Sofar Sounds Harare presented its latest intimate concert, starring songbird Prudence Katomeni, jazz prodigy Josh Meck and poet Linda Gabriel, in a mini fashion themed music concert, organised in partnership with the Fashion Council of Zimbabwe (FCoZ).
The 14th edition was hosted on Saturday last week at The Showroom Collective Shop located at Borrowdale Racecourse. The shop is a supplier of decorative paint and specialist coatings for walls, floors and swimming pools.
The show opened with a poetry performance by Gabriel who travelled all the way from her base in Zvimba, Mashonaland West province. Gabriel, who for many years had taken a sabbatical from the creative space to focus on farming and motherhood, is one of the crop of exciting female performance poets to emerge out of Zimbabwe. Bilingual, her linguistic versatility is forged into brilliant poems written in either English or Shona.
During her set, she unveiled her latest book of poems titled 'Journey by Linda Gabriel', which is a collection of forty-six poems. The audience resonated with her presence as she performed 'While I breathe', 'Lenovo', 'For Sis' and 'Swedera', a title poem taken from her Shona erotica collection.
The artist shared that the collection represents a multifaceted journey: physically, literary and emotionally. "The poems were written in different countries reflecting my physical journey," she explained, adding that they also speak to matters of the heart. "It is also a literary journey where the reader can see how my poetry has evolved and developed over time," Gabriel told Standard Style during an interview.
"Chilled and laid back, the audience was present and engaging, they responded to some phrases, laughed and clicked their fingers, then we sang along to Prudence Katomeni's songs and vibed with Josh Meck. It was a wholesome experience," she added.
The powerful orator has been hooked on performance poetry since high school and has since participated in major literary events in Zimbabwe, the rest of southern Africa and Europe. Besides being an artist, Gabriel is a farmer, festival curator, events manager and philanthropist. She has a strong presence in the southern African literary scene, having performed and conducted workshops in countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
Throughout the evening, the concert combined music performances with stylish designer wear showcases, where local fashion designers' brands were showcased on the runway by elegant models.
- Sofar Harare in night of music, fashion and poetry
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In attendance was the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe executive director, Napoleon Nyanhi, National Gallery of Zimbabwe curator for contemporary art, Fadzai Muchemwa, FCoZ board chairperson Joyce Chimanye, Zimbabwe German Society director Taremeredzwa Chirewa and theatre practitioner Theresa Muchemwa as well as members from the diplomatic community.
Sofar Harare has, over last year, become a platform for creative exchanges, creating space for local artists to share the same stage with different artistic disciplines, with fashion and food culture being at the forefront of recent collaborations.
In May, Sofar collaborated with Italian upcycling fashion brand Pezzecul!ar whose creative director is Valentina Sardella. The platform has also previously partnered with African Vegan On A Budget headed by vegan advocate Chef Cola. For this edition, food was provided by Gemma Joscelyne, a private chef, yoga teacher and massage therapist based in Harare.
"Every Sofar concert is better than the last. It keeps getting better and better! "Michar Mushiko, the Sofar Harare resident MC, posted on her Instagram. Mushiko effortlessly guided the programme, taking the audience on a cruise controlled musical experience.
Katomeni performed solo accompanied by keyboardist Kuda Gara. Katomeni, who is the director at Music Crossroads Academy Zimbabwe, mesmerised attendees with her soulful, jazzy vocals. She had the audience singing along to some of her popular songs such as BP, Bhuku and others, which enjoyed favourable airplay on Zimbabwean radio stations.
Josh Meck and his three piece band comprising Nick Nare (keyboards), Brian Ziko (drums), and Tichaona Muchemwa (percussion) closed off the concert with a memorable performance that will live in the memory of all who were in attendance. The left-handed bassist who also doubles on the acoustic guitar, performed 'Mwana Wembeva', 'Chigevenga', 'I Have a vision', 'Changu Chipo' and 'Wanetsa'. Afro jazz artist Dereck Mpofu and Zambian artist Kunda appeared as guest artists on Meck's set and put up splendid performances.
Sofar shows that took place on the same day in other cities around the world include: The Hague, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Berlin (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Toulouse, Nancy (France) and Lagos (Nigeria).
