My first day at the Book Cafe ,Memories of a late bloomer

It was around 2011 if not 12 when I walked into the neatly packed ,famous building whose occupants were known to carry unconventional hairstyles and colorful Dashikis and felt at home. The atmosphere was far from electric, but possessed an aura of a place regularly massaged with poetic utters. I present to you the chronicles from the first event I attended at the famous Book Café, Pamberi Trust`s Sistaz Open Mic a couple of moons ago.

Although I knew the place was ideal for a budding wordsmith of my caliber, I found the setting segregatory at first. People were grouped in small packs releasing applauses at intervals, sharing unfamiliar humor it was difficult to join in. I sat in isolation, listening to the artists and taking notes whilst everyone else exhibited a social dimension I never knew existed. Another factor I found difficult to embrace were the beer prices, a whooping two dollars for a canned Castle Lager: “THESE CAPITALISTS”, these were the exact words I thought but because my aunt an established poet had prescribed the place, I had to brave.

The first lady to go any stage was the ever smiling lyricist D Blok who shocked me with her meticulous delivery, I saw Lauryn Hill in her just packaged with more rage. With every song, I sunk deeper and my admiration grew, I knew there was hope in the feminine section of Zim Hip Hop. Backed by the Starbrite finalist and celebrated guitarist Carlo, her sound was nothing my eardrums had encountered before, but it was something I would not mind consuming eternally.

D blok doing her thing at Mellow Creme`s Love and Hip Hop show ,a few years after (Shot by : Leroy Dzenga)

Younique, the poet was the second act on the roster. She caressed the microphone with delicate metaphors which melted the vena cava and other constituents of the heart, one would need to swallow a lot of saliva to avert tears. Man, Younique was beautiful .I remember narrating to my sister of her lucid articulation and the breeze that accompanied her carefully arranged words. The smile she cracked after her performance is still embroiled on my mind and I make it a point to remind her warm self every time I met her.

Songstress Eve Kawadza leading the proceedings at the recently held Sistaz Open Mic at Pamberi Gardens

The poetry gods woke up on the right side of the reed bed on the day as Tinashe Tafirenyika stepped on Younique`s footprints. Heaven right? She spoke on emotions and religion, the words escaped my comprehension over time but the impact still remains. A magnificent stage presence is what we experienced as she did a metaphorical piece likening her heart to the cosmic elements in astronomy. (I hope she forgives me for a possible misrepresentation, it has been quite a number of years)Just like her predecessor, she breathed life into the poet I claim to be. From that day I never ignore conversations which carry the name Tinashe Tafirenyika in them.

Just as the awesome MC for the day R-Tendo was about to introduce the next act, all heads turned to the entrance. Before I could process what was going on, the words “DUDU” “DUDU” “DUDU” were being chanted as the jazz songstress and her sibling Uza who is now part of the Bulawayo based all ladies ensemble “Nobuntu” walked in. I realized how Dudu Manhenga was a hero in these circles. Her musical prowess though undoubted, she has never been the artist you randomly bump into. I understood what she meant when she said that her compositions are not for everyone, but when they consume you its pure bliss.

After Dudu had settled on that popular table close to the toilet area, yes that last one you see on your way to the garden .Where the white people in shorts, sandals and t-shirts usually sit. Programming continued as a dynamic female duo of Denise and her friend called G`sondria. They performed a few songs but the crowd only appreciated in courtesy, I doubt if they liked it. It was evident that their pop sound did not tickle the fancy of the “DEEP” crowd present at the event. Those ones preferred inhaling nicotine and acoustics, not fast paced songs propagating Instagram filters. The act, despite their stellar contemporary sound, they were not well received.

Roots then followed, I do not know if it was my underexposure to different versions and types of poetry but the random guitar strumming and her recitals were nothing to write home about .The same could not be said for the act that brought the beauty back to the event. Her name is Massa Caroline .She started with the song which carried the words ,”Haagare Pano” .I later reached out to her for the song ,I forgot what went down but up to now I still hear that melody in my head. An underrated artists she is!!!I hear she is back on stage, cannot wait to see her perform again.

To close the show, the energetic Red Ruffryder graced the stage. Her energetic movements wowed everyone else in the crowd but me. The choreography appeared to have more doses of adrenaline than the songs she was dancing to. I personally did not enjoy this particular performance but the sisterhood spirit on the day had people joining her in dance. I took this as a bit of practical sarcasm but that was just me being a newbie in the circles, she was huge here. But I would like to admit, I have seen her recent performances and her moves are now polished .I guess we all start at the beginning.

R Tendo on stage at a recently held Sistaz Open Mic session (Image :Leroy Dzenga)

As the eloquent R-Tendo whose short hair I afford great admiration closed off the session, I had to leave with a heavy heart. Mbuya Stella Chiweshe was due to perform after the show. The damage was $5 dollars and I had 4 rands in my pocket, it was wise for me to leave early as I was supposed to negotiate to sit on the furnace known as kadoma .It is usually cheap before peak hours. Peasants do not choose.

These are just musings and reminiscence of the first day I walked into what would become my sanctuary in Harare .One of the few things I actually miss ,I have reservations on the new venue.The New Ambassador is too close to some places I would not like to be close to.

Ndini wenyu 

Leroy Gurukota Dzenga