Hello Zimfest community,
The countdown continues: 17 days until we meet again in Monmouth! As you probably know, registration for Zimfest housing and dining has closed. Signup for workshops and volunteering will close on midnight August 1. At that time the Organizing Committee will put the final touches on plans and programming for Zimfest 2018 at Western Oregon University August 9-12.
- We will be cancelling low-enrollment workshops (those with 0, 1 or 2 students) on July 26, so if there is something you have your eye on, be sure to sign up before then or it may disappear from the schedule! Did you know that Cultural Presentation workshops are only $10 per hour? We would hate to have to cancel any of these educational sessions, so please peruse what is available on the Cultural Presentations page and sign up to deepen your knowledge of Zimbabwean culture.
- Mbira instruments needed for mbira workshops: if you have signed up for an mbira workshop, some instruments will be provided in the tuning called for in the workshop description. If you own or can borrow an instrument, do bring it to the workshop. Further, if you can lend mbira instruments in the following tunings, please bring them to the Registration desk, and we promise we’ll take good care of them: nyunga nyunga; mbira dzavadzimu/nhare – Magaya standard tuning, also G tuning.
- Hosho are supplied for hosho workshops thanks to Craig LaFollette of Marimbaworks, but if you have a favorite pair of your own, bring them!
- Mary Shales’s Gofundme campaign to raise money for a plane ticket for Patience Musandirire did well for the first few days, and Zimfest was able to advance the money to buy him a plane ticket! However, the campaign has stalled at $945, of which Gofundme will keep a high percentage. If the campaign reaches $1500, Patience will not need to sacrifice his workshop earnings to help pay for the ticket. If you wish to donate, this is the direct link is gf.me/u/jtysvt. Tatenda, Siyabonga!
Festival Coordinator Claire Jones
The Zimfest 2018 Organizing Committee
More important now than ever:
I have a booking for a double room in the quiet wing of Ackerman and am willing to share it with someone (any gender) who missed the deadline. I am quiet and respectful and expect the same.
Hi Ann
I am tentatively thinking about coming to Zim fest and wonder what the cost would be for Thur. through Sun. if the space is still available. I am quiet and respectful of others.
Thank you
Hi Mariel–The double room is $56/night and you can pay what you can afford (but not more than half). Email me directly at I hope you can make it to Zimfest! -Ann
I can loan my “G” tuning Dzavadzimu tuning until 3pm Sunday. We’re leaving right after the 1pm workshop ends.
Who and where should I deliver it after we arrive Thurs. afternoon?
Nancy,
Please bring it to the registration desk. You should make sure that it is somehow marked “Return to owner after Session 6 Sunday” so that it doesn’t get taken to a Session 7 class! Thanks, Claire