Symphony lives up to its billing

This week, on Friday night to be precise, Tevin Campbell and Horace Brown will be at the lounge after their once-off performance at the Harare International Conference Centre. The two American rap and hip-hop musicians will be hosted at the upmarket joint — in partnership with international promotional partners RCV who are bringing the artistes to Zimbabwe — for the JC Le Roux Celebrity After Party.
Sifiso Hlazo, a director with Symphony, last week revealed that what they are trying to do is to “set very high standards” in the industry.
“This week, we brought Mic Inity, a local artiste, for our monthly Amarula Celebrity Nite, which was a belated celebrity night for November. For December, we are going to have a JC Le Roux Celebrity After Party instead with Tevin Campbell and Horace Brown, who are going to be here after their performance at the HICC.
“Only last (previous) week, we had the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour After Party and it was a major success. And this Saturday, Coca-Cola will be launching their new product, Coke Zero, here at the Symphony lounge. This is a going to be another big thing,” Hlazo said.
After that, there is also going to be a diaspora party — the name explains it all, he said. All those “diasporans” who would have come from various parts of the world, will meet at the lounge for a massive party on December 19.
“We want to showcase that in Zimbabwe we can have a product which is as good as they (the diasporans) find it anywhere in the world; whether it’s South Africa, Sydney, New York, you name it.
“The diasporans can come here and get all they are used to in terms of service and products . . . we have the widest range of beverages which are found in most parts of the world.”
According to the outline of events, after the diaspora party, there is going to be a Christmas Eve party on December 24.
The versatile Mic Inity will be back at the venue for another performance on the Saturday of that week.
A premier event is also billed for December 31 — the Black Tie Ball — where all men, as well as ladies, would be required to dress up in a black tie or a bow tie.
“New Year’s Eve is all about glamour, style, class and finesse — those are the attributes that Symphony stands for.
“We are trying to set the pace, at very high standards, for everybody in the industry to stand to. If you set the standards that everybody can follow or match, it would be good for the whole country. Other venues are about numbers, location or are seasonal, but we all complement each other in the industry.”
Hlazo said he was pleased at the fact that their sponsors — Coca-Cola, JC Le Roux and Amarula “understand what we are trying to do and support us”, adding that they have exciting events lined up for next year.
However, one of the products they have introduced is the Ladies Nite, also known as the Nederburg Listening Room, in partnership with the wine producer.
“Nederburg gives complimentary glasses of wine to everyone who attends, every Wednesday. That’s the closest ladies night concept we have been running for close to two-and-half months now,” Hlazo said.
He emphasised their commitment to the highest standards saying “Symphony can’t do everything for everybody, but we are proud to say we are about class, style and finesse”.