Lifestyle
2017 Harare International Festival of the Arts roars into life
Zimbabwe’s 6-day annual arts festival starts Tuesday May 2017, and boasts eclectic lineup promising to be the best Harare International Festival of the Arts to date.
Published
8 years agoon

Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) is a 6-day annual festival and workshop program that showcases the very best of local, regional and international arts and culture in a comprehensive festival program of theatre, dance, music, circus, street performance, fashion, spoken word and visual arts.
The festival has been a unifying factor both socially and culturally for disparate groups of Zimbabweans.
“HIFA 2017 is a positive disruption, a beautiful interruption of sameness, transforming the everyday with colour, ideas, sound and vitality. It focusses attention on the artistry and excellence that we embrace as an organization and that has the potential to change the way we as Zimbabweans engage with the world.” Manuel Bagorro, HIFA Founder & Artistic Director
Mahube will give the opening performance of the festival on Tuesday May 2nd. The regional super group brings together Southern Africa’s top musicians in an explosive collaboration directed by the multi-award winning Steve and Bokani Dyer.
The event program will also include:
Bilal Karaman Trio- Bilal’s music infuses Turkish music in to his jazz idiom in ways that are seductive, evocative and unique.
Iyco and Kaka Furaha- An artist that Incorporates African musical styles into her compositions, creating her own unique form of Japanese African music.
Baroque2000- A Durban-based ensemble, featuring musicians of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, famed for their vivid interpretations of diverse repertoire, particularly music from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Banda Magda- Led by Greek-born singer, accordionist, film scorer and composer Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda moves from baiao to jazz manouche, from Greek dance rhythms to samba beats.
Rocky Dawuni- Ghanaian musician and activist, Rocky Dawuni straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create his globally influential Afro Roots sound.
Angie Nussey– Award winning recording artist, Angie Nussey is best known for her emotional, philosophical, witty and at times autobiographical ballads.
Perscussion– Victor Kunonga and friends will take you on a journey of hand clapping, foot stomping and heart attack inducing rhythms and beats on different percussion instruments.
Crazy poets– A highly engaging performance featuring famed Zimbabwean performance poet Albert Nyathi with Dr Daniel Low-Beer, an international poet and also WHO’s Coordinator based in Geneva.
Shasha– One of Zimbabwe’s music stars from the BlindFaith Studio stable, ShaSha captivates with her strong vocals, powering through multiple genres including Afro Pop, Tropical House and much more.
Madala Kunene and SA Roy– The King of the Zulu Guitar, Madala Kunene in a unique collaboration with Malagasy Capella trio SA ROY and supported by a South African/Swiss rhythm section.
Trio Klavis- three passionate musicians with roots in Azerbaijan, Slovenia, Austria, Russia, Mexico, Croatia and Turkey.
Sonic Wonderland 2, Derek Gripper- South African guitarist and HIFA-favorite translates the music of the Kora onto solo guitar.
Sylent Nqo and Friends – Multi award winning Zimbabwean guitarist Sylent Nqo and his collaborators play a concert featuring interpretations and re-imaginings of legendary guitarists.
These are a few of the many acts that will grace the various stages of HIFA with special Performances by:
Tuku & Winky D
Profile: In a medley of unexpected collaborations, musical icon Oliver Mtukudzi presents material from his latest album, timeless classics and a few surprises.
Habib Koite and Friends
Profile: Koité is known primarily for his unique approach to playing the guitar by tuning it on a pentatonic scale and playing on open strings.

Dis(colour)ed Margins group Exhibition featuring- Annie Mpalume, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, Kudzanai Violet Hwami, Nyaradzo Dhliwayo, Sethembile Msezane. Photo: Arther Chatora
Exhibitions on site will be:
- Zimbabwe In Design: 6 Highlights featuring Local Designs
- Dis(colour)ed Margins group Exhibition featuring- Annie Mpalume, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, Kudzanai Violet Hwami, Nyaradzo Dhliwayo, Sethembile Msezane
- Ndafunga Dande I Yearn for Home by Shepherd Ndudzo
- 2017 National Gallery School of Visual Art and Design Arts in Residence Grace Nyahangare, Dean Muchenje, Ronald Muranganwa, Takudzwa Guzha

Ndafunga Dande I Yearn for Home by Shepherd Ndudzo. Photo: Arther Chatora
To top off the already jam packed program HIFA will have accompanying events such as: Storytelling and Story making sessions with Award winning Author Igna abasa, First Friday- HIFA Edition featuring The Movement, HIFA’S Interventions and comedy.
HIFA is set to be an artistic intervention staging a magnificent program of powerful, prestigious and unforgettable performances and exhibitions.
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