Harare International Festival of the Arts, 2009

So, like last year, I’m gonna attempt to blog my HIFA experience. Unlike last year, I’ll try include every little detail, time (and beer/cider/wine) permitting. Here we go again .

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Sunday, 3rd May 2009
Okay, so we go to the closing show. Roll Jordan Roll – now, I love me some smooth jazz and blues and improv and such, but really, the guy got a little carried away. Crowd agreed, and the only time they got a reaction was when the choir was singing. I enjoyed it anyway, and we found ourselves standing next Albert Nyathi and Habib Koite. Minnie got excited, until I told her I’m a bigger star than Habib. She agreed!

Fireworks … is this the credit crunch at work? Cos really, they shouldn’t have fucking bothered. Anyway, another year, another festival, fun was had, beer was consumed and yeah … HIFA still rocks!!

And I have the water bottle to show for it. Too bad it looks like they just bought some black water-bottles, slapped a couple of stickers on each one and charged $5 for them. Sad.

Saturday, 2nd May 2009
Fading. Wanna go see Habib Koite but body just won’t move.

Friday, 1st May 2009
Fuuuuuuuuck!

There was only one solution, and that was to drink some more. Called Drew and filled the cooler-box, went to Big T’s and burnt meat in preparation for Alick Macheso. The show was awesome, that dude is talented and in my opinion, Best. Show. At. HIFA. 2009. Period. No contest. Hung out on the green before going home to change for … Malaika.

Daaaamn. Those two can sing, you hear their records and think, well, it’s studio talent. Nope, they can kick it live, and the Mrs seemed to have fun. Which of course is all that matters. Then we hung out on the green, standing around the cooler-boxes until everyone was nice and torn. Sigh.

Thursday, 30th April 2009
Friday being a holiday, Thursday promised to be interesting. Had to fly solo as my baby wasn’t up to it, so went to see Sara Tavares. At least Eddie and Tony were there, so we hung out, then had a few drinks at the green. And by a few, I mean … a few.

Wednesday, 29th Apr 2009
The Missus had a lesson ending at half seven, so couldn’t make the Opera Gala. Was real keen on catching it this year. Anywho. We just went down and had dinner on the green, jollof rice with peanut butter chicken. Good stuff, loved it, although someone claimed an upset tummy then went on to have Mongolian stir-fry. Bygones.

Tuesday, 28th Apr 2009
Parking was a bitch when we went for the opening show, Out of Darkness, but it was easier to get into the venue than it’s ever been. The main stage was booming as always, sound was awesome, and the whole show was right in the middle of the park. They set up a stage/center-piece thingy right in the middle, so the band and choir were on the stage, while the whole show was in the middle so everyone could see. Great stuff. Fireworks were a little underwhelming though. Anyway, B Diddy introduced me to Mukuyu Symphony rosé and I ain’t looking back! Anyway, a good time was had by all and She finally got her schwarma. Didn’t bother visiting the green room, seemed all the atmosphere was out amongst the masses on the Coke Green, guess we’ll hang out there later.
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Finally, it’s here. The Mrs and I went for lunch on the green, just to get a feel of the place. Jaipur’s chicken curry baby, awesome stuff. Apparently it’s “mild”, but Minnie Mouse had to dilute with ketchup. I loved it. She asked me a good question, though – why is the layout always the same, with no variation whatsoever? I mean, the Coke Green is always the same, no change. I said it’s accoustics, location, and why fix it if it ain’t broke. Anyway, we’re doing the opening night thing, then maybe hanging out at the Green or in the green room. Tingles!

Thursday, 23rd Apr 2009
Well, that wasn’t so painful. The missus picked me up and we headed back to the Avondale box office, which had barely a queue, and we scored tickets for both Malaika and Roll Jordan Roll with no fuss. Easy as pie. Sucks though, PJ Powers featuring the Rusike Brothers is sold out. Damnit. Hmmm, hello Sara Tavares.

Wednesday, 22nd Apr 2009
Uh-oh. BuffDaddy just alerted me that tickets for Malaika and the closing show (Roll Jordan Roll) are selling fast. Shitballs. Should have bought them yesterday. Would have bought all our tickets yesterday if the cash was on hand. Sheet! Need to run around, cos Malaika is one of my highlights, and Roll Jordan Roll seems fun.

Tuesday, 21st Apr 2009
Right. It’s HIFA time again. One week away! The missus and I are registered hifAmigos, and it’s pretty cool to see our names in the official programme. Suck it. Box office opened for us yesterday, so we went down to Avondale shops to get tickets for the opening night.

Took an hour, although the queue was really short. Hmm, must be the small change, consider we get 20% off all tickets. Yes, 20% discount. Sweet. Needed a chair, cos my busted left foot was killing me. Not sweet. EXCITED.