Culture Beat Africa to launch arts showcase in Bulawayo

All is set for the Live and Fluid inaugural arts showcase presented by Culture Beat Africa. The multi-genre showcase of music, dance and spoken word will take place as from the 30^th of July at the National Gallery in Bulawayo.

The maiden show will feature Roots, a five member Afro traditional band, Phakama Mfazi, an all-woman dance ensemble, and rising stand-up comedian Keith Nkosi.

“The idea behind the blog  is to create a platform for African artists to come together on a singular stage. More importantly the idea is to present to the city audience and to travellers a place for them to consume superlative creative works in a family friendly environment”, said Mr Kudita, the organizer.

The initiative is being implemented at a time when Poetry On Thursday, which shares similar ideas of bringing poetry, music and dance on one platform, is reviving Bulawayo’s Arts industry. Poetry On Thursday was created in November 2014 by Tswarelo Mothobi in partnership with Kimba Brookes the co-owner of Indaba Book Café and Sandwich Bar. Therefore, to create an additional regular arts performance platform in the City of Kings and Queens is the initial idea behind Culture Beat Africa. That is how the Live and Fluid stage on came about.

Owen Maseko

“The idea is also premised on the creation of an additional regular performance platform locally. Currently there is the weekly Thursday event at Indaba Book Café, and a sputtering of night club gigs here and there. So Live and Fluid is one more stage which is a calendar event”, added Mr Kudita.

Live and Fluid is not only confined to Bulawayo artists. It is open to all Zimbabwean, African and Global artists. The multi genre showcase is largely collaborative and communal in aspiration and design.

On this innovative project Culture Beat Africa is partnering with the British Council, Boom City, Multimedia Box, Sound Kulcha, The Music Shop, and Swazy Litho. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporate will distribute the content. The main highlight of the show, vibrant comedian Keith Nkosi who was last year quoted saying, “Comedy in Bulawayo is still young but it’s getting there. We have the artists but the audience is not yet there”, looks forward to a large audience. With the city’s arts industry having been rejuvenated, the Live and Fluid on stage is expected to be well attendant.

“ Since Art unites people, we expect all races and tribes in our city, locals and visitors, to come on the 30^th of July with their families to the National Gallery of Bulawayo to enjoy creativity in a non-threatening secure environment”, said Mr Kudita.