Mustapha's website has just launched. Come here for news about what's going on at the hotel, bar or restaurant, and what's going on in and around Zanzibar.

The big upcoming event right here on the east coast is our Big Reggae Party tomorrow night with tunes from Bwejuu DJ Mzee Kwajiji (translates roughly as "elder of the village"). We are going to have cheap beers - TSH2,000 - and some beautiful cocktails, including the Sugar Daddy, made up with fresh sugar cane juice.

Coming up on the island soon is music festival Sauti za Busara with the gorgeous Bi Kidude, who has sung before at Mustapha's. If you haven't met her you must - in her 90s, with irrepressible energy, a dark sense of humour, a mile-wide rebellious streak and a passionate sense of tradition, there is no other like her. Other exciting artists include Comrade Fatso, Samba Mapalanga with Orchestre Virunga, and Natacha Atlas, and there are many other greats playing.

There is also a fantastic literary event/party, Book Slam, happening on the 12th, with hot English writer Patrick Neate, already a Whitbread award winner and a big fan of Africa, and hip-hop artist TY. It may not be high season but it's a pretty exciting time to be in Zanzibar!