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Posts Tagged "housing and dining"

Final Pre-ZF Message

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News — No Comments ↓

Hello all,

The Zimfest excitement (and logistical issues) are building! Latest developments and reminders:

  • Those who missed the registration deadline and have inquired about whether dorm rooms will be available to rent on-site, your wish has been granted! There were seven remaining rooms, all doubles, that had not been rented. We are still working out the details with CWU, so check with Zimfest Registration desk starting Thursday at noon – check the Festival Schedule for registration hours. The price for these rooms may turn out to be higher because of the late date.
  • The description for the Session 4 workshop Exploring Mbira DzaVadzimu taught by Lino Piloto initially stated that it would be taught in G-tuning mbira-s. This is incorrect, it will be taught in Magaya standard tuning mbira. A number of Magaya tuning mbiras will be provided; you are welcome to bring one if you can.
  • The weather report for the first day of Zimfest 2025 shows a moderate temperature of 75 and wind; a reminder to vendors to weigh down your canopies (no staking allowed) and campers to fully secure their tents. Heading into the weekend, more typical hotter temperatures are forecast, peaking on Sunday into the 90s! A reminder to bring your sunscreen and water bottles – stay hydrated!

Here’s a preview of what is in store from the Zimfest Marketplace Booth – custom-designed Zimfest 2025 tunics!

See you soon in Ellensburg!

Festival Coordinator Claire and the OC

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Zimfest Volunteers and News

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News — No Comments ↓

We L-O-V-E our volunteers*!

L-ive the life of a helper
O-pen your heart as you share the work
V-olunteer to show you care
E-veryone can do it!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all who have signed up to volunteer. For those who haven’t yet, we need your help! We are still looking for folks who can join in with “many hands make light work” during Zimfest 2025.

We are in urgent need of volunteers to sign up for Thursday and Friday morning:
-Thurs:  Workshop Instrument and General Festival set-up
-Fri: Workshop Support and Marketplace set-up
* Credit and thank you to former Volunteer Coordinator Ev Keller for the “LOVE-Many Hands” image! 

Festival Reminders and Tips

  • Registration closes for Workshops and Volunteer Sign-up at 11 PM on July 28: no changes until August 7 onsite
  • Take note of Housing Check-in times with CWU Conference Services. If you are not able to be there for the listed check-in times, please arrange for someone to sign in on your behalf. If you cannot find someone to sign for you, write to housing[at]zimfest[dot]org to make arrangements for key and meal pass pickup.
  • Note from CWU housing: Sleeping room access is not guaranteed before 3 PM on day of arrival. If rooms are ready before 3, participants will be noticed during check-in.
  • If you are signed up for Zimfest camping and are arriving on Wednesday before Zimfest registration opens, please write to housing[at]zimfest[dot]org to make arrangements to pick up your camping pass.
  • Remember that the CWU dorms we are in are NOT air-conditioned! Bring your fans! The SURC and academic buildings in which workshops are taking place are air-conditioned, however.

Two weeks until Zimfest 2025! Woo-hoo!
Claire and the OC

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Deadline July 17 for Zimfest Housing, Meals and Marketplace

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Howdy Zimfest-ers,

  • Registration for dorm rooms and pre-purchased meal plans will close midnight (PDT) on Thursday, July 17. There are still double rooms available in the main CWU dorm Alford-Montgomery, but we cannot guarantee that CWU housing will be able to release any for walk-ins at the festival. Participants will not be able to purchase meal plans onsite, but must pay with credit cards in the Homes Dining Hall. 
  • Vendor applications for the African Marketplace will also close on July 17. Those who apply after the deadline will be charged a late fee and may not be able to request any tables and/or chairs.

