"Zoma mahafinaritra: Cool Fridays" Top 5 Page for this destination Antananarivo Local Custom Tip by Norali

Or so are simply called Friday evenings. Friday evenings are cool because it’s, for urbanites, when week-ends begin. It's when it starts. It’s usually made for letting the steam off, partying, going out with friends, to clubs, cabarets, karaoke. “Zoma mahafinaritra” is now an institution, so is “Manal’azy”. For those Friday evenings, newspapers usually print out “l’agenda culturel”, a compilation of all cultural happenings in Tana. You’d expect them to do it esp. on long week-ends. My favourite “agenda culturel” newspapers is at Les Nouvelles. L’Express de Madagascar is quite interesting too. A big cons though: both dailies, like all we have here, are in written French.

Now, you could always check it out at Hôtel Glacier (on Araben’ny Fahaleovantena, the main avenue downtown). They have those concerts, events bills sticked up at their door. Chances are they are in French. Guess you could ask about their program too since, imo, you don’t need to understand the language to appreciate Mozika Mafana. Mozika Mafana is the rhythm Cabaret Glacier is specialized in. Literally translated “Hot Music”, it’s about tropical rythms such as our salegy, our tsapiky made for dancing, partying. For who is in the know, salegy king Jaojoby is nearly a resident there, performing his art cabaret style. Not too big a room. Not that uncommon to see Merina folk groups perform vako-drazana either at Cabaret Glacier. Another cabaret spot I’ve heard good things of is Piment Café, located in Behoririka.
You may check at your hotel too, as some like Radama, Palissandre, carlton (ex-Hilton) reportedly hold regular venues too.
Else, Tana youngsters like karaoke a lot (not my stuff). I’ll give you addresses upon request.
By the way, depending on finance, Zoma mahafinaritra in Tana can be a booze-up evening on the backseat of a car, parked in a parking lot. With all the kalin-taoka: fried chicken, kebabs, meatballs, snacks... mostly meat… to accompany all the booze. As simple as that… and… as long as it’s fun.