us for an unforgettable afternoon!

END

Prepared by Tawanda Mudzonga (Miss)

for Pamberi Trust

Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa Album Launch

Tanyaradzwa who?  Currently studying Music, Theater, French, Music Performance and African Studies at Princeton University, an Ivy League university located in New Jersey, USA, Tanyaradzwa shines as an intellect, a leader and a performer.  She is founder and president of Umqombothi, Princeton’s African a cappella ensemble.  This year alone she managed to bag two awards Princeton University, NJ – Winner of Handel Competition (2012) and Princeton University, NJ – Recipient of Adam’s Award, a cash award for ethnomusicology research (2012).  She has performed for Charlize Theron, Rosario Dawson, Jane Fonda and Gabourey Sidibe. 

 Tanyaradzwa with Clive Mono Mukundu performing at the launch

Tanyaradzwa does much of the instrumentation for her music.  She is an amazing piano/keyboard player and also plays mbira and guitar.

She launched her debut self-entitled album, Tanyaradzwa on Monday at the Book Cafe.   Also celebrating her 21^st birthday Tanyaradzwa was supported by friends and family who filled the Book Café to a capacity crowd.

Her six-track album features among other tracks Time & Time, Jesu Anondidisisa and a rendition of the hymn “Ndinoshamiswa Kwazvo.”

Asked what kind of music she plays Tanyaradzwa says “My music is an Afro-soul fusion blended with influences from Vaughan Williams and John Tavener and is influenced by performers such as Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Asa, Mary J. Blige, Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Chiwoniso and Oliver Mtukudzi.”  Tanyaradzwa describes her songs as pages of her diary, “each song is a part of me and tracks my growth as a woman.”

When did this all begin? “I began singing at the age of three with my church solo debut of Whitney Houston’s “Who Would Imagine a King.”   From then onwards her musical talents were consistently nurtured she says. She began studying classical piano at the age of 10 under the tutelage of Sr. Loyola of the Dominican Convent Harare.  At 13, Tanyaradzwa took up cello and was part of the Harare Youth Orchestra conducted by Roz Whaley.  At 15 she began vocal training and opera study with Margot Dennis. 

 Tanyaradzwa with band members, Frank Mavhimira, Freedom Manatsa after the launch

Tanyaradzwa is joined on stage by her mom

Speaking to Tanyaradzwa’s ecstatic mother who has always been supportive she said, “Being an artist is not an easy road and I think young artists need support from family and friends to help the shape their dream.”  Also speaking at the launch was Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana who gave the background to Tanyaradzwa’s music al journey as well as the Producer of the album, Clive Mono Mukundu.  Mono lamented the fact that there are quite a number of promising young musicians who are not being given a chance in terms of airplay but I doubt if they will be able to resist this determined and accomplished Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa.

  

By Batsirai E Chigama

for FLAME