Zimfest Tips and Requests

  • Registration for Workshops closes July 28. It is too late to request a private group (marimba) workshop, but if you are one or two people unable to get into an mbira workshop that interests you, you may be able to approach the individual teacher and set up a mutually agreeable time for private instruction. If you do not request the use of any of the Zimfest workshop rooms, you will not need to involve Zimfest personnel in setting it up. Do remember that most Zimbabweans are here on B1/2 visitor’s visas, and can only receive donations/tips for teaching.
  • Volunteer Sign-ups also close July 28. We thank all who have signed up after our discovery and announcement that the volunteer system had been hacked with many fake names. We have many set-up needs if you plan to come on Thursday during the day. Please help us out with Signage, Workshop Instrument Set-up or General Festival Set-up if you are available to help.
  • Drums Needed! In addition to the set of Zimfest drums used in group drumming workshops, many teachers request single drums in their marimba or dance workshops. If you can lend Zimfest a hand drum or congas, please let the Workshops Support team know by writing teachers[at]zimfest[dot]org. Bring them to the registration area on Thursday, and you will be able to pick them up after the completion of workshops Sunday afternoon or Monday.

Enjoy the summer weather,

Festival Coordinator Claire and the Zimfest Team

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Zimfest Odds and Ends

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings Zimfest community,

Some news flashes and reminders about Zimfest 2025:

  • Off-campus Housing – Although our hoped-for group discount at the Ellensburg Red Lion did not work out, there is a possibility for 10% discounts at the more upscale Hotel Windrow in downtown Ellensburg. See the Off-campus Housing page for details.
  • Performer and teacher contracts and agreements are due to be signed by July 1, and will be subject to termination on July 10. If you are a teacher or evening performer contact person and cannot find your acceptance letter with link to the contract, please write to teachers[at]zimfest[dot]org or performers[at]zimfest[dot]org.
  • All concert performers are eligible to claim free admission to one evening (by donation) concert. Performers accepted for the evening stage may enter that night’s concert for free, and performers on the outdoor stage may choose one evening concert for which they would like to request free admission. Contact people for bands should ensure their band roster is up to date before the festival; please write to performers[at]zimfest[dot]org if you need to add performer names that did not appear in your original application. Zimfest is grateful to all performers who opt to donate for concert tickets rather than claiming free admission!
  • We are grateful to be hosting several Zimbabweans new to Zimfest this year (see Overview page). Assistance for these individuals would be appreciated. Please write to us at zimguests[at]zimfest[dot]org if anything below sounds like you could help: 
    • If you live in Seattle, help may be needed getting to CWU from Seatac airport. Or even hosting someone overnight!
    • If you arrive at Zimfest Thursday Aug 7 (or even Wednesday!) help orient a Zimbabwean teacher to the festival as you find the locations yourself for the SURC Student Union, registration, housing check-in and dorm, workshop rooms. Help them get to teachers’ meeting at 4 PM in SURC 201 (followed by Zimbabweans meeting).

Happy Solstice!
Claire and the OC Team

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Zimfest Registration is Open!

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings all,

We are so pleased to announce that registration for Zimfest 2025 is open as of midnight May 1 for Zimfest Association members, and May 3 for non-members. Non-members will pay a $15 registration fee (which is waived for paying members).

  • Go to the How to Register page on the website for complete instructions and a link to the registration system (RegFox).  There you will be able to take out a new membership or verify your existing membership number in order to register and pay for housing at our host university, tent camping, meal plans, workshops and concert tickets.
  • The Zimfest website gives information about On- and Off-Campus housing as well as Dining, Concerts, Festival events and so forth. Browse the website so that you know what you want to sign up for before registering. 
  • You can view details about workshops and teachers in the Workshops menu on our website. The Workshop Grid is now visible, a convenient look at the workshop schedule throughout the weekend.
  • Housing in the Central Washington University dorms we have been allocated is mostly in double rooms, so you may wish to take advantage of our Roommate Request Board if you have rented a room and need someone to share with. As festival time gets closer, you may wish to use the Ride Board to find someone to share gas costs with. 
  • And last, but certainly not least, be sure to sign up for one or more volunteer shifts on the Volunteer Sign-up page. Zimfest runs on volunteer energy, and we all need to pitch in!

A Big Thank You to the Tech Committee, namely Jake Roberts for setting up our registration system, Nora Holmquist for creating the teachers and workshops portal display, and Larry Israel for building and maintaining the Zimfest website. 

