Swahili Performing Arts Center

28/02/2012

Waliopagawa na 100% Zanzibari:Shangwe za Maridhiano na Umoja wa Kitaifa wakae chonjo kwa kuona documentary ya kusisimuakuhusu mradi huo

14/02/2012

Possessed by the Spirits of Kumbwaya!

If you think you have mashetani (spirits) you might not want to get too close to the stage tonight – this was the gracious warning given by the indomitable Mkota Spirit Dancers from Pemba just hours before their performance on Thursday at Sauti za Busara.

10/02/2012

Mkota shine at Sauti za Busara

08/02/2012

Alkhamis ya kesho tarehe 09.02.2011 Mkota Spirit Dancers kutoka Pemba watarindima katika Tamasha la Sauti za Busara, ndani ya Ngome Kongwe. Shoo itakuwa saa 3 usiku kwa udhamini wa ZanAir.

07/02/2012

Mkota Spirit Dancers - LIVE ON STAGE - at Sauti za Busara Festival this Thursday at 9pm courtesy of ZANAIR. Dont miss OUT!!

02/02/2012

Ali Said Wazera, mtunzi wa Taarab Hit 'Bora Niombe' atakuwepo katika Sauti za Busara. Jumamosi, tarehe 11 Feb Saa 10.30 Jioni Ngome Kongwe.

29/01/2012

ZANAIR SPONSORS THE SWAHILI CENTER TO BRING GROUPS FROM PEMBA TO SAUTI ZA BUSARA FESTIVAL
Zanzibar-based aviation company, ZanAir Ltd, has given TZS 3 million to the Swahili Performing Arts Center to facilitate its strategy to improve the participation of groups from Pemba at the annual Sauti za Busara festival due to take place in Zanzibar from 8-12 February, 2012.
Speaking at a press conference held at the company’s head office in Migombani-Unguja, ZanAir Sales and Marketing Manager Ashish Nagewadia said,” “We are proud to have been given this opportunity to sponsor the Mkota and Juhudi groups from Pemba. ZanAir has been flying in and out of Pemba since 1999 with success mostly due to the support and loyalty shown by the residents of Pemba- today we operated 3 daily flights to and from Pemba. This sponsorship id our way of saying THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT to every single resident of Pemba.”
He later added that the support for the groups is part of the celebration to mark the company’s 20 years anniversary since first starting its operations in air travel in Zanzibar in 1992.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Swahili Center, Kheri Jumbe, asserted that the partnership with ZanAir is a common strategic move by both entities that is aimed at boosting the opportunities for the people from Pemba. For the Swahili Center bring the groups from Pemba to the festival is meant to promote authentic art forms from Pemba internationally for the objective of securing suitable and sustainable employment.
“In my opinion, there are many capable performing arts groups in Pemba showcasing authentic Swahili Culture that can perform at any international stage. However, most of these groups are affected by the lack of opportunity to be exposed at such international platforms as the Busara Festival. Given that, we appreciate ZanAir for making it possible for us to achieve our target of bringing some of these groups to Busara this time.” Said Kheri Jumbe.
In giving more details about the participating groups covered by the sponsorhip, Swahili Center Artistic Director Mahsin Basalama mentioned the Mkota Spirit Dancers (Mkoani) and Juhudi Taarab (Chake-Chake) as the groups that have been selected to represent Pemba this year.
“Mkota and Juhudi are among the groups that gave exceptional performances during the just-ended 100% Zanzibari projectand that is why we recommended them to partake in Busara, “said Basalama.
In providing further details, Basalama unveiled that famous singer and song-writer from Pemba, Ali Said ‘Wazera’ will feature with Juhudi Taarab in during their performance and that Taarab enthusiasts should expect his hit songs such as ‘Bora Niombe’ na ‘Karamu’ at the festival.
The support funds from ZanAir will be used to cover all related expenses for the groups’ debut performances at the festival to include artist fees, travel, accommodation, per diem and local transport.
The Swahili Center is a non-profit cultural NGO established with a mission to ‘further the development of authentic Swahili performing arts disciplines emanating from Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast (Kenya, Tanzania Bara, Comoro etc) through empowerment, production, presentation and outreach.’

28/01/2012

Kwa wanaofuatilia maendeleo ya sanaa na utamaduni, kesho Swahili Center itakuwa na mkutano na waandishi wa habari tukiwa pamoja na kampuni ya ZanAir. Mada ni ushiriki wa vikundi kutoka Pemba katika Tamasha la Sauti za Busara. kampuni ya ZanAir inasherehea miaka 20 ya huduma hapa Zanzibar!

19/01/2012

ZANAIR PARTNERS WITH SWAHILI CENTER TO BRING THE BEST OF PEMBA TO SAUTI ZA BUSARA 2012

19/01/2012

18/01/2012

The Swahili Center will shortly make an announcement regarding its participation at the Sauti za Busara Festival 2012. Watch this space and be the first to give us your feedback!

11/01/2012

Kuwa wa mwanzo kufahamu mapya kutoka Swahili Center kwa kufuatilia blog yetu hii. Habari mpya, maoni ya wadau, taarifa na uchambuzi wa miradi, picha na video za kusisimua.