BUSARA NEWSLETTER

June 2010

“Festivals invigorate young people’s interest in local culture, give opportunities for artists and music professionals to meet and learn from each other, keep traditions alive,
create employment for local people and promote Zanzibar as a model for tourism that honours and respects
local ways.”

Yusuf Mahmoud, Festival Director

Call for Artists

Wito kwa wasanii

Appel d’Artistes

Calling all African music groups or managers!

Is your music 100% live?
Is your music connected to Africa?
Are you interested to perform next February in East Africa?
If you can answer yes, yes, yes - then follow this link to apply now!

Sauti za Busara music festival brings people together in celebration. Every February Stone Town is alive to the sounds of African music. During five days and nights the main stage showcases twenty groups from Tanzania and another twenty from different parts of the Continent and diaspora. 100% live - no playback! Other festival highlights include thecarnival street parade, Busara Xtra fringe activities, professional meetings and workshops.

In past years, over 280 groups have performed, including Jose Chameleone, Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga, Didier Awadi, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba, Thandiswa, Jagwa Music, Ba Cissoko, Nyota Ndogo, Natacha Atlas, Culture Musical Club and more

Immensely popular with East Africans as well as visitors to the region, Sauti za Busara has firmly established itself as an unmissable event on the African cultural calendar and "the friendliest festival on Planet Earth." (Daily News, Tanzania)

Applying is easy
Your group is only able to be considered if we have received a completed application form and materials from you by 31 July 2010.

The selection committee meets at the beginning of August to decide the programme and line up for the next Festival. All applicants will be notified during September.

For Festival performers we usually pay artists fees and local expenses in Zanzibar, including travel, visa, accommodation, food and incidentals. For headline artists from outside the region we may also help you find travel sponsors.

Sosolya Dance Academy(Uganda)

Ba Cissoko (Guinea)

Simai Mohamed, Vice Chair (l) presents Busara goodies to President Kikwete (r), February 2010

“Sauti za Busara is a very important initiative. It provides a great opportunity for both locals and visitors of different walks of life to meet and exchange ideas and appreciate the uniqueness, the wealth and diversity of the music from our region. In so doing the festival contributes to us building intercultural understanding and friendship”

H.E. Jakaya M Kikwete,
President of the United Republic of Tanzania

Rest in Peace

Yussuf A Aley aka Chuchu by Peter Bennett

With great sadness we announce Yussuf A Aley, famously known as Chuchu, after a long battle with leukaemia, recently passed away in hospital in Nairobi. His body was returned to Zanzibar, where hundreds of local people attended his funeral on 5 June.
In the local music scene, Chuchu was larger than life. Passionately, he devoted his life to growing the Zanzibar music scene. His many achievements include managing the popular Chuchu Sound band, Heartbeat Recording Studios and Chuchu FM radio station. Chuchu was a founder and active member of Busara Promotions’ Board of Trustees.
Whilst we miss you dearly, Bwana Chuchu forever you will live in our hearts!