Jacaranda Cultural Centre promises a feast of arts in 2020

Faith Kadzanja January 10, 2020

592 1 minute read

SOUNDS OF MALAWI —Gonthako plays the saxophone backed by his band during a concert at the venue last year

Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre says it wants to bring out more activities in 2020 to satisfy arts lovers.

JCC says in a press statement that they were thankful to the people for the support in 2019 and that they will continue from where they left off in 2020.

The centre which last year hosted several performances from different artists as well as the Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Sessions that brought on board acts such as Nachikwangwala and Wyndham Chechamba says the country has talent and that they would want to give this talent the platform.

The centre closed the chapter for the festive season holiday with the Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Sessions in December where they featured Jacoustics, a group made up of students from Jacaranda School for Orphans.

“As we begin a new era, we shall bring the best of arts and culture which has made the Jacaranda Cultural Centre a vibrant staple of Malawi arts,” reads the statement.

Some of the activities JCC has lined up include art exhibitions featuring both local and international artists, theatre series, music concerts, art classes for children and adults as well as creative workshops.

“This is a hub of arts and we want to do more. Last year it was all good. We had artists shining and giving out the best. We had people coming in large numbers patronising the Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Sessions. We had people buying different paintings. We are continuing with all this in 2020 and there are more things coming out in 2020,” JCC Director, Luc Deschamps, who is also French Honorary Consul to Malawi, said.

With several artists struggling when it comes to venues and others failing to hold performances because they cannot afford to pay for venues, JCC has opened up to them and given them a platform.

“We are so thankful to JCC, they have really given us a platform as artists and at the same time exposed us to different audiences. Performing at JCC in 2020 motivated me and I am looking forward to going into the studio to record new songs and at the same time, I am also looking forward to holding more performances,” saxophonist Emmanuel Gonthako said.

Gonthako performed at JCC last year after being out of the limelight for a longtime.

The centre has also indicated that its new session of French and Chichewa courses will start on January 20 2020.