Emerson Zanzibar Foundation involved in Stone Town Festivals
Sauti za Busara Zanzibar Festival 2024
Sauti za Busara is an annual music festival that takes place around the second weekend of February in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
This world famous African music festival has three stages over four days. With established and upcoming artists from the African continent and diaspora, the festival aims to showcase music with cultural identity. Networking sessions help professionals connect with each other.
Tickets with 50% discount are available for African passport-holders and EAC Residents, and Tanzanian nationals can enjoy further discounts. Sauti za Busara is recognized as one of Africa’s best music events by BBC and CNN.
Emerson Zanzibar’s Secret Garden presents an additional music event on the Thursday or the Friday before the main stage events. See our Zanzibar Events Page or social media for more details
Get tickets at busaramusic.org from 7th Feb 2024 at 11:00am.
Sauti za Busara 2025 & Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Music Awards
East Africa’s biggest music festival
For more details see our Music Award 2024 Article
Thursday 8 February 2024
Busara PLUS at the Secret Garden
The Sauti Za Busara Festival is here! Come join us on Thursday Night at Secret Garden, Emerson Spice, Stone Town with Sauti za Busara and a special performance by Dazz Jazz!
Join us every Friday and Wednesday this month for some amazing music!
Starting from 20.00
Secret Garden is found in Emerson Spice Hotel, Stone Town
Reservations recommended, please book via WhatsApp +255 774 483 483
or [email protected]
Stone Town is a thriving, historic and cosmopolitan place. There is always something going on. Emerson Zanzibar hotels and restaurants are at the heart of the many of the annual events in Stone Town – Sauti za Busara, Zanzibar Film Festivals and Food Festivals.
Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi are also our hosting weekly or daily events; live music performances with talented local musicians and bands, art exhibitions and many other cultural, community events.
The Princess Salme Museum is next to the Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel. The magical, mysterious and romantic story of the Princess of a Sultan, who lifted the veil on the royal family life by writing a book, her artifacts and secrets are to be found in the museum.
Don’t miss out, please follow our social media channels to keep up-to-date with the very latest in what is happening in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
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Live Music Events Throughout the Year
Authentic Music and Live Events
Zanzibar Film Festival
The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is East Africa’s largest film and arts festival, exhibiting the latest and best films and promoting film talents from across the African continent and beyond.
The festival’s extensive programme includes film, performance, music, workshops and children’s events, as well as the large-scale outdoor films in the amphitheatre at the Old Fort for which the festival is renowned. There also also several pop-up events, workshops and training in media literacy, film curation and filmmaking within Tanzania, ensuring that the festival continues to act as a flagship arts organisation for East Africa.
Emerson Zanzibar Art Gallery, Exhibitions & Artists
Celebrating Art – Art Exhibition & Artists’ Stories
Celebrating Art – Art Exhibition & Artists’ StoriesThere are regular exhibitions in the Emerson Art Gallery & Café which can be found by an entrance next to Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel in Stone Town. There is also an Art Gallery in the Secret Garden in Emerson Spice Hotel.
Entrance is free for all visitors.
Every year there is also Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Award event.
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Zanzibar Wedding Festival
Henna painters, makeup artist and fashion designers – they all come together at the Zanzibar Wedding Festival. The event aims to promote Zanzibari culture – and promote the island as a wedding destination.
In 2022, the festival is scheduled to take place from 2 till 5 December.
The event will have an array of exiting activities that focuses on reviving the traditions in a new and innovative way through events, shows, discussion panels, exhibitions and more, creating exclusive and comprehensive take on highlighting investment opportunities in several sectors of the Wedding Industry; investment, economy, lifestyle, entertainment and industry’s infrastructure potential in Zanzibar.
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Zanzibar Book Fair 2023
Zanzibar Book Fair will be the inaugural celebration of Zanzibari literature. Organized by the Zanzibar Renaissance Literary Society, this annual event will be the first of its kind meeting place for local and global writers to exchange ideas, be inspired, and peruse thousands of books!
The Keynote speaker for this inaugural edition will be Prof. Abdulrazak Gurnah, Nobel Laureate in Literature 2021. The homecoming for this beloved son of Zanzibar will be a poignant start for the book fair where he will also be headlining the African launch of Peponi, a Swahili translation of his 1994 novel, Paradise. The translator is the ever-wonderful Dr. Ida Hadjivayanis, Senior Lecturer in Swahili Studies, SOAS University of London.
The Zanzibar Book Fair will be held from 20th to 22nd of October, 2023.
