Learnmore Jonasi made a name for himself by taking jabs at, well, himself. The comedian’s self-deprecating humour makes light of his upbringing in the village, his height — he was previously known as Long John the Comedian — and his exploits as an African man from Mutare navigating life between two worlds. All of this landed him fifth place on America’s Got Talent 2024 and first place in worldwide comedy competitions. Still, he’s humbly coming back home of his own volition for the “Deported Back to Africa” part of his tour, with two shows in Harare and one each in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

Inspired by her dreams, Portia Zvavahera's artworks earnestly convey the abstract forms and shapes that appear in the depths of her sleep cycles. Imprecise strokes are paired with dribbling paints and textural patterns. The effect is sweetly fantastical, uniquely spiritual and, at times, nightmarish. Her works, which explore the relationship between her African Pentecostal upbringing and Indigenous Shona traditions through a mix of painting and printmaking, were on view in Edinburgh, Scotland until May. For her first solo US exhibition, Zvavahera presents a collection that hinges on the theme of animals, their personal and communal significance.

Filling the theatre-sized void left behind by the Harare International Festival of the Arts, Mitambo International Theatre Festival brings five days of drama to the capital. In the past, the festival has made room for music, poetry and dance, but stage theatre has remained its bread and butter. Previous actors have made their way from as far as Switzerland and Germany to bring to life themes such as “Converge” and “Connect.” This year, local and international thespians, panellists and industry professionals will “Redefine” traditions with performances and workshops that upend and experiment with cultural norms.

Few spaces in Zimbabwe blend urban culture and digital media masterfully. Shoko Festival serves as a blueprint for this type of locale, one that celebrates the arts while instigating critical societal conversations. Over three days in Harare and Chitungwiza, the event offers attendees the chance not only to be entertained by music, dance, theatre, spoken word and comedy — laughs courtesy of King Kandoro — but also to engage in discourse around cyberspace realities. This year, Shoko Festival asks participants to consider the theme “Decolonize The Internet” via panels, fireside chats, exhibitions and workshops, a unique mix as far as festivals go.

Artists at the Chitungwiza Arts Centre had much to say about Cecil John Rhodes’ colonialist legacy in Zimbabwe, and they did so through sculptures. Out of over 100 submitted works of art, four were selected for exhibition at the University of Oxford’s Oriel College, where Rhodes was a student and where a statue of him currently stands. The Zimbabwean-made sculptures counter the Rhodes statue, exploring themes of oppression and freedom during and after colonial rule. The pieces will travel throughout Oxford during the exhibition period.