Pakare Paye Arts Centre now fully operational

After nearly five years of painstaking reconstruction work at an old industrial site in the small farming town of Norton, west of Harare, Pakare Paye Arts Centre has finally been completed.

Except for a couple of small technical areas that are being finalized everything is virtually up and running now. The complex has been christened the House of Tuku Music but in essence it is home to the institution of the arts called Pakare Paye Arts Centre founded by Oliver Mtukudzi in 2003 for purposes of developing and nurturing young talent in various practical artistic endeavors particularly music, dance, drama, poetry, storytelling…

Disadvantaged by distance to Harare, which provides immense opportunities in arts training, education and development, Pakare Paye came as a blessing to young artists in Norton who now have access to unlimited space and professional leadership enabling them to pursue their dreams in the arts. And that is just what the young talent is up to at the Centre.

Almost everyone you meet on arrival at Pakare Paye seems immersed and lost in their own world of music. A young boy walks-by strumming a guitar, another one simply hums a tune loud enough for anyone to hear. A small boy clutching his mbira nods his head to his own rhythm. That explains how music can be contagious, addictive. No wonder they have christened this one, the House of Tuku Music.

The structural plan of the complex housing Pakare Paye was customized and technically designed to provide the necessary space for all the key specialized areas expected of any modesty arts center. Below are some of the specialized areas now functional.

Foyer
Spacious, airy and bright…this is the mirror of the House of Tuku Music when it comes to the Centre’s perception of art. The floor is tiled in ethnic slates and the walls are built in face-bricks giving the entire foyer the authentic feel of originality. Framed contemporary art symbols and decorations hang from the walls. Wooden and metal art works are mixed and mounted within the foyer.

Multipurpose auditorium
Fully air-conditioned with state of the art lighting, the auditorium has a sitting capacity of 200. It has a raised stage and designed with all the acoustics in mind. And being multipurpose it is suitable for a wide variety of functions from performances, rehearsals, training, workshops, etc.

Curio shop 
Tucked away far right of the foyer is the Centre’s curio shop offering a wide variety of artifacts and African attire for mixed ages and both sexes.

Restaurant
With a sitting capacity of 40, the restaurant adjoins the auditorium at the western end of the complex offering a sumptuous a-la-carte and traditional dishes including breakfast. The restaurant provides exclusive menus to small teams of guests as per request and hosts small functions too.

Editing suite
Fully equipped, the suite offers professional facilities for video and short film editing.

Administration wing
The wing houses administrative offices for Pakare Paye Arts Centre and Tuku Music.

Boardroom
Fully furnished and decorated appropriately the boardroom exudes a serious business feel.

Green room
Spacious, bright and laid-back, the green room basically serves as a rest room for artists.

Changing Rooms
These are operational but yet to get final fittings.

Main Stage
This imposing outdoor stage can arguably accommodate the biggest orchestra and overlooks a spacious garden that can comfortably pack in at least 1 000 fans at a single time. Except for a special acoustics-based ceiling and floor, yet to be fitted, the main stage is generally up and running having already hosted musical shows.

Gazebo bar
Probably the most favored spot by music fans at the main stage, the massive gazebo bar at the western end of the garden offers a wide variety of refreshments. Here music fans have a choice of enjoying a vantage point to watch proceedings on stage as they sip from their drinks. Or they simply get their drinks and stroll back to the garden directly in front of the stage. –tukumusic.com