Busara Promotions have unveiled initial details of the highly anticipated dates for the Sauti za Busara music festival’s 10th annual instalment, set for 14- 17 February 2013 in the historic Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

Sauti za Busara is the annual music event in East Africa and widely known as ‘the friendliest festival on the planet’. This edition will feature 200 musicians: more than twenty groups from East Africa and beyond; acoustic and electric, upcoming and established  all performing 100% live.

The Old Fort will host three nights of non-stop live music, with the main programme continuing Friday through Sunday with performances from 5pm until 1am.

The festival also features African Music Films: documentaries, music videos and live concert footage, all focused on promoting the richness and diversity of African music.

Sauti za Busara will continue to host the Movers & Shakers Networking forum for local and visiting arts professionals. This networking space facilitates discussions, exchange and development of ideas on the creative industries in the East African region and beyond.

It’s not just the festival that puts on a show, the local community is encouraged to take part by hosting Busara Xtra fringe events. These may include traditional ngoma drum and dance, fashion shows, dhow races, open-mic sessions, after-parties and performances of Zanzibar’s oldest Taarab orchestras as arranged by the local community.

Over nine years since Sauti za Busara was founded in 2004 the Festival has welcomed an amazing array of artists, including Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga, Nneka, Natacha Atlas, Didier Awadi, Bassekou Kouyate, Jagwa Music, Tumi & The Volume, Fredy Massamba, Thandiswa, Mlimani Park Orchestra, Culture Musical Club, Orchestre Poly Rythmo and many more. The festival features live music only, i.e. no playback

From 1st April 2012 artists can apply to follow in their footsteps by submitting online applications at the Sauti za Busara website. The deadline for completed applications is 31 July 2012. The Festival is looking for both emerging and established artists to participate in a diverse programme. Most important is for the music to be performed 100% live, and that it is clearly connected to Africa.

Artists wishing to apply should visit the Busara Promotions website and complete the online application form at www.busaramusic.org OR by using regular post, they can send applications to Busara Promotions, P O Box 3635, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Applications close on 31 July 2012.

For More Information

Call for Artists       2012 Photo Gallery       Press Kit

For any other questions, contact press@busara.or.tz