It's showtime, folks

Finally, time for the performance at Sauti za Busara. Virunga is headlining, the closing set of the festival. There was a lot of energy and everyone enjoyed it, the band, the fans, the festival personnel and Samba. He sang all his hits and everyone in the audience was singing along to "Vunja Mifupa," "Dunia Tuna Pita," and "Marina." At one point, he was joined on stage by the taarab legend Bi Kidude, who sang one of her ribald wedding songs to the delight of the crowd. Great appreciation to the Busara organization for a very professionally presented event--bravo and well done! Special thanks to Rosie for her efforts way above and beyond the call of duty. And asante sana to Yusuf for giving Virunga this wonderful opportunity to connect with fans and supporters from Tanzania and abroad. Photos by Alain Hullien, from top: Rhythm guitarist John; waiting nervously backstage: Suleiman (sax), Teddy (singer), Mami Watah (dancer), Bofta (band manager) and Jeremy (singer); Mami Watah does her famous "water dance," balancing a bottle on her head; Samba takes a bow. Last two images courtesy of the Sauti za Busara web site, busaramusic.org.

Room with a view

On Sunday, we met up with Doug Paterson, renowned East African music scholar and collector, and Ann Wanjie, editor of africanmusiciansprofiles.com in from London. Doug took us to his favorite viewing spot of Zanzibar, the Africa House, for some peaceful moments and watched the dhows cruising the Indian Ocean in the tropical breezes.
Our missing luggage returned, and we prepared for Virunga's performance at the festival that night.

Time out for a brief photo safari

And now a little tour of the picturesque, narrow winding lanes of Stone Town, in which I quickly became lost and disoriented, and had to be led back to the hotel by a Good Samaritan on a bicycle.
But it was wonderfully gratifying to see Samba's image plastered on the walls on the Sauti za Busara festival posters.

The road to Zanzibar

Actually, we flew. Here's some of the band members en route at Nairobi airport. Aside from some unpleasantness having to do with yellow fever vaccination certificates, my lost debit card and the confiscation of some of our luggage and one of our dancers, the trip was uneventful.

Lest we forget our mission

Yes, we are here to work, to make music. It's not all sukumawiki and Tuskers. Here is Syran Mbenza and Samba having a little practice in the hotel room. The full band rehearses tomorrow and Thursday, preparing for Virunga's appearance at the Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar this weekend.