The Book Cafe, Harare
BOOK CAFE (the physical) venue had to close in 2015 – we are currently hosting online 'pop-up' events during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
NEWSFLASH: 01 June 2015
Book Café Closes its doors at 139 Samora Machel Avenue
It is with deepest regret that we have to advise that as of the first of June 2015, the Book Café closed its doors at 139 Samora Machel Avenue. The iconic venue first opened at its original Fife Ave shopping centre venue back in 1997 and has since treated audiences to nearly two decades of memorable live music, perform
04/11/2024
A blessed nostalgic moment to see the legendary Mic Inity back in town for what's sure to be an epic one off with House of Stone this week on Wednesday at the Centurion Pub and Grill at Harare Sports Club.
Once upon a time around the end of the 'noughties' Mic Inity redefined "The weekend" when his Weddy Wednesday show at The Mannenberg, Harare was the hottest show in town any day of the week!!
It will be good to see it again!
Let Jah music play! Rastafari
04/11/2024
Gore riya ropera. Yava fofafofa ne Joy.
18/09/2024
Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival: A fitting tribute to Tuku Harare is abuzz with excitement as the inaugural Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival (OMIFA) approaches, celebrating the life and legacy of Zimbabwe’s beloved music icon. On 21 and 22 September, the event will bring together an impressive line-up of local artists who are set to dazzle audiences...
18/09/2024
18/09/2024
Vote for https://agt.vote.nbc.com/
18/09/2024
It's so exciting to see so many of the amazing acts that once graced the The Book Cafe, Harare stage, performing at the inaugural Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts; plus a load more that we hope to have one day in the future...
Let's celebrate the legend!
Tuku Musik Official Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi - Legend
Check out the OMIFA 2024 program below!!!
Saturday:
9am to 3pm - Artist and creative enterprise Workshops (Rsvp only).
5pm to 8pm - Official Festival Launch Dinner - ($50)
7pm till late - Official Opening Party Headlined by Selmor Mtukudzi and Killer T ($10)
Sunday:
10am to 1pm - Kids Zone program (PICA) + Fashion + Dance
1pm till late - Festival Music Program (All day pass $15)
Saturday + Sunday (weekend pass $20)
Munya Nyamarebvu Mbeu zw Donald Kanyuchi Mokoomba Hope Masike Bryan Kadengu Jah Prayzah Gemma Griffiths Agga NyaBinde Gwevedzi Feli Nandi Chipendo Tamy Moyo Andy Muridzo & Jeetaz Band Djembe Monks Jay Watta Tendai Mavengeni Mary Anibal Fusion 5 Mangwiro Mwendamberi Vazukuru ve Africa
Once upon a time, you could have seen Learnmore Jonasi performing on The Book Cafe, Harare stage as part of Simuka Comedy or even testing out new material at THE BOOK CAFE OPEN MIC but today he's flying the Zimbabwe flag high as he shines on one of the biggest talent show stages in the world. Makorokoto Learnmore Jonasi we are rooting for you!!
18/08/2023
Gava's Restaurant August upcoming live bands
18/07/2023
This Sunday we will be remembering one of our most treasured artists from The Book Cafe, Harare - the late, great CHIWONISO MARAIRE . Chiwoniso was a regular performer on the Book Cafe stage and a friend to the venue and the collection of artists who called the Book Cafe home. This celebration of her life and music will happen from 2pm on Sunday 23rd July at ELA the Garden and will feature her daughter Chengeto and a load of Chiwoniso Maraire 's musician friends including Victor Kunonga , Clive Mono Mukundu , Bryan Kadengu , Othnell Mangoma Moyo , and will be hosted by Tomas Lutuli Brickhill - see you there!
REBEL WOMAN REIGNS 💛💛💛
06/01/2023
These are the last days of decadence. Very soon we will be smack bang back in the middle of reality, but not yet. First, there's just time for one quick stop at mbira-punk spectacular that is Chikwata.263
This Friday from 8pm at Half Bar at 14 Aintree - AKA Tristan's Entry is a wallet friendly 4.99, and yes, change is possible.
22/11/2022
The program for Litfest is now out!
08/09/2022
🤣🤣 Those naughty punks from Chikwata.263 are at it again! - and this time they seem to have 'Socks' on the brain!
This band actually started at The Book Cafe, Open Mic night many years ago before going on to become one of our favourite regular acts on both Book Cafe and The Mannenberg, Harare stages!
Over the years we saw them punk Dudu Manhenga and Chiwoniso and Hope Masike and Ammara Brown for particular once-in-a-lifetime shows.
We're very glad to see them still bringing their unique brand of mbira-punk craziness to Harare's live music scene. Catch them this Friday 9th Sept at Half Bar at 14 Aintree - AKA Tristan's
Zimsocks 2022 - full line up announced!
Hey guys, here is the full line-up for Zimbabwe's socksiest show ever tomorrow night!
