Voices of the Future at Sistaz Open Mic

Sisters of all kinds will be gathering at Book Cafe on Saturday 13 April for Sistaz Open Mic, a lively platform for emerging (and also well-established) women artists, from 2-5pm.  It's an invitation to "do your thang - song, dance, poetry, comedy, whateva!”  and a platform for free expression by young women of Zimbabwe.

April’s theme is ‘Voices of the Future’.  The fascinating thing about Sistaz Open Mic is that you never know who will be on stage – from the outright first-timers - the uncut diamonds - to some of Zimbabwe’s most popular poets, singers and musicians.  Will Dudu Manhenga be there?  Or Tariro Ruzvido (‘Tari neGitare’) back from Europe?  Who will be sharing the stage with who on that happy day?

For many young women this is a first exposure to a big live audience of the general public, but in the spirit of Sistaz Open mic they are accorded a warm welcome and lots of encouragement to step up to the microphone. 

Leading the way and showing how it is done will be women artists who have travelled the road in the Zimbabwe music industry, and reached acclaim both at home, and some abroad.  Others will be those who are already in and swiftly rising in the ranks while growing steadily.  Will Tina Watyoka make it back from Gweru and her studies at Midlands State University for the show?  Can we expect other young women who are educating themselves in music in that institution? 

So far confirmed guests are Agnes Sambewe and Patience Mpofu from 'SHURO', a young group all the way from Zvishavane hot off the Midlands circuit and now making its debut in Harare later that afternoon, and the lively young singer-songwriter ‘Uza’ takes a turn as MC for the day.  Registration for performers will quickly fill up, and those who want to participate should check in early to sign up with the MC (before 2pm).  The team of women who run the event have a collective saying "Sistaz, this is your space - come and claim it!"

What is certain is a great afternoon of women in the arts, supported by brothers and by each other.  Welcome to three hours of outright entertainment and first hand introduction to Voices of the Future!  

Pamberi Trust is an arts development association which works to identify and nurture young artists of Zimbabwe, bring women artists into the mainstream of the arts and provide platforms for freedom of expression at Book Cafe.  Development programmes by Pamberi Trust operate with the support of the European Union, Hivos and others.