Zimfest 2005 Update
July 27

Greetings: We hope that by now all of you have figured out where the heck Bellingham is located and are busy making your travel plans. As always, the teaching schedule at Zimfest is a bit like one of those squishy things that when you push at one end, it slides out of your hand at the other. There are always some teachers who can’t make it, others pop up who want to come, and well... things happen. So, here is an update on all that has happened recently (along with a reminder that the Registration Guide is still available on the website) along with some guides for what to do when you first arrive.

When you get here: Most of you will be coming from Interstate 5. Take exit 252 which is marked “Samish Way/West Wash U.” Turn west on Samish Way and follow the WWU signs to Bill McDonald Parkway. Turn right onto South College Drive and proceed about the distance of two blocks. Enter the gravel parking lot on your right and look for signs indicating Zimfest in the Fairhaven College area.

Parking: The University will allow an hour of free parking when first arriving so that people have time to check-in at registration and get their vehicles unloaded. After that, a parking pass must be displayed on the vehicle or you may use the (few) metered parking spaces. Parking is free from 5:00 pm on Thursday until 7:00 am on Friday morning and all day on Saturday and Sunday. If you need parking passes for Friday or Monday and have not purchased them yet, please sign up for them on the on-line registration or contact Julie at registration@zimfest.org.

Settling in: After arriving, please go immediately to registration and get checked through. After check-in, unload your vehicle, put your parking pass in the vehicle and move it to the area in the parking lot for cars with passes. Get settled in your room and start enjoying the festival. If you are volunteering at registration on Thursday, please get there by 1:00 pm if possible for the initial training session.

Registration update: The lottery was run shortly after June 28 and confirmations were sent to all those who had paid for their registration. If you registered and have not heard anything, please contact us. From now through August 4 paid registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. On-line registration will be closed on August 5 in order to allow us time to consolidate the data and print out confirmation forms. Participants may make any on-line changes to workshops up to July 31, but all additional payments due must be postmarked by July 31. From July 31 to August 4 changes cannot exceed the amount that you have already paid for. NO changes will be allowed after August 4. See the new section of the website entitled Change and Cancellation Policies.

Housing update: The deadline for sign-up for guaranteed housing has passed. The University may have some housing available at Registration but be aware that this will be limited and you may not get your first choice of accommodations. For those who have registered but need to cancel: a full refund can only be given for housing reservations cancelled by July 31. See the Change and Cancellation Policies for more info.

Meals update: The deadline for reserving all meals is July 31st. (If you are staying in the dorms, the meals are included in your housing package.) To all those of you staying off campus, please note that the Fairhaven cafeteria cannot accommodate many walk-in diners. You will need to purchase individual meal tickets by July 31st to be assured that you will be able to eat in the cafeteria. (This can be done on-line or on the Housing & Meals Reservation form.)

Meal hours: 7:00-9:00 for breakfast, 11:30-1:00 for lunch, and 5:15–7:00 for dinner.

Don’t Forget:

• The daytime concerts will be on an outdoor stage with festival seating only on a large grassy lawn. Be sure to bring a blanket or low camping chair, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, etc. We are hoping for a warm weekend and want you to be prepared!!
• Please bring instruments that you may need for your workshops and consider sharing and/or bringing extras. If you have instruments to share, please contact us at 2005@zimfest.org.
• If you are traveling across an international border, you are well advised to travel with your passport or, alternatively, your birth certificate.
• We must all abide by the University’s policy on Alcohol and Drugs, which states: As prescribed by state law, no person under 21 may acquire, possess, or consume any alcoholic beverage. It is illegal to sell alcohol without a permit or to provide alcoholic beverages to someone under 21. Generally, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages are not permitted on campus. The exceptions, for persons of legal drinking age only, are 1) events for which a banquet permit has been obtained or 2) possession and consumption in private dwelling spaces. University Residences policy defines private dwelling spaces as individual residence hall rooms or apartments with the door closed.

Performer/concerts update: Please continue to check the Concerts page here on the website for updated information as this continues to change with changes in people’s plans.

Teachers and Presenters Update

Garadziva Chigamba is unfortunately unable to come into the US. He is (oh, so) very close to resolving his status in Canada but not in time to get a US visa, unfortunately. Likewise, Kurai Mubaiwa and Kokani Mzite will be not be able to join us for the same reasons.

We are still keeping our fingers crossed that Pasipamire Gunguwo will make it. In addition, we hope that Sydney Maratu, and Benita Tarupiwa will also be able to come.

At the same time we have heard from Rujeko Dumbutshena, Zivanai Masango and Patrick Matsikenyiri that they will be able to join us this year and we will be delighted to welcome them.

Rujeko Dumbutshena - Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Rujeko's early life was profoundly influenced by African musicians, healers, and Shona tradition. She left Africa to continue her education in America. Currently Rujeko teaches African dance in New York, tours nationally and internationally and runs Camp Tumbuka with her husband, Chris Berry.

Zivanai Masango is an amazingly versatile musician, performer and teacher of Zimbabwean music and culture. Primarily a guitarist, he is also a vocalist, plays trumpet , keyboards, mbira and marimba among other instruments. Zivanai has appeared on hundreds of recordings in various capacities, played trumpet with Thomas Mapfumo, is currently lead guitarist in Chris Berry's exceptional pop band, Panjea. He is also a well-respected sound engineer and producer and recently released a new CD of his own compositions.

