Intwasa roars into life

Entertainment
INTWASA Arts Festival KoBulawayo roars into life today under the theme “Cultural diversity — The common heritage for humanity”.

INTWASA Arts Festival KoBulawayo roars into life today under the theme “Cultural diversity — The common heritage for humanity”.

SINDISO DUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT

The festival, which runs until September 29, will encompass music, drama, dance, films, crafts, visual arts and workshops that will take place at different venues in the city.

An arts workshop for schools to be facilitated by renowned historian Pathisa Nyathi and writer Stephen Chifunyise will mark the official start of the festival at a local hotel.

But it is the dance show tonight at the Bulawayo Theatre featuring the Durban-based dance group Flat Foot Dance Company that stands out as the highlight of today’s start of the ninth edition of the festival.

The South African dance group will present a dance piece entitled Last Thoughts.

The second night will be on September 29, the famed Dance Foundation Course and Tumbuka sharing the stage with Bulawayo’s Umkhathi Theatre Works.

The multi-award winning Umkhathi Theatre Works will present their We Are Dancing piece.

Artistes from various African countries, United States and United Kingdom have participated at previous editions of the cultural jamboree, ranked as the country’s premier arts gathering.

Raisedon Baya, the director of Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo, told Southern Eye yesterday that seven venues would host the week-long fiesta, adding that the Large City Hall car park will be the main arena where the Chibuku stand will be situated.

Elite 400 will host jazz and contemporary music performances by Willis Wataffi, Selma Mtukudzi, Dudu Manhenga and others while Amakhosi Cultural Centre will host theatre and dance activities. The National Art Gallery will host visual arts.

Other venues include The Selborne Hotel and The American Corner situated at the Bulawayo Public Library.