Shoko Festival programme expands

THE Shoko Festival 2014 has expanded on its programming with the addition of a Saturday day programme which will be on September 27 at Alex Sports Club in Harare.

Tinashe Sibanda
The Saturday Fiesta is expected to start at 10:45am and finish at 4:45pm featuring various acts by the Jibilika Dance Battle, Drum Café & Salsa, soccer plus performances by FTR & AbNorm, Dimitri & The Scarecrow, then, finally, Raven & Jam Signal.

"The fiesta will be complemented by events around the festival site in a fun day setting with installations such as a mini brewery, Shoko beer and an upcycling factory making funky goods out of junk," said the festival's media liason officer, Tafadzwa Sharaunga.

He said a relaxed atmosphere would be created in the afternoon as the festival prepares to reach its climax with the Re-Inspire concerts billed for the night.

Sharaunga added that a festival day pass could be purchased for $10 at Alliance Francaise de Harare, Freshly Ground, Techtools and Talk City, Joina City.

Premium partners for the Friday night and Saturday night concerts are The Culture Fund in partnership with DANIDA and the European Union as well as Hivos in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy.
As part of the expansion, on Sunday September 28, there will be a Peace In The Hood concert at the Zengeza 2 shops in Chitungwiza from 12 noon till 8pm.

On the King Pinn main stage, acts such as Mudiwa, Dhadza D, Ba Shupi, Hope Masike, Munetsi, Godobori, Macy & The Red, Jason Leroux and NobleStylz will perform.

"To set the tone for the Peace in the Hood concert is a hip-hop visual graphics workshop which will be held by the Tune Crew from Bulawayo, then an open mic segment which allows the locals to showcase their art on stage," said Sharaunga.

He further said that from 1:15pm featured artistes would start with performances on the King Pinn main stage including the very best in hip-hop, dancehall/reggae and electro from Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Chitungwiza.

Shoko Festival is Zimbabwe's fastest growing international arts festival and this year it will feature electronic dance music, DJ parties, hip-hop, dancehall, comedy, spoken word, new media discussions and workshops.

This year's Peace in the Hood concert will be brought to the audiences by the British Council.

Shoko is produced by Magamba Network and is set to come alive from September 25 to 28 September 2014.