“It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”  The world is continuously looking for innovation, new voice; that new sound.  Sistaz Open Mic  is in a  celebratory mood. Come join the sistaz in dance, music, poetry this Saturday, 11 September at The Book Cafe starting from 2-5p.m.

 

 

Sistaz Open Mic falls under FLAME (Female Literary Arts & Music Enterprise) Pamberi Trust’s gender project which exists to facilitate the participation of women in the arts providing various platforms of expression.  Sistaz Open Mic is a developmental platform that nurtures talent across all ages and tries to harness and support artistic expression in its raw form, a platform for emerging women artists to come out to a public stage and do their ‘thang’ in the safety of daytime. 

 

 

Other platforms include The Book Cafe Gender Forum, FLAME Workshops and links with both local and regional festivals. The project encourages the empowerment of women artists to become independent and run their artistic careers as professional businesses.

 

 

People often wonder what happened to that musical or poetic voice in high school.  After school many do not know where to go or what do with their talent.  Sistaz Open Mic aims to keep these voices alive by providing a safe platform for development.

 

 

FLAME has witnessed great successes over the past five years of young women musicians, poets, MCs and dancers who have claimed their space in the industry and have gained recognition nationwide as well as regionally.  In 2010 alone FLAME has witnessed six album launches, five of them debut albums.  A number of poets who also work closely with the project have performed at numerous events in the country as well as beyond.

 

 

September celebrates the beginning of a new era for a lot of the enterprising young women artists.  Nonku “Blackbird” Vundla, rising hip-hop artist who released her debut album “Tha Rappertizer” recently will be featured as the guest musician.  Blackbird has worked on a number of musical productions collaborating with various artists in the hip-hop circles and will be launching her album at a date to be announced.

 

 

Edith WeUtonga who launched their debut album “Utonga” in August are set to perform after the Sistaz Open Mic, 5.30-7pm.  Utonga, “the break of a new day” is already receiving considerable airplay. The band has graced a number of events in the country and performed at HIFA and Chimanimani Arts Festival this year.  Backed by strong women instrumentalists and musicians with a unique sound Edith WeUtonga is set to go places. 

 

There is a friendly cover charge of US$1.00 and a warm invitation to relax and ‘chill out’ for the enjoyment of a great line-up.  Performers should register at The Book Café before the show starts at 2pm.