Foreign groups set for BAF
Some of the foreign groups performing at the Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) say they are upbeat about performing at the Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) next weekend.
BAF comes back this year from October 4 to 6 at the Blantyre arts haven.
According to South Africa-based Zimbabwe artist Josh Meck, one-time performer with deceased mbira ‘rebel woman’ Chiwoniso Maraire, Malawi is a ‘lovely not only for its food, but also its culture.
“I hope to have a good time in Malawi. We are fully prepared for the show. As we value our work, we take our audience seriously and we will give a 100 per cent effort and I promise the crowd is gonna be on their feet jumping as well for we delight in entertaining and interacting with them,” said Meck in an e-mail response.
Meck is a renowned Afro-jazz artist, a bass guitarist whose prowess leaves a mark on the African music scene. He has two albums, Wanetsa and Time to his credit and has performed the world over.
On the other hand, another Zimbabwe group, Mokoomba, said they are excited about performing in Malawi. The group’s manager Marcus Gora said in an e-mail this is the third time they are performing in Malawi, having performed at the Music Crossroads Regional Festival in 2008 and at the Lake of Stars Festival in 2010.
“We have had a very busy year so far with many concerts in Zimbabwe, African countries like Tanzania, Morocco and Kenya as well as a European tour and South Korea. We would like to encourage Malawians to come in their numbers to the Blantyre Arts Festival to witness a high energy and high quality musical performance by one of the fast rising young African stars,” said Gora.
According to him, that is so because Malawi is close to their hearts. “It is the home of hospitality and we look forward to having a great time,” said Gora.
Mokoomba is an exuberant six-man youthful group bursting with natural talent and contagious rhythm and they will perform alongside Malawian acts Maskal and Piksy next Saturday.
Also performing at the festival will be Zambian Scarlet, who will be down here with her band Black Note. BAF will be their first engagement outside Zambia, according to the Mwana Wokondwera star.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and we are looking forward to being on a stage in another part of our continent and hopefully to impress and entertain the little piece of Malawi we will get to experience,” said Scarlet.
The festival will also feature international drama from Zambia.
