Come visit the Zimfest 2018 Marketplace and explore the wonderful assortment of African art, clothing, crafts, musical instruments, CDs, and DVDs that are available for purchase. Relax on the broad grassy lawn and enjoy the music from the afternoon concert stage as you shop for special treasures. The Marketplace also provides an opportunity to learn about and support nonprofit organizations that are working with the people of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Your purchases from these nonprofits will benefit many lives in Southern Africa.
| Marketplace Hours | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday, August 10 |
| Noon – 5:00 PM | Saturday, August 11 |
| Noon – 5:00 PM | Sunday, August 12 |
The Marketplace and afternoon stage will be located in “The Grove,” an open area with trees around the periphery (see photo below). The Grove is convenient to the Werner University Center (site of Zimfest Registration) and links the WOU campus residential and academic areas. Free parking for Zimfest attendees will be available in Parking Lot F just south of the Grove. 2018 Marketplace Coordinators are Jan and Helen Six.
2016 Marketplace (photo by Karen Wolf)
Zimfest 2018 Marketplace Vendors
Ancient Ways
Nhimbe for Progress is a community development project started in 1999 and based in Mhondoro, Zimbabwe. We have hand-crafts from our Nhimbe villages, and other items from Zimbabwe and Africa. Check out our exquisite sculpture and other stones, embroidery and textiles, and tee-shirts, CDs and hosho. Learn about our Mhandara Monthly Care program for maturing girls, our preschool started in 2002, and our WATER! well building program. Also learn more about our local Albany, Oregon Zimbabwean music program, where we offer weekly classes. Info: www.ancient-ways.org
Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center
Kutsinhira is a nonprofit community center dedicated to the music and people of Zimbabwe. We sell CDs of Zimbabwean music and musicians, tee shirts and African clothing. Info: www.kutsinhira.org
LightSpeed Mallets
LightSpeed Mallets manufactures and sells light weight, high performance professional mallets for Zimbabwean and other African-style marimbas. Mallets will be available for short-term rental during the Festival. Info:
Los Angeles Marimba Institute
With the mission of spreading the joy of marimba of all styles, the Los Angeles Marimba Institute builds and sells Zimbabwean-style and chromatic marimbas and shares and teaches the music from around the world played on this beautiful instrument. Info: www.marimbainstitute.com
Marimbaworks
Marimbaworks provides the most complete line of hand-crafted mallets to the Zimbabwean-style marimba community worldwide. Also maranka gourd hosho and the Mini Soprano marimba featuring 2” keys made of either Brazilian or American cherry. Info: www.marimbaworks.com
MBIRA
MBIRA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the ancient musical traditions of Zimbabwe. MBIRA supports Zimbabwean musicians and instrument makers and their families through worldwide Zimbabwean music education, recordings and performances. During the past 20 years these activities have resulted in payments of well over $1 million to Zimbabwean musicians and instrument makers! MBIRA will be selling mbiras, dezes, hosho, magavhu (leg rattles), DVDs of mbira lessons, CDs (bring a memory stick if you prefer mp3s and mp4s), thumb picks, Zimbabwean copper/brass bangles, books, tee shirts and more. Info: www.mbira.org
Portland Mutare Sister City Association
We have a Sister City relationship with Mutare and will be displaying and selling art panels made by women in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Info: portlandmutare.org
Quilt for Africa
The Quilt for Africa project raises money to support education and sustainability projects in Zimbabwe by donating proceeds to four organizations: Zimfest, Tariro, Ancient Ways, and PMSCA. We raise funds through selling raffle tickets. The 2018 project will raffle a beautiful quilt, mbira, djembe, and ukulele. Info: www.quilt4africa.com
Sandals On My Feet
Selling baskets, fabrics, hats, jewelry, kalimba, headwraps, statues, bags, sarongs, clothing, slippers. Info:
Thembanathi
Thembanathi is a grassroots fundraising organization dedicated to providing support to community-based organization in South Africa offering education, support, and care for young people and their families. We sell beaded jewelry and animals, embroidered cards, and wire baskets, all handmade by Zulu artisans in income-generation projects. Thembanathi will only be at the festival on Saturday. Info: thembanathi.org
Tsuro Collection
Julia Chigamba will be selling African clothing for all ages. Info: tsurocollection.wordpress.com
Zimfest Booth
The Zimfest Booth is the place to buy 2018 tee shirts and posters, and this year’s special merchandise item, Zimfest visors! Tee shirts and posters from previous festivals will be on sale as long as they last! This year’s Booth Manager is Carrie Rodlend of Sequim, WA. Info:
