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Entertainment Reporter
The wait is over! The much-awaited two-day Sunset October Beer Festival begins today at Sunset Arena. The stage has been set, exhibitors have erected their stands and artistes are raring to go.
The festival begins with a dancehall night that brings together several musicians in a clash that promises fireworks.
Tocky Vibes, Soul Jah Love, Kinnah, Seh Calaz, Guspy Warrior and Freeman are some of the performers that would be complemented by massive music selections from Godfatha Templeman and Garry B.

The performers have promised a fun-filled night.
“I was at another beer festival recently and I enjoyed the environment and my performance was well-received. I know this event will be another chance to meet my fans and present the best. I am enjoying the reception my music is getting and it will be another night of fun,” said Tocky Vibes.

Guspy Warrior is happy to return to the big stage after sometime off the limelight.
“I have been doing shows out of Harare and I am happy to be back. I have many new songs and I am promising my fans many surprises. This would be one of my few shows in Harare because I am going on a national tour and I will also be travelling to South Africa and the United Kingdom soon,” said the “Seunononga” hit-maker.

Most of the musicians performing at the event have encouraged their fans to desist from violence saying the event is meant for fun.
Soul Jah Love urged his fans to be mature.

“There is a misconception among fans that dancehall shows should always be violent. I am urging all fans and fellow musicians to show maturity and desist from violence. We do not want bad perceptions about dancehall and we want the international community to respect this genre so that we can also break to other markets. The beer festival should be a platform to show this maturity,” said Soul Jah Love.

Freeman, who has been a prime target of missile-throwing at most shows, concurred with Soul Jah Love.
“It is now time to make a serious point. There have been serious concerns about violence in dancehall and we want to unite as artistes to fight the bug. It is unfortunate that I have been among the targets of violence at shows. I do not know why they hate me but I will continue to preach peace. We just want to have fun. It is party time,” said Freeman.

The dancehall night will set the ball rolling for various activities that will take place during the festival. Imbibers are in for great fun since most beer brands would be sold at reduced prices while there are a lot of give-away prizes.

Tomorrow will see a mixed bag of music and other art performances.
Sungura, rhumba and urban grooves artists will take turns to entertain fans on the closing night. There will also be a slot for children of music legends to take people down memory lane through playing yesteryear hits created by their parents.

Action will start this afternoon as exhibitors present various acts at their stands in preparation for main stage performances. A number of Harare joints have been given a chance to exhibit their entertainment menus at the festival.

Fans that enjoy modelling will have their share during the Miss Sunset pageant that takes place at the festival. The pageant will run for two days with a preliminary taking place tonight and the final coming tomorrow.

Organisers of the festival, Divine Assignments, said they are ready to present a two-day party to fun-lovers and have promised a memorable time at their inaugural festival.