Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival 2012 promises to be an exciting three-day celebration of writing, reading, workshops, authors, musicians and open-air concerts once again, from 31st August to 2nd September.

Some of the literary and music world’s biggest names will be at the Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival 2012, when Stone Town, Zanzibar, hosts a variety of literary and music events.

Started last year, Tanzania's first literary and jazz festival is making a name for itself and is quickly becoming home to the greatest celebration of writing in East Africa, with visitors flocking in from all over the African continent, as well as the rest of the world.

 “Jahazi 2012 is bringing more amazing artists to Zanzibar this year. We are working hard to ensure that our artists and festivalgoers have a fantastic experience that they will never forget,” said festival co-founder, Abeid Amani Karume.

From Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September, Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival will play host to topical talks, interviews, interesting debate, readings and writing and music workshops all provided by award winning writers and musicians.

Jahazi Festival’s Music Curator, Adel Dabo, said: “My dream is to take the level of local artists, and music lovers to a higher level by bringing the best musicians to Zanzibar.”

Jahazi Festival’s Literary Curator, Jeffery Allen, said: "For this year's festival we have assembled an impressive group of established and emerging writers, who, one and all, have produced an important body of work about a range of timely subjects, both local and international. Come or miss out."

This year, festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to meet with their favourite authors and musicians at intimate VIP lunches and dinners at the exclusive Zanzibar Serena Inn, with tickets at just $30. You can easily book, or even view the full festival programme online at www.jahazifestival.com.

And while there is a wide variety of literary and music events taking place across Stone Town during the festival, some of our hand picked highlights include:

Day one | Friday 31 August
OPENING CONCERT
An all-stars cast of musicians will be entertaining festivalgoers at the first concert at Livingstone’s beachfront bar & restaurant! Join the jam-packed line-up including the Jamhunters, Moussa Diallo Quartet, Tazano, Simon Spang Hanssen & Rainbow Spirit, Yazz, Aaron Rimbui and the Grand Beats – and Jahazi audition competition winners Wakwetu Jazz band. The concert will be followed by resident DJ Reverend Bobby Love, who will keep you dancing to eclectic beats!
Venue: Livingstone          Time: 19:00 – until late!   Tickets: From 5,000tzs

Day two | Saturday 1 September
JAHAZI JAM SESSION WORKSHOP
The Jamhunters and Simon Spang Hanssen & Rainbow Spirit lead a public jam session workshop for music lovers! Enjoy a brief history of jazz, its roots, and instruments before spending the day sharing ideas, creating collaborative works and jamming your heart away. Don’t forget to bring your own instruments!
Venue: Dhow Countries Music Academy       Time: 10:00-16:00      Tickets: FREE EVENT

Day three | Sunday 2 September
WHERE SHOULD WE GO FROM HERE?
Tariq Ali. Quincy Troupe. Keoraptse Kgositsile. Three authors. Three continents. Three candid views. Where should Africa go from here? A highly interactive discussion that will lend itself to what will be a thought provoking experience.
Venue: Maru Maru             Time: 16:15         Tickets: From 5,000tzs

FESTIVAL LINE-UP

Contact the press office on +255 (0)772 823 234 or visit www.jahazifestival.com for more information.
Note to Editors

1. Jahazi Ltd is a registered and non-profit making organisation.
2. Jahazi Ltd was formed in May 2011.
3. Jahazi Ltd holds an annual literary and jazz festival every year in September.
4. The first festival was held 2-4 September 2011.
5. The key aim of the festival is to educate people through literature and music and to provide a setting in which a meaningful cultural, educational and intellectual dialogue can take place between writer, musicians and festivalgoers.
6. Jahazi Ltd, through its sponsors, provides university scholarships to support the areas of literature and music.