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Edith WeUtonga

Arts Reporter
Preparations for MUSICA 2015, the annual musical festival organised by the Embassy of Italy, are at an advanced stage. The musical showcase will kick off with a concert by Cynthia Mare and Edith WeUtonga at Megga 2 on October 3 and it will run until October 10 at various venues in Harare.

In a recent interview, Italian ambassador to Zimbabwe Enrico De Agostini said, “Musica aims to showcase the very best of local, regional and international music and creates a platform for emerging artists to collaborate with local and international stars.”

This year’s event is set to be bigger than previous editions with the participation of a great many international musicians and more than 100 local artistes. Musicians from Germany, Jamaica, Sweden, Italy, Mozambique and Senegal have confirmed their participation in the festival.

Local artistes include Oliver Mtukudzi, Edith Weutonga, Cynthia Mare, Filbert Marova, Josh Meck, The Outfit, Fungai Nengare, Africa Revenge, Evicted, Hope Masike, Dudu Manhenga and Patience Musa. International artistes billed to perform include Blume Jazz Band, Simone Crinelli Quartet, Marco Maggiore, Pietro Tonolo and Antonio Jasevoli Band.

The festival will also feature the second edition of the Musica Battle of the School Bands which will be held at St John’s College’s Spring Fair, on October 4. Prizes for the winners include the opportunity for the top three bands to play on main stage at the Italian Embassy alongside international artistes, and for the best original song will be recorded and broadcast exclusively on ZiFM.

Musica is part of the Italian Embassy’s rich cultural programme which is designed to facilitate stronger relations, understanding and co-operation through culture.

The festival is also focused on developing the local music industry through workshops where international and local artistes share their musical knowledge and skills with young emerging artistes and music students.

The workshops this year will be held at Pamberi Trust, Zimbabwe College of Music and Music Crossroads. Festival venues include Megga 2, Pabloz Night Club, Maestro’s, Music Crossroads, Harare International School, Heritage School, Zimbabwe German Society and Pamberi Trust.

In order to take music and cultural exchange to a broader audience, Musica this year entered into a partnership with Delta Beverages to mark the 120th anniversary of Castle Lager, through a show at Old Georgian’s Sports Club on October 10.

The show will be headlined by Jamaican dancehall musician Konshens, South African pop band Beatenberg, Italian drummer Marco Maggiore and Mozambican Saxophonist Ivan Mazuze.

Musica 2015 is made possible through partnerships with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, the Zimbabwe German Society, Pamberi Trust and ZiFM Stereo.

The festival is sponsored by Delta Beverages, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, FBC Holdings, MedLog (Private Limited), Red Graniti, Illy Caffè, Econet Wireless, Meikles Hotel, Freight World, Progressive Insurance Brokers, Pedini, Just Doors, Salini Impregilo, Only Italian, ZOL Zimbabwe, Optinova Africa, Danai Food and Wine Distributors, Fiat-Chrysler-Alfa Romeo and Kay’s Travel and Tours.