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Melissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
THE city of Harare will this weekend come to a standstill when the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority hosts the mother of all parties – the Harare International Carnival street party – on Saturday.

Now in its third edition, the street party which brought business in the capital to a halt last year, will once again feature the Samba dancers from Brazil who are popular for their revealing costumes. They arrived in Harare yesterday ahead of their performance today at the home of strippers – Private Lounge.

The street party, which will be a melting pot of cultures, will see imbibers being allowed to publicly consume alcohol at designated points along the parade route.

Rhumba lovers will be in for a rare treat when Kofi Olomide of the Loi fame, Diamond Musica and Bev take centre stage at the Longchen Plaza tomorrow. Tuku and Friends will take over on Friday when they perform at Glamis Stadium.

The major celebrations on Saturday will see man-of-the-moment, Jah Prayzah and Zimdancehall artistes, Souljah Love, Killer T, Seh Calaz and Dhadza D performing at a carnival after party at the Glamis Stadium.

In addition, the city will also play host to top dancehall artiste, Konshens and South Africa’s pop music trio – Beatenberg who will perform at the Castle @120 celebrations at Old Georgians Sports Club on Saturday. They will perform alongside Hope Masike and Winky D.

While all that is happening, gospel lovers will have their own party going on when interdenominational choir, ZimPraise, hosts the ZimPraise International Gospel and Music Festival at the Harare International Conference Centre. The two-day festival starting on Friday will feature Bulawayo groups – Vocal Ex, Dumisa and Cream Voices, Mathias Mhere, Sebastian Magacha, Sunshine City, Wellington Kwenda, Carol Mujokoro, Pastor G, Vabati Vajehovah, Pastor Haisa, Pianos Jaravaza, Emelda Mudzamiri, Hossana, Richard Dube, Mechanic Manyeruke and Extreme Afrique. ZimPraise will also have a live DVD recording of “The Second Coming” which is expected to feature superstar, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.