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Prof. Abdulrazak Gurnah
We are thrilled to welcome you to an open studio exhibition of Jan van Esch’s Ghabh - Nipe Nikupe, that explores the rich narratives embedded in textiles.
🕙 *Exhibition Dates:* February 12 - April 9, 2026
📍 *Location:* Emerson Foundation Gallery, 236 Hurumzi Street, Stonetown
🕔 *Opening Hours:* Tuesday - Sunday, 10 AM - 6 PM
In this thought-provoking exhibition, Jan van Esch transforms abandoned clothing into a powerful commentary on culture, identity, and the textile waste crisis. By scavenging garments from Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dar es Salaam, Jan highlights how clothing can serve as a communicative system bridging cultural divides through visual language.
The journey of clothing, from cherished garment to discarded waste reveals complex layers of meaning. Jan’s patchworks and intricate drawings celebrate these fragments, bringing new life and story to what we wear and waste. Through his art, he invites us to move beyond monologue to dialogue, questioning how we engage with textiles in our daily lives.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Jan’s compelling installations and join the conversation about the global implications of our fashion choices. We look forward to welcoming you to this vibrant exhibition!
With thanks to @veritaszanzibar @emersonspicezanzibar and Emerson on Hurumzi for supporting this exhibition
📸✨ *Be sure to follow us for sneak peeks and highlights as we countdown to the opening!* #GhabhExhibition #JanVanEsch #EmersonFoundation #Textiles #artexhibitions
*🎉 Join Us for the 10th Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Music Award 2026 🎶*
🗓 LIVE PERFORMANCE
📅 Date: February 4, 2026
🕓 Time: From 4 PM
📍 Location: Mnazi Mmoja Grounds
🌟 Come Enjoy and discover a new Zanzibar’s musical talent!
🏆 AWARD CEREMONY
📅 *Date:* February 7, 2026
🕗 *Time:* 8:30 PM
📍 *Location:* Mnazi Mmoja Grounds
Celebrate the best in music and witness the awarding of exceptional talents who have made their mark in our music scene!
✨ Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends and family to enjoy the sights, sounds, and rhythm of Zanzibar!
For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Email:[email protected]
Whatsapp: +255 687 048 767
#EmersonsZanzibar #MusicAward2026 #TaarabFusion#ZanzibarVibes
AiR Spice – Artists in Residency
📍 Emerson Spice Hotel – Secret Garden
Opening Event
🗓️ 29th January 2026 January
4pm - 6pm
Open Daily from
🗓️ 29th January 2026 January - 22nd March 2026
🎨 Resident Artist: Suzana Edward Thomas
AiR Spice is a new residency program by Emerson Spice Hotel in collaboration with the Emerson Zanzibar Foundation, created to uplift and promote Zanzibari visual artists. The program transforms hospitality spaces into vibrant cultural hubs where art is not just displayed, but created, shared, and experienced in real time.
This season, we welcome our fourth resident artist, Suzana Edward Thomas.
Suzana is a visual artist from Zanzibar whose practice centres on painting and creative exploration. She began her artistic journey during secondary school and later received formal training in art and painting between 2019 and 2021.
She continues to refine her practice through mentorship with senior artists at the Cultural Arts Gallery in Ngome Kongwe and currently works as an independent artist. Suzana is a recipient of the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Visual Arts Award and participated in a one-month artist-in-residence programme at Apao Village, where she strengthened her creative approach and professional confidence.
AiR Spice is more than an art residency it’s a bridge between artists, community, and visitors, placing Zanzibari creativity at the center of cultural experience.
📩 More info: [email protected]
📸 Follow the journey: @emersonzanzibarfoundation | @emersonspicehotel | IG: @suzyart575 / FB: @Suzy Art
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation and Tara Jazz warmly invite you to the launch of their new album CHEICHEI
🗓️Saturday 24 January 2026
🕕 from 18.30 until 22:00
📍 in the Secret Garden at Emerson Spice Hotel
Please R.S.V.P. to
[email protected] or WhatsApp: +255 687 048 767
🙏Thanks to @emersonspicezanzibar and @veritaszanzibar Veritas Foods & Drinks for supporting the event.
