From the Mascom Live Sessions to the Botswana Colour Run and GIMC jazz concert, Arts and Society’s Thobo Motlhoka looks at the weekend that was and what lies ahead.
Gaborone International Music and Culture week (GIMC) kicked off to an incredible start with performances by the Botswana Music Ensemble (BME), Sereetsi &The Native, and Jonathan Butler. Unfortunately Arts & Society missed out on BME performance but the next performer, Sereetsi, made up for the miss, treating the audience to a wonderful performance of songs from his debut album, Four String Confessions.
Fans had to wait anxiously as Sereetsi introduced his band members, signalling an end to his set before turning around and playing their favourite ‘Robete’. Then it was time for the South African American based legend Butler to take his fans down memory lane with some of the biggest songs from the past three decades. Not only is he an incredible vocalist, he is such an amazing guitar player. The way he can express emotions with his guitar is simply magical.
Going Home has to be one of the most amazing guitar songs ever. He also performed his 2001 cover of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry, which was featured in Lee Ritenour’s ‘A Twist of Marley’ compilation. Butler was also joined on stage by Sereetsi for a duet as they paid tribute to Mariam Makeba, performing Pata Pata. The jazz concert was a perfect start to the weeklong GIMC.
The second event of the GIMC festival will feature theatre which will see Donald Molosi performing his famous Blue Black & White on Tuesday evening at Westwood. Tefo Paya and Moduduetso Lecoge will also perform Morwa Rising Son and A Woman of Many Firsts respectively.
Theatre will be followed by poetry on Wednesday at Botswana Craft featuring among others Lebo Mashile, Morwa Motsamai, Poetess Phopho, Juby Peacock, Maya Rose, and Anthony. GIMC choral night, a blend of local community and church choirs, will take place at Maitisong on Thursday evening.
This year’s event will feature KTM Choir, Gaborone Philharmonic Voices, St. Conrad’s Catholic Choir and Andante Choir.
The comedy night on Friday will feature Doc Vikela (Zim), Mawee, Phenyo, Juju Vine, LihleLindzy (RSA) among others. The 2016 GIMC will wrap up on Saturday with a rich music festival line-up that includes DJ’s Fresh, Black Coffee, Skizo, Mr O,Sliqe and artists Vee Donald, Drama Boi and Mapetla among others.
Mascom Live Sessions- This past weekend also saw the return of SA’s Ringo Madlingozi as he shared the stage with Amantle Brown at Botswana Craft on Friday night. The two put up memorable performances and kept the audience on their feet. While the legendary Ringo’s music resonated with everyone on the night coupled with his ability to connect with especially the femalefans drawing admiration the men folk,Amantle’s performance undoubtedly won her new admirers. She was crazy. The future looks bright for Amantle Brown. Colour Run- Saturday, 27 August saw the return of the Botswana Colour Run with the family fun day event taking place on the afternoon at Gaborone Club. The day concluded with a neon party late in the evening featuring SA’s DJ Euphonik, and DJ Kuchi among others.