Warm up act: Tristan's Curry Rocks! Yes, it's curry night on Fridays at Half Bar at 14 Aintree - AKA Tristan's and the Tristan's Curry Rocks performance will popular include hits such as 'Hmmm delicious', 'Loving this Dhal', and their hit 'Mmm mmm mmm (that was just what i needed)'. Table booking are available for this part of the show - see contact details on the flyer below.
Dj act: MC Socks! Playing a socks on the brain hitlist of bangers including 'Socks on the Beach', 'Socks machine' and 'Socksual healing' this is the perfect playlist to set you up for a night that will improve your socks life forever!
Live band: Zimbabwe's favourite mbira-punk band Chikwata.263 will then take to the stage to rock your socks off playing not one, but TWO SETS of your favourite mbira-punk songs of all time!
Closing DJ: When the band is done, DJ Tommy2Socks will keep the fire burning with a selection of afro-rock tunes from around the world!
Tomorrow (Friday). Entry just $5
24/07/2022
And today at ELA the Garden once again we celebrate and remember CHIWONISO MARAIRE
08/02/2022
Harare movie night + writer/director Q+A! Don't miss it this Friday!
In Harare? Join us on Friday for a screening of Cook Off the Movie at ELA the Garden, in partnership with Cinema PaDen, followed by a Q+A afterwards with writer/director Tomas Lutuli Brickhill!
From 6pm on 11 February, at ELA the Garden at 15 York Avenue, Newlands. Advance tickets available from ELA the Garden!
03/10/2021
Today, we remember.
https://southern-africa.hivos.org/news/in-memory-of-paul-brickhill-1958-2014/
In Memory of Paul Brickhill (1958-2014) - Hivos October 3, 2014 will always be remembered by the arts-loving community in Zimbabwe and abroad as the day on which the iconic arts entrepreneur, Paul Brickhill, passed on. He died of a complicated thyroid cancer, at age 56. Paul’s contribution to the cause for freedom spans across many battlefields...
Our Story
The iconic Book Cafe is *back*. In this time of lockdown and virtual gatherings, we have decided to bring back the Book Cafe via online pop-ups, curated by the usual programming team. Having been forced to close the physical venue in 2015, we are happy to see the spirit of the Book Cafe living on during this time. Please like/follow the page for all updates on performances!
For more about the history of the Book Cafe, see below.
NEWSFLASH: 01 June 2015
Book Café Closes its doors at 139 Samora Machel Avenue
It is with deepest regret that we have to advise that as of the first of June 2015, the Book Café closed its doors at 139 Samora Machel Avenue. The iconic venue first opened at its original Fife Ave shopping centre venue back in 1997 and has since treated audiences to nearly two decades of memorable live music, performance poetry, stand-up comedy, film screenings, discussions and more.
The Book Café has had a significant positive impact on the Arts and on cultural entertainment in Zimbabwe’s capital, including bringing traditional mbira music into the mainstream, championing freedom of expression in the Arts, providing a platform for Zimbabwe’s first stand-up comedians and hosting a regular weekly Open Mic.
The closure comes after several months of valiant struggle to find support to continue running, including a crowd-funding initiative through Indiegogo which witnessed love and support from people in Zimbabwe and around the world, but was not sufficient to put the Book Café on steady ground.
The venue has faced many struggles through the years, and somehow has always managed to pull through, due in no small part to the support of its patrons and in particular to the large community of artists and performers who have passed through over the years, who shaped the very nature of what the 'Book Cafe' concept means, and affectionately refer to the venue as 'the home of the artists'.
Tomas Lutuli Brickhill who took over at the helm after the death of Book Café founder Paul Roger Brickhill says “I’ve decided to take a step back in order to re-strategise and restructure the business. It was a difficult decision to close the Samora Machel venue, but if Book Café is to have any place in the future of Zimbabwe’s Arts & Culture scene, I believe that our current course of action is unavoidable. At this stage it is too soon to speculate where or when we may reopen, but I am confident that in ‘Book Café’ we have one of the strongest and most respected brands in the country. I have no intention of letting this be the end of the story for Book Café; but in order for us to start writing the next chapter, we have to close the last one. Aluta Continua.”
Tomas Brickhill
Book Café
[email protected]
RECENT HISTORY: BOOK CAFÉ AS A COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE
Book Café is a community culture centre that meets the needs of the “the arts community”, comprising of artists, creative workers, arts service providers and arts consumers (audiences). These elements make a composite whole. It works primarily in performing arts, film, books, and latterly in craft (material culture).
a) The primary focus of Book Café towards local arts production and dissemination :
• Creative concept and skill development (performance platforms, workshops, exchanges, collaborations and dialogue)
• Arts production and delivery/dissemination to local arts audiences
This is in line with Zimbabwean culture policy articulated by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture. It also responds to central goals of Zim Asset in terms of economic opportunity and development.
b) The secondary focus is towards African and other cultural exchange:
• Arts collaborations, fusions, inward and outward exchanges, tours and residencies involving the cultural exchange between Zimbabwe and other (mainly African) countries. This is in line with UNESCO protocols on the protection and promotion of cultural diversity and exchange, to which Zimbabwe is also a full signatory.
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