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Alick Macheso

Arts Correspondent
While most towns around the country go for many months without hosting Alick Macheso, Marondera seems to have stolen the sungura musician’s heart.

When he performed at Legends Sports Bar in the Mashonaland East capital in February, Macheso fell in love with the place and this weekend he goes for his third show this year in the town.

Despite its proximity to Harare, Marondera previously failed to entice the sungura musician for many shows but things have changed.

After the February show (which came after almost a year after the musician’s last 2014 show in Marondera) Macheso returned to Legends Bar in March and on Saturday he will be at the same place for one of his ‘‘100 percent Mberikwazvo’’ shows. He will perform without a supporting act in order to give Marondera fans the best of his act.

The musician’s manager, Lucky Macheso, said the support and encouragement they get in Marondera have made the town one of their prime destinations this year.

“We have performed there twice this year and we were wel -received at both shows. Marondera is a nice place and Legends Bar is a good venue. I think we failed to have many shows in the town because we could not find a good venue like this one.

‘‘We are happy to return to Marondera and we will go there at every opportunity,” said Lucky.

“We promise our fans a memorable show once again. We have attracted full houses at the previous two shows and we know our fans are waiting for us once again. They always come in numbers. They are friendly and peaceful. We get encouraging feedback after every show in Marondera and we enjoy such interaction with fans.”

Lucky said Macheso will continue to play final versions of his upcoming songs at the shows. He has been finalising tracks for his upcoming album in th studio over the past few weeks ahead of the release of the new project that is expected in the next few months.

Director of Legends Bar Daniel Masaiti said big artistes now have confidence in the venue, which has brought new entertainment life in Marondera.

“Most big artistes have performed here more than twice since we opened the place. It seems they were waiting for such a place where they can entertain their Marondera fans every time they get a chance. We are happy to host them here and we thank our patrons for supporting these musicians and giving them reasons to return for more shows,” he said.

Besides Macheso, popular musicians like Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu and Peter Moyo have performed at Legends Bar.