Women festival at Nanzikambe
Nanzikambe Arts Cafe in Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre, has dared entertainment seekers with an action-packed weekend climaxed by an all-female festival on Saturday.
For a take-off, the performing space at Naperi will Friday night host the arrival of Nanzikambe Arts’ African Romeo and Juliet for the first time since its August 25 premiere at Stratford Upon Avon—the birthplace of its original author William Shakespeare—in London.
According to a press statement from Nanzikambe, the festival will feature leading female artists.
 “The day is a full-scale celebration of women in the arts with performers from all disciplines: singers, musicians, poets, dancers, painters, photographers and fashion designers. It will be a day-long family event with community performances alongside professional acts,†says the communication signed by project manager Effie Makepeace.
The acts include veteran player of instruments Beatrice Kamwendo, Mibawa Band lead vocalist Eunice Kadzuwa, Dance for Life, Madalo and Grace from the Jacaranda School for Orphans and Nancy Phiri.
Others are female inmates from Chichiri Prison and groups from Manja, Chimwankhunda, Misesa and Namiyango townships in Blantyre.
Since last year, the network of the women drama groups has been part of ‘The Act Now Project’ funded by a regional NGO, Osisa.
“This is our way of showing what women in Malawi can do. Art is dominated by men. We are using this day exclusively for women to celebrate their talent and reach new audiences,†said one of the organisers, Verepi Madise.
On Sunday evening, it will host Mibawa Band.