Best regards,
Festival Coordinator Claire

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Zimfest and Accommodation Updates

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings Zimfest community,

  • We are happy to announce that we have located a reasonably-priced hotel in Ellensburg that promises a group discount if enough Zimfest attendees stay there. The Red Lion Hotel Ellensburg is at 1700 S. Canyon Road off I-90 about 2.7 miles from the CWU Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC). If ten rooms are rented by Zimfest participants, each will receive a 10-15% discount (current undiscounted price for a room with queen bed is $105). Please call 509-925-9800 and let them know you are with Zimfest 2025. Zimfest cannot offer any troubleshooting help should you encounter any problems, but please post a comment on this blog post if you make a reservation with them. Thanks to John Hatten for the many phone calls he made to bring this opportunity to you!
  • Zimfest 2025 teacher and performer applications closed as of February 28 and the Organizing Committee is hard at work sorting through applications, making determinations about acceptances and setting up the workshop schedule. Accepted teachers can expect to hear from us in late March, and accepted performers shortly thereafter.
  • We plan to open applications for Zimfest vendors and non-profit stands by April 1, and have published the African Marketplace and Information for Vendors pages on the website. The Marketplace and outdoor stage will be located in a grassy, shaded area outside the northeast corner of the SURC.

More news coming soon!
Claire Jones, Festival Coordinator

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Zimfest 2025 Lodging and Volunteers Update

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Dear Zimfest community,

Breaking News from our host at Central Washington University: CWU Conference Services has made more dorm rooms available to us for Zimfest 2025, so that the total exceeds the usual numbers of rooms we have rented in the past. Thus, fewer people need to look for alternatives off-campus. The dorms are not air-conditioned (be prepared) but each room has a microwave and mini-fridge (yay)!

There are plenty of dry camping (tents only) spaces in a shaded area at the Kittitas Valley Event Center (aka the rodeo grounds). The walking distance from there to the dining hall in the Student Union (SURC) is approximately the same as from the dorms to the SURC.

Urgent Volunteer Need – We are still searching for a graphic artist who can use the winning design to create a Save the Date Card, Facebook banner and tee shirt design. Job description available on request; please write to volunteers[at]zimfest[dot]org if you can help.

Best regards,
Claire (Festival Coordinator) 

Music Dancing Across Borders

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Zimfest Updates

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings all,

Some Zimfest updates now that we are starting to work on the 2025 festival:

  • Good news! We have been able to secure ample space for Zimfest campers at the Kittitas Valley Event Center (Ellensburg Rodeo grounds!), within walking distance of our 2025 festival site at Central Washington University. These inexpensive dry camping (tents only) sites will help ease the need for housing given the low-ish number of campus dorm rooms allocated to us by CWU. Campers will be able to register and pre-pay for space through Zimfest registration, scheduled to open in early May.
  • We have updated the Virtual Marketplace on our website in time for the holiday shopping season. Support our Zimbabwean vendors! If you are an online vendor for Zimbabwean goods and want to be listed, please contact us at marketplace [at]zimfest[dot]org.
  • Plea for Volunteers for the Organizing Committee (OC): As you know, Zimfest depends on volunteer help. One of the most important volunteers is the person(s) who recruits and manages all those who donate their time:
    • Volunteer Coordinator(s)!  We are badly in need of someone (or ones) to step up and replace our wonderful VC from the past three years. No experience necessary, just some willingness to work and people skills!
    • Concert Production: I have only recently heard that our very efficient and experienced Concert Producers will not be available for set-up tasks before the festival this year.
    • These are both big gaps in the OC. Please write claire[at]zimfest[dot]org for more information and/or to raise your hand!

Enjoy the holiday season,

Claire J.
Zimfest Coordinator

Music Dancing Across Borders

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Announcing Zimfest 2025: August 7-10 at CWU

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Dear Zimfest community,

At long last, the ZA board and I are happy to announce the dates and location for Zimfest 2025: August 7-10, 2025, at Central Washington University (CWU) in Ellensburg, WA. Mark your calendars! Be forewarned that Zimfest has been allocated a single dorm with only 80% of the number of beds we usually require on-campus, so you may wish to look into nearby motels, Air BnB’s and campgrounds well in advance. More info on these options coming soon!

The Search

We are so sorry that it took us this long to confirm a date, having begun an exhaustive WA State venue search late last year. After contacting many institutions, we have learned that college conference organizers and the administrations that oversee them have been as disturbed by the COVID epidemic as have many other for-profit and not-for-profit entities.

