Music Crossroads to launch K4m venue

Music Crossroads Malawi has constructed a venue for live performances at its base in Area 23, Lilongwe to the tune of K4 million.
The institution is expected to launch the venue, which has an approximate capacity of 1 000 people, on August 28.
Music Crossroads administrator Vincent Maluwa confirmed the development.

He said with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the stage is meant to address the issue of scarcity of professional performing venues in the country.
“As a unique musical centre where young musicians get formal music education, share knowledge through cultural exchanges, research among other things, Music Crossroads Malawi found it imperative to construct a professional performing space as another way of contributing to Malawi’s creative industry,” he said.
Maluwa said the institution has prepared an event to be spiced up with live music performances, poetry and stand-up comedy to mark the launch of the venue.
So far, Maluwa said Lulu has confirmed to perform at the event, whereas various artists are yet to confirm.
The development comes at a time when most performing artists in the country are crying for good venues with manageable booking or hiring fees.
The stage launch will coincide with the Music Crossroads Academy class of 2014 graduation ceremony. At least 12 students are expected to graduate.
“The relevance and quality of the lessons being offered at the academy cannot be overemphasised as our students are faring well on the competitive music industry.
“Some students have their own music recording studios, others are session artists in different music studios and others have toured Europe to both perform and learn.
“Some students have released music albums, others are teaching and just recently, one graduating student has produced ‘Questions and Model Answers’ pamphlets for Harmony and Keyboard Harmony,” said Maluwa.
Currently, classes for the 2015 academic year are in progress, he said.