Zimbabwe's legendary Book Cafe, home to Harare's vibrant live and alternative cultural scene and artists’ centre at Harare Culture House, has now found a home in the UK that will host afro-jazz, poetry, afrobeat, comedy and all the usual live Book Cafe magic you would expect.

From February 2010, Book Cafe UK will be putting on a regular monthly night called Paw Paw Jam on the last Wednesday of every month in London.

To kick it off, there is a special showcase launch at The New Empowering Church on Friday 29th January. This show will feature a special Paw Paw Jam poetry slam including performances from artist, poet and comedian Victor Mavedzenge who was one of the founding members at the now legendary House of Hunger poetry slam in Harare and the sensational South African poet Leeto Thale.

Music will be provided by the awesome afro-ska sensation that is South African band A Tower of Sheep (ATOS). After touching down in London a year ago from Grahamstown, ATOS have been setting venues alight with their surprising and uplifting blend of rocking ska and afro and are already building up a strong London following.

Headlining on the night will be Mashasha who is launching his debut solo album. Mashasha has already rocked London stages at the London Refugee Week festival, Zimfest, and Rise festival in the last couple of years. He will be appearing with a live band including the one and only drumming and percussion master Sam Chagumachinyi. In 2009, the duo completely stole the show at the Africa Day Africa rocks! festival. Mashasha and Sam originally played together in afro-jazz band Too Open in Harare.

Harare’s Book Cafe has played a pivotal role in launching and promoting a number of outstanding Zimbabwean acts including Chiwoniso, Mbira Dzenerira, Dudu Manhenga, Victor Kunonga, Comrade Fatso, Mokoomba, MicIinity, Outspoken, Edgar Langeveld, Michael Kudakwashe, Victor Mavedzenge and many others. It has remained an oasis of creativity, free speech and progressive thinking. Paw Paw Jam was started in Harare to celebrate cultural diversity. The new Paw Paw Jam night at The New Empowering Church in London will be home away from home for the Book Cafe diaspora in UK, and for Londoners a chance to experience the Book Cafe vibe on their doorstep.

We are also always seeking out new talent to add to our existing database for future Book Cafe UK events. All enquiries to pawpawjamuk@gmail.com