Rhumba Night�s revists oldies
Dumisani Ncube | Tuesday April 26, 2016 14:39
Rhumba Night is a monthly event established by veterans Charity Ntebang, Pepe Sammy, Irene Princess Kwasa and Zong Zing friends.
People of different nationalities: Batswana, Congolese, Tanzanians, Burundians and the French graced the event. They enjoyed the live music played by local and Congolese acts such as Charity Ntebang, Pepe Samy, Irene Princess Kwasa Willy Britana, Franck Wadile, drummer John Kassoma and guitarist Joe Mass.
The musicians performed a number of old sixties cover tracks from the likes of Felicite Mokili Mobimba which brought a number of grown revellers on stage to sing along and dance. They sang in different languages such as Lingala, French Setswana and Shona.
It was more of an interactive session whereby interested individuals would go on stage and join the musicians to sing with them or play the various instruments. They staged some solid Rhumba act that was popular in the 90s, which reminds one of great performances by Les Wanyika in the olden days.
After an eight-year hiatus, Ntebang who is also known as the Rhumba Diva went on stage to perform old and new songs such as Bakaye, Moletloe. The Rhumba Diva went on to perform a cover from M’Bilia Bel’s Nairobi for which revellers requested an encore.
Apart from music, the restaurant served Congolese cuisine Kwanga, Pondu and Fumbwa, which added a glitter to the calibre of the event it was.
Despite aging, Ntebang still has it as she joined dancers on the dance floor doing various Rhumba dance moves that included jumping and shaking the waist vigorously. Some revellers were heard commenting that she had brought back memories of Africa Sounds, a band that comprised of the likes of Alfredo Mos and the late Democratic Republic of Congo national, Lawi Somana.
Sammy said this event is a follow up from an annual event called Soiree Congolaise, which they used to host at Alliance France. “The difference is that Rhumba Nights is a monthly event”.
He said Rhumba Nights is more of a jam session whereby they will be performing their various songs and musicians from different avenues are invited to come and entertain the audience with different Rhumba songs, be it their original songs or covers as there will always be a live band.