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Peter Tanyanyiwa  : Arts Correspondent

ATalent show that identifies local talent for the French market, “Sing your way to Paris” is back with an African feel, as the organisers have selected popular songs from Cote d’Ivoire rather than France.

In the past two years Dominican Convent students have been dominating the competition and many will be on the look out to turn the tables.

Alliance Francaise director, Franck Chabasseur said the French loving community should brace up for a time of their lives during this year’s edition of “Sing your way to Paris”.

“We are very excited about 2016 edition of ‘Sing Your Way to Paris’, as many locals will relate to some of the African songs we have encompassed this year. And again on the panel of judges we have a surprise as we will be having local musicians.

“Registration closes on March 5, and we will have our Harare auditions here at Alliance Francaise. On March 12 Bulawayo will have their pre-selection of their best two singers at the Zimbabwe Academy of Music Bulawayo. They will join their Harare counterparts for the final selection on March 19 at Alliance Francaise and we will chose 10 finalists who will battle it out for the grand price,” said Chabasseur.

The annual competition is organised by the Alliance Francaise in Harare and is open to anyone between the age of 14 and 26.

The Winner gets an amazing prize of two weeks in Paris sponsored by Bon Marche with all expenses paid.

The competition aims at encouraging a wide participation among the Zimbabwean community so as to select the best amateur singer in French of the year on the occasion of the Francophonie celebration week.

Last year teen sensation Mukai Mahachi then (17), a Lower Sixth student at Dominican Convent was the overall winner for the “Sing your way to Paris” and she walked away with a trip to Paris and gift hampers from sponsors such as Bon Marche and a suitcase.

In 2014 another Dominican Convent student, also then 17 years old Dumisile Mphamba, walked away with the grand prize.