African Solidarity Concert for Darfur
Live jazz is hard to come by in Lusaka on a weekday, let alone jazz being played by one of Africa’s jazz legends for a great cause! Imagine my surprise when I heard that Hugh Masekela was playing at the Lusaka Golf Club on Wednesday night while having drinks with friends over at our favorite spot after what had already been a busy and hectic week.
A couple of friends had been talking about some tickets they had for this “music gig mid-week,” last weekend but they didn’t quite explain the magnitude nor the cause behind it; I figured it would include the regular lineup of guys I’ve heard playing ad nauseam over the past weeks so I wasn’t too bothered about it. The concert was set for 8PM and I was being told about Hugh playing around 8:30PM. Almost shot myself in the foot by thinking he’d be in town for the week, with the SADC summit currently taking place, and I’d be able to catch him on Friday night or something. In retrospect, I can only imagine what insults I would have been hurling at myself had I missed the concert.
After learning that it would be a one-night-only event, I went along with my friends and it was definitely worth it! Hugh played all his splendid hits to a very ecstatic crowd and everyone left the venue on a hump day high when the band finished playing around 12:30AM.
It was only when we got to the Golf Club that I learnt of the nature of “the gig.” The “African Solidarity Concert” was organized by the Darfur Consortium, an African and International Civil Society Action for Darfur of which Mr Masekela is a Goodwill Ambassador.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards
supporting the efforts of the women of Darfur to empower themselves, their families and their communities through support for the Belil Internally Displaced Persons Women’s Community Centre, in South Darfur
The Darfur Consortium
Very glad I went as it was a worthwhile mid-week outing. Good thing I also had my cam handy, more shots of Hugh on Flickr!
26th August 2007 at 7:17 pm
Salamaat Long lost M,
I didn’t know you had a blog! So good to hear from you…and see all the awesome stuff you have been up to. How are you doing? How is life treating you? Browsing through your blog is awakening my homesickness…sigh.
Take care of you!
30th January 2008 at 10:59 pm
Saw Hugh Masekela for the second time on Sunday evening in New York, it was wicked! It’s always worth it to see him!
31st January 2008 at 8:09 am
Yes, it definitely is! Looking out for any concerts he might have this year especially here in SA ;o)
21st April 2008 at 1:00 am
Hey Mweshi,
I just happened to find your blog while googling info about jazz concerts and the like in Lusaka..Would really appreciate you sending me any info you have on jazz gigs/clubs/musicians in Lusaka. I’m from SA and I’m planning a move to Lusaka and really, and I do mean REALLY need to know where to hear some good music…
By the way, if you are into jazz, check out Mpumi Dhlamini’s debut album ‘Combined Elements’. It’s a great buy, trust me!! For a 21 year old, he does a stellar job on his debut album.
http://www.mpumidhlamini.com
TTFN,
Zama
21st April 2008 at 9:18 am
Hey Zama,
Thanks for stopping by! Will definitely check out Mpumi’s website and music. As for Jazz joints in Lusaka, they’re a bit hard to come by, but you will find live music joints through out the city.
Be sure to check out Cresta Golf View on Friday nights for live music by the No Parking Band; The Brown Frog has live music acts on weekends as well as during the week. Also be on the lookout for events at The Cliff in Kafue, a very nice venue to be on a Saturday or Sunday when there’s a band like Amayenge playing. Be on the lookout for any place where Uncle Rex is playing as well.
For more info on things to do and places to go in Lusaka check out Zamazing - http://www.zamazing.com/