Sauti za Busara Music Festival 2010

The seventh Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) Music Festival takes place in Zanzibar, Tanzania from Thursday 11th to Tuesday 16th February 2010. There is a continuous daily programme of music starting in the late afternoon, as the sunshine softens and shadows start to stretch out, and continuing virtually non-stop into the evening, with the final band taking to the stage around midnight.

Line-up

The confirmed music artists include:

Thursday

Kilua Ngoma, Juliana Kanyomozi, KVZ Tupendane, Ikwani Safaa Musical Club ft Tamalyn Dallal, Swifatui Abraar Group, Maia Von Lekow, Jimmy Omonga, Makadem, Fresh Jumbe & African Express.

Friday

Ba Cissoko, Tunaweza Band, Maureen Lupo Lilanda, Mohamed Ilyas & Twinkling Stars, Bashraaf, Malick Pathé Sow, Matona & G-Clef, Nadi Ikhwan Safaa - Malindi Taarab, Mari Boine, Joel Sebunjo & Sundiata, Del & Diho, Ba Cissoko, Nyota Ndogo.

Saturday

Chidi Benz, Best of WaPi, Swahili Vibes, Kidumbak music, Karafuu Band, Mzee Kheri, Abek Jazz Band, Seka Sound Band, Mim Suleiman, Dawda Jobarteh, Thandiswa, Xova.

Sunday

Mapacha Africa, Sowers Group, Massar Egbari, Sosolya Dance Academy, Debo Band, Jhikoman, Bamba Nazar & The Pilgrimage, Simba & Brown Band, Banana Zorro & the B Band.

Monday

Culture Musical Club show, Taarab Night: Spice Modern Taarab and Old Super Stars.

Tuesday

Festival Finale Party, Routes in Rhythm with DJ Yusuf , Shirikisho Sanaa, Mohamed Ilyas & Twinkling Stars, Sinachuki Kidumbak, Nadi Ikhwan Safaa - Malindi Taarab, DJ Threesixty (aka Bamba Nazar), DJ Eddy mpaka asubuhi.

The festival features musical performances by more than 400 established and upcoming artists (40 groups in total).

Carnival procession

A festival and street parade kicks off festivities on Thursday 11th February, featuring a beni brass band, drummers, wanandege (umbrella women), dancers, stilt walkers and acrobats. The parade arrives at Forodhani around 5pm and continues into the Old Fort (our main venue).

Festival locale

From Thursday through until Sunday, around ten groups perform each day. The festival is centred for four days in the 'Mambo Club' at the historic Old Fort in Stone Town, the festival then moves on for two days of community shows, including 'Busara Xtra' fringe events around Zanzibar town, suburbs and rural locations.

On Tuesday 16 February, the festival leaves the town behind and heads for Kendwa Rocks, a beach location on Zanzibar's north coast. Starting from 4pm, there'll be DJs, acrobats, and live performances evolving into a fantastic Festival Finalé Party - and dancing till dawn.

Tickets

Admission is FREE to East African residents until 5pm. After that you need a ticket or pass. Prices vary for citizens, residents, and visitors. A 4 day pass is US$35 (around £21), and a VIP 4 day pass is priced at US$60 (around £36). There is NO allocated seating. International visitors tend to buy four-day passes and wander in and out as they choose. These are available from the Old Fort daily from Wednesday 10 February 2010.

Accommodation

The festival does not have a campsite, and there is a good range of accommodation options in and around Stone Town.

Flights

Zanzibar has international scheduled flights, or there are international flights to Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar has international scheduled flights served by Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways. Also regional flights served by Fly540, Precision Air, Air Uganda, and 1time (South Africa). Alternatively, Dar es Salaam is served by British Airways, KLM, Swiss Air, South African Airways and Emirates. There are then internal flights or ferries from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

Ferries

Zanzibar is served by a number of ferry companies to/from Dar es Salaam. There are several fast (2hr) hydrofoil crossings daily plus several slower (4hr) vessels. Non Residents should expect to pay up to US$50 incl port tax one-way.

Visas

The requirements and rules regarding visas vary according to your nationality and country of residence. Please check well in advance.

More information will be here when available.

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