Album Release Event Schedule:
6:30pm - Guest arrival, welcome drink, networking
7:00pm - Introductions
7:20pm - Acoustic guitar performance – Martin Sambwe
7:40pm - Conversation with Tarajazz Band
8:00pm - Break
8:30pm - Album launch segment
8:40pm - Tarajazz Band performance
10:00pm - End of performance photos
10:00pm - Close of evening
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation and Tarajazz warmly invite you to the launch of their new album CHEICHEI
🗓️Saturday 24 January 2026
🕕 from 18.30
📍 in the Secret Garden at Emerson Spice Hotel
Lots of thanks 🙏 go to @emersonspicezanzibar and @veritaszanzibar for supporting this event 💜
Please R.S.V.P. to [email protected] or whatsapp: +255 687 048 767
Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation announces the winner of the 5th Visual Arts Award – 2025 🎨
Held under the theme “From Canvas to Community”, this year’s award brought together twelve Zanzibari visual artists using art as a catalyst for social and cultural impact.
Participating artists: Kheri Shaibu Salim, Abdulrahman Ramadhani (Bin Sukheir), Haji Mwinyi Khamis (Migo), Abdallah Salim (Dula Obidi), Mmadi Aussi, Omar Idd Omar (Mnyamwezi), Mohamed A. Talib, Abdulla Khamis Omar (Dullah Wise), Hussein Mkada Hussein, Sizya Hafidh Dawson, Abdu Haji Ussi (Rogo), and Asha Abdalla Alli.
After a rigorous selection process, Mohamed Talib was named the winner for his project “Story Tell Sessions”, which uses storytelling to bring communities together while preserving Zanzibari traditions and collective wisdom.
Congratulations to all the artists for celebrating creativity, community, and culture.
1st MOHD A.TALIB
2nd ABDULLA KHAMIS OMAR (Dullah Wise)
3rd SIZYA HAFIDH DAWSON
We want to thank everyone who contributed and supported the exhibition and huge congratulations to all the participants 👏
🖼️ Come see all the amazing artworks
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery at Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel
🗓️Exhibition is open until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
*Karibu kwenye Sherehe za Kutangaza Mshindi wa Tuzo ya 5 ya Sanaa za Uoni ya Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation – 2025*
Chini ya kaulimbiu “Kutoka kwenye Canvas hadi kwenye Jamii”, tunakualika kuungana nasi kusherehekea ubunifu, mawazo na mchango wa wasanii wa Kizanzibari kwa jamii yao.
Wasanii 12 wamewasilisha kazi zao bora pamoja na mapendekezo ya miradi ya kushirikisha jamii, na sasa ni wakati wa kumtambua msanii ambaye kazi yake na maono yake yatapata fursa ya kutekelezwa kupitia tuzo hii.
📅 Alhamisi, 15 Januari 2026
🏆 Sherehe za Kutangaza Mshindi wa Tuzo
📍 Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery
Njoo ushuhudie tukio la kipekee linalounganisha sanaa na jamii, na uwe sehemu ya safari ya kuibua mabadiliko kupitia sanaa.
*Karibu sana.*
🎶 *WITO WA MAOMBI* — Tuzo ya 10 ya Muziki ya Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation 2026
Je, wewe ni mwanamuziki mpya mwenye mapenzi na utamaduni wa Muziki wa Zanzibar?
*Huu ni wakati wako!* 🔥
🎼 Dhamira: *TAARAB FUSION*
Changanya Taarab na mitindo ya kisasa kama:
Jazz, Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Bongo Fleva, Zenj Fleva na kadhalika.
🎻 Ala za Zanzibar kama qanun, oud, kayamba, marimba, ngoma, sanduku bass & accordion.
🏆 *Mshindi atapata:*
• Mafunzo & warsha
• Mentorship
• Fursa za kukuza taaluma
• Uwezekano wa residency ya utunzi
✨ Tunatafuta wanamuziki chipukizi na wa kizazi kipya cha wanamuziki wanaoheshimu na kuuthamini urithi wa Zanzibar na kuubeba kwenda mbele.
📩 *Tuma ombi lako leo! *
#EZFMusicAwards2026 #TaarabFusion #ZanzibarMusic #NewArtists
Welcome to this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come see the amazing artworks
🗓️Exhibition until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement will be at 4pm on 15th January 2026
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
Welcome to this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come see the amazing artworks
🗓️Exhibition until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement will be at 4pm on 15th January 2026
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
Welcome to this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come see the amazing artworks
🗓️Exhibition until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement will be at 4pm on 15th January 2026
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
Welcome to the opening of this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
🕓at 4pm on Thursday 18th of December 2025
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come to see the artworks and meet the participating artists during the opening of this exhibition.
🗓️Exhibition open till 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement at 4pm on 15th January 2026
