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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
BULAWAYO comes alive this month when the week-long Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo kicks off on September 21.

Over 50 theatre, music, comedy and fashion events will take place across different venues around the city.

Now in its 11th edition, the festival, which ends on September 26, will be a celebration of the country’s arts and culture, as well as marking the beginning of spring.

An “Acoustic Night All Stars” featuring Tariro NeGitare, Prayersoul, Tendai “Tendex” Madzviti and Munyaradzi Nyamarebvu will be one of the main highlights of the fete on September 24. The acoustic night will replace the Spring Jazz festival which has been a hit among festival goers over the years.

The festival, known for presenting quality theatre productions, will this year showcase seven local and international productions at the Bulawayo Theatre. The productions include Without a Name, My Hands are Clean, Today it’s Me, Taking the Spirit Home, Almasi Reading, Iyasa dance theatre, Celebrate Africa and Raramo.

The Women, Words and Wine poetry and musical show, which was launched at last year’s edition, returns to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on September 22. It will feature performances by United Kingdom-based poets Francesca Beard and Deanna Rodger, Bulawayo poets Lady Tshawe, Fungai Mombeshora and Tinashe Tafirenyika and Harare-based poet Moreblessing Size as well as Bulawayo’s all-female afro-jazz band One Stand.

Popular cartoon strip, The Bulawayo Show, which recently commemorated its first anniversary, will go a gear up when it showcases its show for the first time at the festival on September 25.

As has become the norm, the festivals’ official opening will be held at the Large City Hall car park on September 23.

The popular Plan High Schools drama competition finals will once again be held during the fete at the Bulawayo Theatre on September 25. School children from all over the country will converge at the schools drama competition to battle it out for the top spot. Last year’s competition was won by Eveline High School.

A fashion show which was introduced last year will once again be held at the Amtec building on the last day of the festival.

A new event, the African Traditional Dinner Night, will be introduced at the Bulawayo Club on September 24 for those who want to sample African cuisine.

On the last night of the festivities, a Comedy night which will feature top comedians Clive Chigubhu, Doc Vikela, Keith Nkosi and Q the Boss will be held.

Platforms for artistes to interact and assist each other will be provided through workshops which will be held for the duration of the festival. A workshop dedicated to discussing identity, branding and marketing for artistes in Zimbabwe will be held on September 21 at the Bulawayo Club. Other workshops will include Wosana dance training, creative arts and education needs assessment, Shakespeare and the 2nd Arts Teachers’.