Comedians bring the'Towers' down at Zim’s First Comedy Fest

If you read my previous post, you would know that the Goliath & Goliath team was set to jet into the Harare and tickle our funny bones. And just as they promised they did… well, at least it looked that way.
 I noted a good number of patrons gasping for air, slapping their thighs, spilling their drinks and guffawing throughout the show.
Carl made an entertaining host, as he threw a few jokes here and there. The Program though a little late (we are African after all!) ran like clockwork as each comedian took a turn to crack our ribs. (in a non-violent fashion of course!)
Jason found himself the big butt of the joke as everyone took a stab at his weight,  gait and goodness all. Being the good sport he is, he passed the heat onto to someone else as he lightly roasted a few patrons. By the time he was done all I knew was people married for 10years have the libido of old Peugeots, that Mdara Zober’s libido runs on diesel (Creeepy) and that Jason only allows experienced drivers to ‘drive’ his car (wink). I loved Donovan; he was such a charmer and a funny one at that. (what more can a girl ask for though *ehem* in a performance ka!)
Our Zim Comics flew the flag Marijuana high! Michael K being my favourite, his impressions were top notch! As for Q... watching him feels like watching your favourite nephew grow (let’s ignore the fact that he might be older than me). My point is He gets better and better every time I watch him perform okay! Big pat on the back for that one! Lovers and haters (I’m stuck somewhere in between) of Dancehall were left agog by the end of his set. All I can say is "USADAROOOOOOOO!!!"

Both during the intervals of the Program and at the end of the show; patrons milled about in the foyer all smiles.  For the most part it seemed All had a gay old time. Teaming up with something for a good cause a pair of ladies from the charitable initiative With Love Zim sold some really funky jewellery; made by the women from the Mbare soup kitchen. 

The Miller Genuine Draft  themed after party was the cherry on top as DJ Chucknosis (did I spell it right?) spun that good music from his Pink Apple Mac… (I sh*t you not it really was pink!)
I hear we’ll be having four of these Comedy fest things next year, I say …. Bring it On!!

CARL JOSHUA NCUBE to host Goliath & Goliath for Zimbabwe’s FIRST EVER International Comedy Festival!

Carl Joshua Ncube has done it again! (Shoot I’ve used that opening line before!) *ehem* let’s try that again…
Carl Joshua Ncube has teamed up with Xtra Time Investments, some awesome local comics and some cool partners for Zimbabwe’s first ever International Comedy Festival called the Rainbow Towers Comedy Fest.

Local supporting acts Michael K and Q (the… wait! Is it only Q now?!) are set to tickle our funny bones. Having watched both of these guys in action I look forward to seeing their performance especially if there is some new content somewhere in there. Q is the baby of the bunch even though his act is anything but. (Note to yourself don’t be the one to hackle as the young man knows how to dish out some generous roast).
Michael K’s name is synonymous with Harare stand up. Having presented on a multitude global stages, Michael K will be Zimbabwean Comedy ‘Legend’ in the room. Speaking of legends and all things LEGENDARY, this Comedy Fest undoubtedly the brain child of the infamous Carl Joshua Ncube who seems more than a little psyched about bringing his dream straight into the realm of reality. Carl’s candid guy next door banter is bound to have everyone (yes even you!) in stitches.
The main attraction or shall I say attractions (*wink*), Jason & Donovan Goliath are a pretty big deal in South Africa and hopefully by the end of the Festival a big deal in Zimbabwe too. There’s a hot big funny guy and a smaller cute funny guy. The idea of them combined sounds a lot like something my ribs and bladder might be unable to bear but hey YOLO right?!
Don’t be fooled by the last name as these two are neither brothers nor *ehem* together. (Google told me so, OKAY!). Combined they have 13years in funny business experience. I’m all for good laughs AND on top of that I like things, so really I’ll be there!

For $15bucks you can join in the fun on Thursday the 28^th of November at 7pm (white people time guys!). If my animated descriptions didn’t help, you could check out the poster. #TSKC

Talking Registration, Diasporan Voters &Western Handouts with ZEC’s Laetitia Kazembe

Hey guys! I caught up with one of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Chairpersons’ or better put; I spoke the very sassy, religiously Catholic, well spoken Laetitia Kazembe who’s been doing this Electoral stuff for a good 12years(i.e. since the dark ages, in a good way though!).

