Date set for Byo awards
THE much anticipated inaugural Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) have been launched with the awards ceremony set for June 30 at the Large City Hall.
The BAAs to honour the efforts of artistes from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, were launched on Wednesday night at a city hotel with organisers saying $40 000 is needed to stage the ceremony.
Fortunately, the who’s who of the local business and arts industry were in attendance and pledged to sponsor the awards show. Among those who offered to sponsor various awards were United Refineries Limited (URL) chief executive officer, Busisa Moyo, who pledged to get three companies to sponsor. CNC pledged $200, studio time; one music video, 100 CDs, 100 DVDs and a photo shoot for one of the winners in the music award category.
The steering team of the awards comprises of Saimon Mambazo, Raisedon Baya, Reason “Rizzla” Sibanda, Nkululeko Nkala, Vusumuzi Siqalaba and Mvuselelo Huni.
Spokesperson, Nkala said: “We’ve structured partnership categories for people and organisations and companies willing to share the vision with us. It’s our hope that each and every award carries a prize.”
There will be 38 awards in 10 categories namely, Special Awards, DJ Awards, Music Awards, Visual Arts Awards, Dance Awards, Theatre Awards, Spoken Word Awards, Fashion and Lifestyle Awards, Film Awards and Art in Schools Awards.
Nominations for the various awards were opened on Wednesday with entry forms already available at Boom City offices in Bulawayo. Alternatively, one can access the entry form online from the website www.byoarts-awards. org <http://www.byoarts-awards.org>. The deadline for submissions is May 15.
Nominees will be announced on or before June 7, a few days before the awards ceremony on June 30.
“All works submitted must have been performed more than once or in the case of music, released and played on radio and other public platforms. All works must have been seen or consumed by the public and 25% of the vote in all awards will be from the public. The other 75 percent will be by qualified and reputable judges, who include industry professionals and journalists,” said Nkala. Here is the list of Categories (Awards)