Two months of arts party at Madsoc
Lilongwe’s theatre arena, Madsoc returns to busy weekends of theatre and arts performances from this weekend with a series of performances marking the start of a new season and management of the centre by Mwezi Arts.
Mwezi Arts took over the management of Madsoc during the last quarter of 2013 and commenced with what creative director Stanley Mambo described as ‘experimental concepts’ to test the waters.
However, despite some hiccups, each of the shows went well and attracted sizeable audience.
Unlike other projects by most organisers of arts performances, Mwezi Arts begins its official chapter with a two-month intensive theatre programme.
The performances begin tomorrow to end February.
Kick-starting the journey will be the Martin Luther King Jnr commemoration.
The event brings Dzaleka Cultural Association which will stage Rise of Arts with Menes, a poetry session fusing dance, acrobatics and music.
On January 30, acoustic musician Charles Mkathama will take revellers to ancient times with acoustic mbira music.
The journey continues next month with the hosting of American theatre group ATTIC Theatre.
They are on an Africa tour and will present Coming to Zimbabwe apart from holding some workshops with Mwezi Arts.
On Valentine’s Day, Malingaka House will thrill lovers with an Afro-jazz performance.
Young Chilaga will perform traditional Malawian music and dance performance the following weekend and on February 19, the venue will host the the Amahoro Drummers from Burundi.
Kids are not out of the equation as the organisers have arranged a kid’s show on February 22 and 23 before Masankho Banda tells the Capital City his stories.
Most of Lilongwe teen’s time projects dissolved and if all goes as planned, Madsoc will become the second home for teens every Saturday from February 15 as it will be hosting a teen time show.
Apart from these, Mwezi Arts has arranged theatre and music workshops.
“We are coming full throttle. Madsoc has been around, but many don’t know it. Time is ripe to make the venue beneficial to several artists and I can confirm that all artists have assured us of their availability. We doubted the coming of ATTIC because we are supposed to contribute to their transport, but we have got the money and all is set,” said Mambo.