Ironically in light of the virtual and actual chit chat about the elections I asked her some questions in an effort to make her the least bit comfortable, which she sailed through without a batting of her well mascara-d eyelid dodging the typical political mix and matching as she went. Long and short of the conversation here’s stuff you may or may not know, that is to sa if you know it vaguely good on you! If you don’t even better! If you do, read it anyway!

As we conversed about the Electoral elephants in the room, Mrs Kazembe was adamant the younger cool, or un-cool kids (younger generation(s)) were excited and more proactive in the voting process than most think, myself included. She noted this was clear in the nature of turnout and age groups coming to the Registration Centres littered around the country. However she did throw us some punches, pointing out the ‘youths’ tendency for taking the Right to Vote for granted; citing pure ignorance of the struggles experienced by our liberator’s as the cause, that and a lack of Civic Education, which the ZEC intends to include in school curriculums (OH OH! Looks like we skipped a few classes, too many!).  

For what it is worth I have always thought many of us Zimbabweans have tendencies of maintaining passive aggressive states of mind: a WHOLE lot to complain about, thorough social, economic and political observations and yet minimum hands-on solution provision. (That’s just me Steph-ing out loud)

In that light, Mrs Kazembe further pointed out the responsibility we each had to exercise Zimbabwean rights to Register and to Vote rather than sit on our...hands, moaning and groaning about everything, which (I repeat), we can really be good at!

   

Naturally, the issue of limited funding was raised; Mrs. Kazembe stressed ZEC’s intent to meet its immense list of tasks however the financial aspect has been a strong barrier. Thanks to the UNDP’s facilitation and the government’s permission however and other organisations such as SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) and the Dutch Embassy that have been awfully generous; ZEC has managed to get up and running.  Even the EU has helped out people, “they are really interested that the election process becomes free fair and credible” said Mrs Kazembe. (They and we included!)

When I questioned the independence and possible conflict of interest between ZEC and its ‘donors’; she made it clear that the donations were based on a ‘no strings attached’ basis and ZEC’s independence is rooted in the constitution, citing that there would be ‘no deal’ once lines between donations and political influence were blurred.

On the subject of Registration she emphasized our options for the sticky ‘Proof of Registration’ issue:

v Bring either your old lady or man with a random utility Bill of your choice

v Bring your landlord along

v Ask one of your better organized mates to write you a letter proving you’re not a country hopping gypsy

v Fill in an affidavit at a Registration Centre of your choice, stating where you live then swear on it!

To be honest this sounded a whole easier than I thought it was!

Bad news for the Diasporans I’m afraid, Madam Laetitia made it crystal that zero provision had been made for them seeing as their condition is errm... NOT covered in the Constitution unless of course you’re an Ambassador’s something, a soldier, an officer of the etc. on State business then hey you can just mail your vote! (psssh! Simple!)

For information about everything ZEC related check out their website here, there you can find a snazzy list of the Registration centres (If you are like me yet to register!). If not don’t be a cheap skate buy a Newspaper its (ZEC) all over them. Register and Vote guys, while you’re at it try not carry machetes, throw rocks or chant insults; ‘One Love’. #TSKC

I Love My Family

 This will be a relatively short and emotion filled, soggy as a damp tea dunked biscuit post.  Guys …I love my family. I know you’re thinking duh! Of course you do but you don’t get it …

I have taken a look back in time and there is one thing that is largely consistently my family… we have lost a few good soldiers on our way of course but… we have managed to dust ourselves up as we go. Chanting optimistic war-cries!

 Drinking to our fill, glasses half full of empathy, sacrifice and the type of love God Himself created. Agape.  

Not all are blessed with that amount of love and companionship BUT we all have some kind of family… The most important aspect is NOT to take for granted the actions and emotions experienced by those that give a damn about you.

It is always tempting to go trampling over their opinions, advice and smothering.

These people will NOT always be around.

I would take a bullet for them … YES I would! (Only if the situation demanded it OBVIOUSLY! )

Spent a little time…show you love and appreciate them because being YOUR family is free. I myself am on the road to recovery, working on treating them better and saying I Love You more often. You can come along too there’s enough room for the both of us ;-) .

#TSKC

la Francophonie's : Cabaret Français

Seeing as there are 220 million French speakers worldwide, 96.2 million of those being in Africa; it is s no wonder that the one of the Organization of La Francophonie’s missions has been to promote solidarity amongst 70 of its member states through the cultivation of linguistic and cultural diversity. In pursuit of all things Artsy & French *wink* I headed for the Le Cabaret first showing on Thursday night.

