- Showdown of assorted genres
Launched in September 2014, the eighth edition of the annual Gaborone International Music & Culture Week is here. The event, an annual thriller that not only attracts local revellers, taps into the Southern African audience, the first series of events is slated to take place this Friday.
Dishing an array of events, the event has everything for everyone. Organisers understand that their revellers have different taste when it comes to entertainment, hence the wide selection of events. In total, there are nine events to pick from, or if one has the stamina, they can attend all of the events.
Kicking off the festival is none other than the GIMC Fitness & Aerobics event on Friday. Scheduled for GICC, the event, which fuses fitness and entertainment will feature fitness gurus, the likes of Mandisa Kebapetse, Obert Morgan, Bicky Motingwa, Nana (Yoga), Uncle Ross, Chyna Mokaila as well as Mpho, Mo and Giddie.
This event is sponsored by BOMAID. On Saturday, Jazz enthusiasts will get to see their favourite acts on stage at the GIMC Jazz event to be headlined by Judith Sephuma and local acts who include Mpho Sebina. Tickets for the Jazz event are moving very fast, with the P250 tickets already sold out. Sephuma is said to have last been in Gaborone in 2015, where she was featured at the GIMC event for that year.
On Sunday, those with class and style will be dressed to the nines, and looking dapper in their finest attires at the GIMC Champagne and Picnic event under the theme Clicquot In the Sun. Set for the Purple Paradise Garden, in Oodi, Eugene Jackson is penciled to serenade revelers. The songbird recently launched his latest song titled Sedisa. This will be the first time that he is possibly performing the beautiful song. On Monday, August 29, Theatre lovers will be treated to a night unlike any other, courtesy of Ikakanyeng Performing Artists. The event will take place at Maitisong Theatre.
On Tuesday, chorale lovers will have their own serving of chorale. The event will take place at Maitisong, and features Macecilia a St Paul. Wednesday, wordsmith can look forward to performances by poets who includes Phodiso Modirwa, Soso, Lame Pusetso, Thee Advocate, Jaded Eyes and Tee Mafokate.
Comedy lovers' special night is on Thursday. Performances to look forward to on the night include Tips Shampoo, Chris Mapane, Rib Cracker, Bambino, Penene Ponono, Trics, Brian Sibanda and Bals. Last but not least is the Clap N Tap event taking place on Friday at the GICC Marquee. It features groups such as Dineo Tsa Tumelo, Soul Redeemers, Angels of God, Isaac & the Mighty Messengers.
The last event promises to shut down the city. The event is none other than the GIMC Music Festival scheduled for the National Stadium on Saturday, December 3rd. Main acts for the day will include Mafikizolo, Makhadzi, Charma Gal, Vee, Franco, Team Distant, Colastraw, Ancestral Rituals, Dj Ngwazi, Hapex Guru, Soulman BW, to mention a few.
Event organizer, Fish Pabalinga recently revealed that through the eight years of existence, they have grown to become the biggest festival in Botswana with nine shows, ranging from Jazz, Fitness & Aerobics, Champagne Picnic, Theatre, Choral Music, Poetry, Comedy, Clap & Tap as well as the Main Music Festival. He also said that their event has become the ever-present voice for all sectors of the arts, music, tourism and hospitality in Botswana.
“GIMC has grown to become the premier flagship of all things cultural and creative dedicated to providing leadership and direction, to make tourism and hospitality one of the leading and most viably sustainable industries in Botswana,” he said.
He further said that through the eight years, they have had the privilege of hosting big names in the creative industry ranging from Grammy Award winning Black Coffee, Trevor Noah, Casper Nyovest, the late Ricky Rick, Jonathan Butler, Judith Sephuma, Mafikizolo, Kirk Whalum (USA), Mr Ibu, Basketmouth (Nigeria), Salvado (Uganda), Ellis (Angola), Jah Prahzah (Zimbabwe), Elemotho (Namibia), to mention a few.
In total, they have hosted close to 300 artists, and contributed millions of Pula to the economy and most importantly, given a platform to many youth to showcase their talents. “GIMC is truly a Pan
African event that seeks to showcase the different cultures and musical experiences that exist throughout Africa and the rest of the world,” he said. Meanwhile, in an interview this Tuesday, he shared that the first batch of artists are arriving on Friday night for the Saturday event.
