Showbiz Correspondent
WINDERMERE Bar and Nightspot in Bulawayo has reopened its doors after it closed shop over 10 years ago.
The new outlet will cater for the mature crowd which, according to management, has been starved of quality entertainment.
Situated along the Victoria Falls Road at Windermere Hotel, the nightspot used to be a hive of activity with mbaqanga supremos – Soul Brothers and kwaito star Zola being some of the artistes who performed there.
Windermere entertainment manager, George “Amazing Joe” Zingani, said they would be focusing more on mature clientele who they feel have been neglected as most city clubs offer entertainment suitable for youths.
“We realised that those who like jazz and old school classic music were not being catered for as there’s more of hip hop, house and dancehall in this city.
“So we decided to open the place which had become a white elephant. From my engagements with people, I realised they want such a place where they can relax and reminisce of the good old days,” said Amazing Joe.
He said entertainment offered on Fridays would be different from that provided on Saturdays.
“On Fridays, we’ll have pole dancers entertaining patrons as a way to entice them since this type of entertainment is very popular.
Saturdays have been set aside for old school classics and jazz music.
“In future, we’ll have live bands performing to give a different atmosphere for our clientele.”
Meanwhile, Windermere Hotel will this Saturday host its first ever Wedding Expo, as it, among many other wedding venues, seeks to nurture and harness the industry in the province.
The one day expo will run under the theme Promoting Synergies with All Business Operators.
Windermere Hotel proprietor Rayner Marima said the expo sought to promote the wedding industry and also promote collaborations among established and upcoming stakeholders in the industry.
“We want all stakeholders, developed and upcoming to meet and promote each other. We realised the ‘weddings’ community has not been explored and we want to exploit and harness that industry,” Marima said.
Over 100 exhibitors are expected to attend the event.
“Our stalls are affordable and those wishing to exhibit should come. Entry is free to those that want to attend. We are first timers and hope to interact with those that are more experienced in the industry.”