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Zambezi Express set to kick off regional tour

by Mbuso Mlilo
08 Nov 2011 at 08:05hrs | Views
Zambezi express, a production by leading Bulawayo arts group Siyaya, is set to kick start its tour of the region this month.

Zambezi Express is a brilliant combination of music, dance , song and circus. A perfect chemistry of sight and sound.

The production premiered last month at the Bulawayo theatre to mark the kickoff of the tour around the Southern region.

 "The Zambezi Express' regional tour starts here in Bulawayo and our next port of call will be places which include Gwanda, Hwange, Victoria Falls then we go regionally that is Zambia Swaziland and South Africa.

"We hope to have covered these places by November so that we make it in time for Ibumba Festival in December," said Thuba Gumede who is the choreographer for the group Siyaya failed to tour the United Kingdom this year due to the strike which gripped Zimbabwean airliner Air Zimbabwe later this year and Gumede said their failure to tour Europe  has not affected them in any way as it has helped them to draw back from their fountain of creativity while at home.

"We are still with the rest of them as it wasn't that long that we stayed in the country and our stay also proved to be a blessing in disguise as we got used to the life in Zimbabwe as it changes daily.

"We were also afforded the opportunity to spend time with our family as it is not always the case that we find such time and above all we had ample time to recreate at Stanley Square while were relaxed when you overseas you don't get such opportunity

He also said the Zambezi Express production's premiering at Bulawayo Theatre marks the production tour of the region.

Firmly rooted in Makokoba, Bulawayo's oldest township, Siyaya Arts was started in 1989 as NASA (Nostalgic Actors & Singers Alliance).

They rechristened themselves Siyaya (On the Move) during their10th anniversary; a literal description of journeys all over the world, as well as of an identity, an ethos and a heartfelt belief, and the name could not be more apt.
 
Siyaya's rousing music and tightly choreographed dance transcends the language barrier. It's a veritable Tour de force of African forms – traditional and contemporary. They use the heavier Ghanaian Djembe bass drum, alongside the smaller Zimbabwean Ngoma, with South African and Zimbabwean dance routines.

Their latest production Zambezi Express premiers at the Bulawayo Theatre until Sunday.


Source - Byo24News