Welcome to the 7th edition of The Greedy Weekend! What is the Greedy Weekend you might ask? Well, it's a new column where we discuss and review some of the weekend events, that we would've attended. It really should've been a podcast but you know web hosting is way cheaper than microphones. So here we are with our round-up of the weekend ending Sunday, 9 March 2025.
An article written by Sandra Garwe
Soul Avenue - Harare
Ah, Soul Avenue. The brainchild of Pub Choir that started as a whisper and grew into a full-blown RnB love affair. I remember the first edition like it was yesterday. Invitations were sent to special individuals. The Hellenic Sports Club was cosy, although the winter air was biting. And the crowd? Oh, the crowd came dressed for the occasion. Destiny’s Child, TLC, and every 90s icon you could think of were resurrected for one glorious night.
It was a rare gem in Harare, a space for mature crowds to relive the golden days of RnB. Where jackets were shed, microphones shared, and strangers became family. There was even an engagement! (Shoutout to that couple, I hope you are still dancing together).
The second edition at Alliance Francaise was just as magical (It made it onto our 10 Harare events that made our 2024 list). The venue was intimate, the music quiz was a hilarious battle of generations (80s vs. 90s, anyone?), and the DJ had us refusing to leave. I met a girl who came alone, and we danced like we had known each other forever. After all, at Soul Avenue, we are all family.
So, without a doubt, Soul Avenue stays firmly on the calendar. It’s an event we eagerly look forward to every time. But, you know how it is, it’s hard to critique something you genuinely love.
Oh, Soul Avenue 2025, my love, what happened? Let’s start with the venue. Rainy season? Muddy grounds? Sandals and white trainers were not having a good time. Instagram was awash the next day with people mourning their shoes.
At one point, standing behind the stage became the VIP section, not because of the view, but because it was the only spot where you wouldn’t sink into the mud. The lighting was so dim, I’m pretty sure we were all squinting to find our friends. Most people’s evening content is probably just a black screen with faint whispers of Ignition (Remix) in the background.
And the DJs? Look, I get it, R. Kelly was a musical genius (controversies aside), but did we really need that many of his greatest hits? One DJ seemed to be playing a game of “shuffle my entire playlist,” jumping from Taurai Mandebvu’s Better Man to All I Do Is Win like we were at a musical trampoline park. I get it we were just happy to not hear any Amapiano, but what happened to the DJs from the other two Soul Avenues?
And don’t get me started on the toilets. One stall for all the ladies? That’s not a queue; that’s a pilgrimage. I feel like toilets are always an afterthought when planning events. The cleaning lady was a hero, but even heroes need backup.
Oh, and the music cutting off at 9 PM? A heads-up would have been nice! One minute, people were still dancing and the next, pure silence.
But here’s the thing; even with the hiccups, Soul Avenue still had its moments. No phones were stolen, bags were left safely on tables, and the crowd? Oh, the crowd made it work. Because that’s what mature crowds do—they bring the vibe, no matter what.
So, Soul Avenue, my dear, here’s my two cents: let’s go back to the basics. Bring back the cosy venues, the curated playlists, and that feeling of belonging that made us fall in love with you in the first place. You’ve got soul, don’t lose it.
Until next time, keep it wavy.
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