Bottoms up for 2015
After all the happy, disappointing, sad ones break-through moments and stagnation of dreams in 2014, Malawians made a grand entry in 2015 in various ways. Others held house parties, some simply stayed awake home past mid-night while others went to overnight crossover prayers. But Carlsberg feted its imbibers in Blantyre with a Street Party.
Imbibers chanted along with Lucius Banda in a 10-seconds count-down to 2015 soon after he performedPaulendo at the live-performance stage near Ziboliboli in Blantyre. Joined by Piksy, who performed backing vocals, Lucius sang Alpha and Omega a praise and worship chorus. The audience sang along with hands lifted.
For some, fireworks marked a triumphant entry into the year while for others it was a kiss that they landed on their partners’ lips at exactly the first minute of the year—a seal for their love.
Some had already passed out during the count-down.
It seemed like half of Blantyre was at the Carlsberg Street Party with the patronage for this year seemingly bigger than last year’s.
Carlsberg Malawi marketing manager (alcoholic beverages) Twikale Chirwa said this year’s patronage was better probably because people have gained confidence in the street parties after the last two held in Blantyre and Lilongwe.
Like last year, the event had three stages, Old Nandos had Carlsberg Fun Stage where imbibers won several prizes, Ziboliboli had a live stage performance while in the middle of the street was a DJ set stage which played popular songs.
One of the highlights of the event was the presence of Carlsberg Board chairperson Matthews Chikaonda.
Performing to a jam-packed street audience, Skeffa Chimoto performed Chinamuluma Chakuda, Usamasowe, Sindilora, Dalitsani Okondeka and other popular songs.
Born African was invited on stage and was hailed by promoter Jai Banda for putting Malawian entertainment industry on the map by inviting Jamaican reggae artists such as Luciano and Fantan Moja. The musician performed a cover of No Woman no Cry by Bob Marley.
Chileka based reggae outfit, Black Missionaries performed songs from their Kuyimba sequel after Anthony Makondetsa’s performance of Mbumba Ya Abraham,Ndilibe Naye Chifukwa and Fire Time among others.
Black Missionaries’ set was not only spectacular because Chizondi Fumulani left the keyboards and grabbed the microphone, or the fact that Takudziwani Chokani rocked the electric guitar, or that the fans enjoyed dancing to the usual routine as they performed Timba, but also they were more energetic than usual.
With eight mobile toilets plus one public toilet, sanitation was taken care of. Use of branded plastic tumblers was not only for brand visibility, but rather safety of the patrons. Glass bottles were prohibited and not sold on site. Police controlled crime and there was a paramedical team and an ambulance on site for emergencies.
Clubs near-by such as Chimwemwe Bar, Chez Ntemba Night Club and bars near Bus Stands benefited as imbibers migrated to and fro
them.
