Zimfest 2004 Update
August 10

We are very sad to announce that Forward Kwenda will not be able to attend this year’s festival. We have cancelled his session 1 class and found teachers to substitute for his other classes. We have also added additional sessions of some popular workshops, added a few new workshops, and cancelled a few workshops due to low enrollment. We welcome four teachers to the teaching staff: Nathan Beck, Marigrace Becker, and Michel and Rosa Tyabji. Details of the changes, teacher biographies, and new workshop descriptions are below.

Cancelled Workshops

We have cancelled the following classes due to low enrollment:

  • Session #1: Singing: Chaminuka Ndimambo and Gwindingwi, Forward Kwenda and Erica Azim, Fri. 10:00-11:30
  • Sessions #1, #4 & #7: INTENSIVE: Advanced Nyunga Nyunga Mbira: Nhemamusasa Mode, Tendekai Kuture, Fri., Sat. and Sun. 10:00-12:00
  • Session #2: Traditional Guinean Balafon Duets, Naby Camara and Kite Giedraitis, Fri. 1:00-2:30
  • Sessions #5 & #8: INTENSIVE: Advanced Mbira, Cosmas Magaya, Sat. and Sun. 1:00-3:00

Changed Workshops

If you are pre-registered for a class listed in this section, you have been automatically transferred to the new class.

If you were enrolled in any of Forward Kwenda’s classes and don’t want to take the replacement class, you may change or cancel by visiting the workshop table in the registration area to receive credit. Zimfest credits may be used for other available workshops and concert tickets during the festival, or you may request a refund (given after the festival), or donate the money to the Zimfest Association. Classes may not be dropped or exchanged unless you are in a class originally scheduled to be taught by a teacher who was not able to come to Zimfest.

  • Session #1: INTENSIVE: Chipendani, Russ Landers, Fri. 10:00-12:00 — session #1 has been dropped; sessions #4 and #7 remain
  • Session #2: Whose Mbira Is It? Story, Song, and Mbira, Forward Kwenda, Fri. 1:00-3:30 — will be taught by Erica Azim from 1:00-3:00
  • Session #2 & #5: INTENSIVE: Children’s Zulu and Ndebele Dance: Gumboot Dance, Imbube Singing, Kalanga Dance with Lucky Moyo, Fri. and Sat. 1:00-3:00 — changed to single classes, not an Intensive
  • Session #3: Storytelling, David Gweshe, Fri. 4:00-6:00 — changed to “by donation,” no pre-registration required
  • Session #3: Intermediate/Advanced Gandanga Mbira: Chipembere Nhimutimu, Forward Kwenda, Fri. 4:00-6:00 — changed to Intermediate/Advanced Gandanga Mbira, Erica Azim
  • Session #3 & #4: INTENSIVE: Intermediate Mbira: Kare Mugomba, Jennifer Kyker, Fri. 4:00-6:00 and Sat. 10:00-12:00 — changed to single classes, not an Intensive; session #3 covers the kushaura; session #4 covers the kutsinhira
  • Session #4: Singing: Tambai VaHera and Mudzimu Dzoka, Forward Kwenda and Erica Azim, Sat. 10:00-11:30 — replaced with Introductory Mbira Singing: Kariga Mombe, Erica Azim (description below)
  • Session #5: Coaching Groups in Shona Singing for their Bands, Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye, Sat. 1:00-3:00 — time changed to 1:00-2:00
  • Session #5 & #8: INTENSIVE: Intermediate Mbira: Mukai Tiende Variations, Forward Kwenda, Sat. and Sun. 1:00-2:30 — will be taught by Cosmas Magaya
  • Session #7: Shangara Drumming, Forward Kwenda, Sun. 10:00-12:00 — changed to Drumming; teacher and description TBA
  • Session #9: Intermediate Gandanga Mbira: Mauya Mauya, Forward Kwenda, Sun. 4:00-6:00 — changed to Intermediate Gandanga Mbira; teacher and description TBA