Dr. Patrick Matsikenyiri is a retired music director and faculty member of Africa University Mutare, Zimbabwe. He has had a distinguished career in education as a Headmaster, teacher, and musician in Zimbabwe and is well-known for his publications of African church music and his work with the United Methodist church and the World Council of Churches.

Teachers/Workshops Update

We are also happy to say that you have registered in numbers far greater than any year before and this has enabled us to make some substitutions and add a few more workshops.

To those of you who have already enrolled in one of the classes offered by Garadziva, Kurai, or Kokani, please note that we have tried to substitute a teacher of equal quality who will either teach the class as closely as possible to what was described in the Registration Guide or teach another song of equal skill level. If you were registered for a class that is listed in the Changed Workshops sections below, you have automatically been transferred to the new class. If you don’t want to take this new class, you have until Aug 4 to make any changes you would like to make via the on-line registration system. See the new Change and Cancellation Policies section of the website. As per these, if you were registered in a changed class, you will also be able to make workshop changes at Zimfest. If you choose to cancel a workshop, you will have a credit showing on your ledger; such credit may be used for other available workshops and concert tickets during the festival, you may request that we refund your money (after the festival), or you may donate it to Zimfest.

See also: Workshop Schedule

Cancelled Workshops

We have cancelled the following workshops due to low enrollment:

• Sessions #4 & #8: Mbira Intensive: Mbavarira, Erica Azim, Sat. 9:00-12:00 and Sun. 1:00-4:00
• Session #9: Advanced Karimba, Tendekai Kuture, Sun. 4:00-6:00

Added Workshops

Added Sessions

These workshops have been on the schedule, and are now offered during additional sessions:

• Session #4: Introduction to mbira: Mukatiende, Irene Chigamba, Sat. 10:00-12:00
• Session #4 & #8: Beginning mbira Intensive: Kariga Mombe, Erica Azim, Sat. 10:00-12:00 and Sun. 2:00-4.00

New Workshops

We have added these new workshops (see below for the descriptions):

• Session #5: Choral Singing & Leading: Africa-Based Choral Church Music, Dr. Patrick Matsikenyiri, Sat. 2:00-4:00
• Session #9: Presentation: Growth of Church Music in Africa under the influence of African Culture and Music, Dr. Patrick Matsikenyiri, Sun. 4:00-5:30 (by donation, no registration required)
• Session #9: Beginning Marimba: Ekwanongoma, Tendekai Kuture, Sun. 4:00-6:00

Changed Workshops

Session Cancelled

• Session #8: Children's Mbira Dance Intensive, Ilana Moon — session #8 (Sun. 1:00-2:00) has been dropped; sessions #2 and #5 remain

Title and Description Change

The teacher has not changed. See below for the descriptions.

• Sessions #2 & #5: Adv. beginning mbira Intensive: choice of song has been changed to Adv. beginning mbira Intensive: Nhemamusasa
• Session #5: Presentation: Empowerment in Education — the description has changed (title unchanged)
• Session #6: Intermediate mbira: choice of song has been changed to Intermediate mbira: Dande
• Session #8: Advanced mbira: Masongano has been changed to Advanced mbira: Ndomutenda Mambo

Teacher Change Only

• Session #1: Introductory drumming will be taught by Duncan Allard
• Session #1: Advanced marimba: Bangidza will be taught by Zivanai Masango
• Sessions #2 & #7: Intensive: Zimbabwean dance: Chinyambera will be taught by Julia Chigamba
• Session #3: Introductory Zimbabwean Dance: Muchongoyo will be taught by Rujeko Dumbutshena
• Sessions #4 & #6: Intermediate drumming Intensive will be taught by Lucky Moyo
• Session #8: Advanced marimba: Chikende will be taught by Zivanai Masango
• Session #9: Intermediate Zimbabwean Dance: Mbakumba will be taught by Rujeko Dumbutshena

Teacher and Description Change (and maybe more)

See below for the descriptions.

• Session #2: Adv. beginning marimba: Skokiana will be taught by Michael Sibanda who will teach his own re-arrangement
• Session #3: Intermediate marimba: Baba Biggie has been changed to Intermediate marimba: Mhondoro Dzinonwa and will be taught by Zivanai Masango
• Sessions #3 & #6: Intermediate Mbira Intensive: Dzoka Kumusha has been changed to Intermediate Mbira Intensive: Bembero and will be taught by Tute Chigamba (materials have also changed; see below)
• Session #5: Intermediate marimba: Mawvya Mawvya has been changed to Intermediate/Advanced marimba: Mari Hakuna and will be taught by Zivanai Masango
• Session #7: Introductory Marimba: Chemwechangu has been changed to a song to be determined and will be taught by Sheree Seretse (class limit increase as well)
• Session #7: Advanced Marimba: Nhemamusasa will be taught by Zivanai Masango who will teach his own arrangement

New Workshop Descriptions

Marimba

Singing

Presentations

Changed Workshop Descriptions

Marimba

Mbira

Presentations

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