He further said that preparations are going well, and that everyone is excited. “Generally everything is going well, and we are on track,” he said noting that they are ready to host. He also said that as of now, they did not have any major issues. “Everything is going according to plan,” he said.
Dishing an array of events, the event has everything for everyone. Organisers understand that their revellers have different taste when it comes to entertainment, hence the wide selection of events. In total, there are nine events to pick from, or if one has the stamina, they can attend all of the events.
Kicking off the festival is none other than the GIMC Fitness & Aerobics event on Friday. Scheduled for GICC, the event, which fuses fitness and entertainment will feature fitness gurus, the likes of Mandisa Kebapetse, Obert Morgan, Bicky Motingwa, Nana (Yoga), Uncle Ross, Chyna Mokaila as well as Mpho, Mo and Giddie.
This event is sponsored by BOMAID. On Saturday, Jazz enthusiasts will get to see their favourite acts on stage at the GIMC Jazz event to be headlined by Judith Sephuma and local acts who include Mpho Sebina. Tickets for the Jazz event are moving very fast, with the P250 tickets already sold out. Sephuma is said to have last been in Gaborone in 2015, where she was featured at the GIMC event for that year.
On Sunday, those with class and style will be dressed to the nines, and looking dapper in their finest attires at the GIMC Champagne and Picnic event under the theme Clicquot In the Sun. Set for the Purple Paradise Garden, in Oodi, Eugene Jackson is penciled to serenade revelers. The songbird recently launched his latest song titled Sedisa. This will be the first time that he is possibly performing the beautiful song. On Monday, August 29, Theatre lovers will be treated to a night unlike any other, courtesy of Ikakanyeng Performing Artists. The event will take place at Maitisong Theatre.
On Tuesday, chorale lovers will have their own serving of chorale. The event will take place at Maitisong, and features Macecilia a St Paul. Wednesday, wordsmith can look forward to performances by poets who includes Phodiso Modirwa, Soso, Lame Pusetso, Thee Advocate, Jaded Eyes and Tee Mafokate.
Comedy lovers' special night is on Thursday. Performances to look forward to on the night include Tips Shampoo, Chris Mapane, Rib Cracker, Bambino, Penene Ponono, Trics, Brian Sibanda and Bals. Last but not least is the Clap N Tap event taking place on Friday at the GICC Marquee. It features groups such as Dineo Tsa Tumelo, Soul Redeemers, Angels of God, Isaac & the Mighty Messengers.
The last event promises to shut down the city. The event is none other than the GIMC Music Festival scheduled for the National Stadium on Saturday, December 3rd. Main acts for the day will include Mafikizolo, Makhadzi, Charma Gal, Vee, Franco, Team Distant, Colastraw, Ancestral Rituals, Dj Ngwazi, Hapex Guru, Soulman BW, to mention a few.
Event organizer, Fish Pabalinga recently revealed that through the eight years of existence, they have grown to become the biggest festival in Botswana with nine shows, ranging from Jazz, Fitness & Aerobics, Champagne Picnic, Theatre, Choral Music, Poetry, Comedy, Clap & Tap as well as the Main Music Festival. He also said that their event has become the ever-present voice for all sectors of the arts, music, tourism and hospitality in Botswana.
“GIMC has grown to become the premier flagship of all things cultural and creative dedicated to providing leadership and direction, to make tourism and hospitality one of the leading and most viably sustainable industries in Botswana,” he said.
He further said that through the eight years, they have had the privilege of hosting big names in the creative industry ranging from Grammy Award winning Black Coffee, Trevor Noah, Casper Nyovest, the late Ricky Rick, Jonathan Butler, Judith Sephuma, Mafikizolo, Kirk Whalum (USA), Mr Ibu, Basketmouth (Nigeria), Salvado (Uganda), Ellis (Angola), Jah Prahzah (Zimbabwe), Elemotho (Namibia), to mention a few.
In total, they have hosted close to 300 artists, and contributed millions of Pula to the economy and most importantly, given a platform to many youth to showcase their talents. “GIMC is truly a Pan
African event that seeks to showcase the different cultures and musical experiences that exist throughout Africa and the rest of the world,” he said. Meanwhile, in an interview this Tuesday, he shared that the first batch of artists are arriving on Friday night for the Saturday event.
He further said that preparations are going well, and that everyone is excited. “Generally everything is going well, and we are on track,” he said noting that they are ready to host. He also said that as of now, they did not have any major issues. “Everything is going according to plan,” he said.
