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Zimbabwean audience are already familiar with Jenaguru and the group mostly made up of youths is set to perform on CABS Day, April 29 at the Lay’s Global Stage starting at 5pm on CABS Day. Jenaguru will collaborate with DJ Juri, one of the most respected Japanese female DJs and producer as well as creator of the original percussive tribal electro sound called “Taiko Dub”.

DJ Juri will share the stage with Iyco and Jenaguru. She expresses her concepts through the Taiko (Japanese drum), Djing and live performances. Jenaguru who joins her on stage is a children’s African Dance group from in 2002 and part of the Japanese Embassy’s outreach activities.

Apparently Iyco was inspired by elements of the earth to find a way to incorporate African styles and rhythms into her music. Determined to introduce her fusion of African Japanese music to the world, Iyco is spreading her messages of love and peace the world over.

The show is presented by the Embassy of Japan.

As part of the Harare International Festival of the Arts 2015 Assitej centres will hold a mini festival featuring some of the amazing new plays beginning on Golden Pilsener Day, May 1 at ZB Bank Reps Theatre Upstairs, an intimate venue for small crowds.

The mini festival being held under the “From Idea To Action” initiative will see five international Assistej centres coming together to showcase their short plays.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, the plays use wit and sensitivity to delve in to powerful issues surrounding children and families.

On the lineup is “Llifa” (The inheritance) from South Africa based on a story about Themba who sets off on a bizarre adventure in search of the magical Mzantsi Tree where his promised inheritance treasure is being kept safe for him.

The play was directed by Amanda Velela and Stuart Palmer who also wrote the script.

Another play is a Zambian production titled “Dreams” written by Cheela Chilala and Beranrd Mutambwa. Ruth Chipampata directed it as well as designing the set.

It is a story of Matimba (10) and Mutinta (12) who discover that school is the great leveller and that education is something to be celebrated. The plays starts at 2.30pm on May 2 at ZB Bank Reps Theatre Upstairs.

In “Fair Play” which is a Swedish production, is a drama that grapples with complex feelings of belonging – in the loving company of the Dog. The story was written by Erik Norberg and directed by Josefin Lennstrom. The play shows on May 3, the Old Mutual Day starting at 5.30pm.

And from Mozambique is a play titled “Duda” about a shoeless Duda who fights his family, learning to rise above his father’s disapproval about his effeminacy. Luckily his dreams set him free. The play shows on May 2 starting at 2.30pm at ZB Bank Reps Theatre Upstairs.

The script was by Angelina Chavango, Nilza Laice who both directed it as well as Yuck Miranda.

Last but not least, is a Zimbabwean production titled “My Right is My Weapon”. A family in crisis, a daughter pleads for help. The intense and complex dramatisation tells the tragic story of a father’s misguided violation that destroys a daughter’s otherwise bright future. The play shows on May 1 the Golden Pilsner Day.

Written by Lovejoy Mwawoneka and directed by one of Zimbabwe’s foremost female theatre actresses Enisia Mushusha, the play is for the adult audience only.

HIFA 2015 is running under the theme “Articulate”. — hifamedia.