The time on the Posters and flyers heralded the start of the show to be 7pm however it officially began at 7.30, no one was complaining though this gave the patrons enough time to sip or like me gulp the oh so complimentary and not so French wine. Arties mixed it up as there was a hum of excited conversation. I had to admit after one glass of dry white I was giggly and girly (oh the shame), I probably need to work on my booze ethic since a 12 year old with the very same glass seemed to be doing much better than I. (Could it be more French culture?)

He looked a little like this....

The foyer presented everything French; they certainly did a fantastic job transforming it; a Confectionary tray teaming with Croissants (my favourite), the colours Blue, White and Red (French flag duh!),  a giant replica of the famous Arc de Triomphe and folk music in the corner by a fairly old duo playing the Saxophone and Accordion. Ah le Parisan Cabaret indeed!

As the show began a young man (Josh Harley presumably the MC for the night) scantily clad in slacks, a bowtie and suspenders (cheese-appeal) teamed with more make up Dita Von Teese herself has ever worn; kept us informed and mildly amused as he see-sawed between mock French accents and stumbled (humourously) over complex Shona stage names and often English ones too.(His cute backside did no harm to the entertainment!)

 

The live band, Summer Breeze gave a fantastic Jazzy backing as Josh serenaded, “thank heavens for little girls For little girls get bigger every day!”; a dubious song indeed that I truly enjoyed. 

Soon after Kristina Jenkins, coupled with a young gentleman Basil did the damn funkiest duel dance I’ve ever seen. It had a very ‘Love the way you lie’ feel as they mock argued as lovers in dance to Adeles’ ‘Turning Tables’. Kristina’s emotion was clear, a combination of her Contemporary Ballet and Basil’s urban Break-dance heated up the stage as they ‘made-up’ to Miguel’s ‘Adorn’. *fans self*

Kristina indicated her versatility and singing talent later as she did a cover of Pink Martini’s ‘Sympathique’; something about not wanting to work and smoking to forget life’s problems (sounds like a plan to me).

A very buxom quartet of ladies called African Voice sang a medley of Congolese traditional music  as well as a cover of ‘In the jungle’ in French(dans la jungle). It was a beautiful harmony if voices that probably needed to practice their coordination a tad bit more. (I enjoyed it all the same especially the fact that they were barefoot!).

I had the pleasure of being audience to Mangoma and Mutsa as they dueled on the Congas (Percussion) and Drums respectively! It was LOUD, Chaotic and a fantastic Rock and Afro beat fusion (Rumba). Restraining myself from standing and displaying my not-so-cool dance moves was an effort indeed.

After the 10minute interval the Convent Girls Junior Choir (cute as buttons) nearly brought me to tears as they did the PG13 version of the ‘Can-Can’ “yes I can…of course you can can!”. The Stripes, an acapella group from Prince Edward taught us in true American style Spirituals to “take a walk in your neighbours shoes”.

Josh (remember the MC with the cute a**), was back with a very well acted out Frank Sinatra song ‘I love Paris’ right after, he started on his vote of thanks and I realized it was nearly time to end the night (to my disappointment). In quick paced pursuit a harem of beautiful young ladies Can-caned gymnastically and gracefully as they displayed their bloomers and under skirts donned in the French flag colours.

Kinkini’s dance out cheered me up as they (all 7of them) did an Indian, Ballet, Pop (Michael Jackson inspired), Hip Hop dance blend! Kethen and his group of dancers were beyond cool as they swayed, split, and flipped all over the stage. Alas the show ended.

The posters promised “kitschy fun…nostalgia…delicious clichés up to your elbows”; and after all was said and done I agreed. Yes one minute I was in a Le Chat Noir, watching Burlesque and listening to Edith Piaf serenade my pants off and the next back home or so haphazardly with Afro beat and locally harnessed talent in song and dance!

That transition is most probably the point of La Francophonie week. Our cultural diversity as a nation (Zimbabwe) highlighted which we often take for granted. A chance to laugh at ourselves and with others, to long for and appreciate an era we not ever lived once. An emotional rollercoaster minus the puke, that was the French Cabaret for me.TSKC

All Rouged up for the Night

Where It all happened.....