Added Workshops

  • Session #1: The Mbira Orchestra of Garikayi Tirikoti, Michel and Rosa Tyabji, Fri. 10:00-11:30 (by donation, no pre-registration required; description below)
  • Session #2: Ndebele Language and Culture, Marigrace Becker, Fri. 1:00-2:00 (by donation, no pre-registration required; description below)
  • Session #3: Beginning Marimba, Michael Breez, Fri. 4:00-6:00
  • Session #4: Intermediate Marimba: Kembendu, Naby Camara and Kite Giedraitis, Sat. 10:00-12:00
  • Session #4: Introduction to Mbira-Style Marimba, Wanda Walker, Sat. 9:30-11:30
  • Session #6: Introduction to Shekere Playing, Stephanie Abels, Sat. 4:00-5:30
  • Session #7: Introductory Hosho, Nathan Beck, Sun. 10:00-11:30 (description below)
  • Session #7: Introduction to Mbira-Style Marimba, Wanda Walker, Sun. 10:00-12:00

New Teachers

Nathan Beck has studied Shona music since the early 1990’s including extensive study in Zimbabwe with Cosmas Magaya, Garikayi Tirikoti, and the Chigamba family. Nathan has been a member of Boka Marimba since 1992 and also plays with Njuzu. He has taught at Zimfest, Camp Tumbuka, as well as many Portland-area schools. Currently, he teaches marimba and mbira at Lewis & Clark College.

Marigrace Becker — Biography not yet available.

Michel and Rosa Tyabji operate Limitless Sky Records in Seattle.

New Workshop Descriptions

Hosho

Introductory Hosho

Nathan Beck
#7 Sun. 10:00–11:30
This class will explore the basics of hosho. First, we’ll investigate how to get a good sound from the hosho. Then we’ll explore the basic hosho rhythms of Zimbabwean music.
Level: Introductory/Advanced Beginning
Limit: 16
Materials: Audio/video taping OK. Bring a pair of hosho if you have one, and earplugs.

Presentations

The Mbira Orchestra of Garikayi Tirikoti

Michel and Rosa Tyabji
#1 Fri. 10:00–11:30
In 2001 mbira master Garikayi Tirikoti recorded his music in our studio in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He also gave us permission to show his music and great talents to as many people as possible. Garikayi has created new mbira tunings which have come to him in dreams. These new instruments allow him to play all traditional tunings in unison, creating an Mbira Orchestra. His virtuosity on every instrument makes him an mbira force, an endless surging river of mbira urging all people to remember the wisdom of their ancestors. We will be setting up our multi-track studio equipment so that everyone can listen to Garikayi playing mbira, hosho, ngoma and singing both lead and backing vocals. Garikayi Tirikoti is an mbira revolutionary, intensifying the experience and sound of mbira music. This class is offered “by donation” and pre-registration is not required.
Level: All
Limit: Unlimited
Materials:

Ndebele Language and Culture

Marigrace Becker
#2 Fri. 1:00–2:00
Marigrace just returned from a year-long homestay/service program in Bulawayo, and is overflowing with enthusiasm to talk about Zimbabwe, specifically Ndebele language and culture. The Ndebele language is particularly interesting because it uses ‘click’ sounds. She’ll also offer people the chance to sample Mopane worms (great crunchy caterpillars), and play some Ndebele gospel music, as well as pop music you’re likely to hear in the public transportation. This class is offered “by donation” and pre-registration is not required.
Level: All
Limit: Unlimited
Materials:

Singing

Introductory Mbira Singing: Kariga Mombe

Erica Azim
#4 Sat. 10:00–11:30
This class is great for mbira students and their families and friends, since all mbira players play this classic piece. This wonderful version of the singing is from the Dzapasi Mbira Group in Rwizi Village, Mhondoro Communal Area, Zimbabwe.
Level: Introductory
Limit: 30
Materials: Audio-taping encouraged; no video taping please.
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