Stand-up comedy in Zimbabwe has a mother and her name is Tariro neGitare she has set platform called ACOUSTIC NIGHT for comedians to grow! #GirlsKillingIt
1. You started up a brilliant platform for artist called Acoustic Night what was the motivation ? How long has it been running for ?
The Acoustic Night has been running for 5 years now and I started it merely as a platform for me to perform in the kind of environment I wanted. I then realised many other artists wanted the same vibe and so teamed up with artists like Prayersoul and Elle amongst others who believed in the vision and helped me host the very first event. The rest is history.
2. Creating platforms for other artists let alone for your self is never easy , what were the challenges you faced particularly being a woman and how did you over come them.?
I think as with any project or business, there are the usual hurdles. I had no experience and expertise but just wanted to play my guitar. I had a few management lessons I had to learn along the way and these I learnt by reading and asking as many questions as I could on any subject I was unsure of. One of my biggest challenges was remaining optimistic based on a concept I had in my mind and the potential I saw in it, and trying to sell that vision to people that can take you to the next level...and them not getting it! To over come this I simply held on to the vision and worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition.
3. Loads of women would use a number of reasons not to pursue their art i.e comedy some of those reasons would be i have children / i am married . You , yourself are a single mom and yet have gone not only to continue the acoustic night building artists , but also start a foundation and simultaneously pursue your own musical career how do you balance family work and passion?
Your gift will always make room for you. The best way to balance is to focus. Focus on one thing and the rest will fall in place. Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on
mastering a single area of our lives. Opportunities and doors will open once you focus and then you can naturally grow and diversify.
4. Do you think we need more women in the area of comedy having seen the rise of the men in the Zim industry ?
Yes. We need more women in all forms of art. Generally women participation, particularly in comedy is very minimal. There is such a huge gap and I wish more women realise this and step up to claim their space.
5. How did you handle the issue of needing money to start up your platform ?
I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset. The plan was to make the event run on its own and cover its own costs. I leveraged on relationships I had with service providers and artists to get the ball rolling. Once the event kicked off, the Acoustic Night took care of itself, barely breaking even at first but eventually got things going.
6. What advice would you give women who wish to pursue comedy /art ?
To anyone who wants to pursue their comedy/ art or any passion they may have. Follow your gut. Ignite your passion and fuel it with hard work and determination. Nothing comes easy, but when you focus and put all your energies to making it work, something’s got to give. Ask questions to those that have run the race before you. Forge the right partnerships. Success is a process not an event so the necessary hard work has to follow the passion.
7. Lastly tell us what principles do you live by as you navigate the arts world?
I never forget the source of the gift; God. That keeps me grounded. All business principles apply to the arts world. There are inputs, processes and outputs and no shortcuts to success. I take it one day at a time and value the process and all the good and bad days, because they make me who I am and make me appreciate how far God has brought me in this musical journey. The best is yet to come.
The Acoustic Night has been running for 5 years now and I started it merely as a platform for me to perform in the kind of environment I wanted. I then realised many other artists wanted the same vibe and so teamed up with artists like Prayersoul and Elle amongst others who believed in the vision and helped me host the very first event. The rest is history.
2. Creating platforms for other artists let alone for your self is never easy , what were the challenges you faced particularly being a woman and how did you over come them.?
I think as with any project or business, there are the usual hurdles. I had no experience and expertise but just wanted to play my guitar. I had a few management lessons I had to learn along the way and these I learnt by reading and asking as many questions as I could on any subject I was unsure of. One of my biggest challenges was remaining optimistic based on a concept I had in my mind and the potential I saw in it, and trying to sell that vision to people that can take you to the next level...and them not getting it! To over come this I simply held on to the vision and worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition.
3. Loads of women would use a number of reasons not to pursue their art i.e comedy some of those reasons would be i have children / i am married . You , yourself are a single mom and yet have gone not only to continue the acoustic night building artists , but also start a foundation and simultaneously pursue your own musical career how do you balance family work and passion?
Your gift will always make room for you. The best way to balance is to focus. Focus on one thing and the rest will fall in place. Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on
mastering a single area of our lives. Opportunities and doors will open once you focus and then you can naturally grow and diversify.
4. Do you think we need more women in the area of comedy having seen the rise of the men in the Zim industry ?
Yes. We need more women in all forms of art. Generally women participation, particularly in comedy is very minimal. There is such a huge gap and I wish more women realise this and step up to claim their space.
5. How did you handle the issue of needing money to start up your platform ?
I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset. The plan was to make the event run on its own and cover its own costs. I leveraged on relationships I had with service providers and artists to get the ball rolling. Once the event kicked off, the Acoustic Night took care of itself, barely breaking even at first but eventually got things going.
6. What advice would you give women who wish to pursue comedy /art ?
To anyone who wants to pursue their comedy/ art or any passion they may have. Follow your gut. Ignite your passion and fuel it with hard work and determination. Nothing comes easy, but when you focus and put all your energies to making it work, something’s got to give. Ask questions to those that have run the race before you. Forge the right partnerships. Success is a process not an event so the necessary hard work has to follow the passion.
7. Lastly tell us what principles do you live by as you navigate the arts world?
I never forget the source of the gift; God. That keeps me grounded. All business principles apply to the arts world. There are inputs, processes and outputs and no shortcuts to success. I take it one day at a time and value the process and all the good and bad days, because they make me who I am and make me appreciate how far God has brought me in this musical journey. The best is yet to come.