  • Conference service fees are higher all around; be prepared to pay more when registering for  Zimfest 2025 and future festivals to help us balance the budget.
  • Disturbingly, at least two institutions that hosted Zimfest in the past do not want us back for reasons traceable to participant (mis)behavior. This made our search more difficult, and we remind Zimfest-goers that we owe respect and gratitude to our institutional hosts and their efforts, as well their rules (especially regarding alcohol and marijuana use!).

Volunteers Needed

Finally, we will be re-forming our Organizing Committee (OC) to begin work on Zimfest 2025, starting with teacher and performer applications to open in January. As always, we need volunteer help. Here are some needs we know of right now:

  • Volunteer Coordinator—active member of the OC, with duties leading up to and during the festival
  • Local Arrangements—does not need to meet with the OC, carries out tasks as needed in concert with Festival Coordinator
  • Grant Writing and other Fund-Raising—works independently on behalf of the ZA Board
  • Other Ongoing Volunteer Needs: see How and Why to Volunteer on the website

You can fill out the Volunteer Contact Form on the website or write directly to claire[at]zimfest[dot]org for info or to put your hand up!

Thanks for reading (apologies for the lengthy post)!
Claire Jones, Zimfest Coordinator

Music Dancing Across Borders

(PS – We limited our site research and evaluation to Washington state this year with the vision of alternating years between Oregon and Washington sites. See here if you are interested in the venues we have researched.

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Zimfest Updates – 10 Days and Counting!

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

News from the OC and our OSU hosts:

  • OSU University Housing and Dining (UHDS) has added to their housing check-in times in the McNary Hall Main Lounge to better accommodate Zimfest participants’ arrival times. Their housing check-in (and check-out) hours on Thursday Aug 3 through Sunday Aug 6 will be the same as Zimfest registration hours, spelled out in the Festival Schedule and On-campus Housing pages. Housing check-in for staff and early arrivals on Wednesday Aug 2 remains the same, as does the 9-11 AM final check-out time on Monday August 7.
  • UHDS has agreed to keep the South Entrance of McNary Hall unlocked during the hours that housing check-in and Zimfest registration are open. Enter through this door (see below) if you have not yet checked in or if you are staying elsewhere and commuting.

McNary Hall First Floor

  • All Zimfest participants should visit the Zimfest registration area in McNary Hall whether or not you signed up for housing in the dorm, to pick up your meal plan cards and pre-paid single meal cards. We will also be giving out the Festival handout and map showing the workshop locations and festival schedules.
  • Meal times in McNary Dining Center have increased to two hours apiece: Breakfast 7-9 AM; Lunch 11:00 AM – 1 PM: and Dinner 5:00–7:00 PM. See On-Campus Dining for more info.
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Announcing Zimbabwean Artists at Zimfest 2023

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Dear Zimfest community,

The Zimfest OC is excited to announce the Zimbabwean guests for 2023, including five performing and teaching artists new to Zimfest: Othnell Mangoma Moyo, Joyce Warikandwa Chihera, Mudavanhu Magaya, Innocent Musafare Mutero, and Tendayi Kusaya. Read more about them and returning friends on the Festival Overview page. Also check out planned Festival Events, including a tribute in song to the recently deceased Ambuya Stella Chiweshe among the Festival Highlights on Sunday afternoon.

We are hard at work getting registration ready to go, targeted to open on May 1 for members and May 4 for all others; the workshop schedule will be published soon. We have had unexpected news from OSU University Housing services, in that many of the rooms for rent in McNary Hall are triples. This is a mixed blessing as the triple rooms will be great for participants coming in groups, but not all the beds will be at floor level as we requested. See On-Campus Housing for room rates and configurations.

Friendly reminder to those wishing to renew Memberships: If you are a long-time member but have not paid for a membership since November 2021 (when we introduced a new membership system), you cannot renew your old membership. You must take out a new membership in the new system. If you take out or renew a membership in April, you will be able to access the registration system on May 1 before the general public.

Claire Jones, Festival Coordinator

Music Dancing Across Borders

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Zimfest News and Reminders

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Hello all,

As the COVID omicron variants cause new peaks in infections, your Zimfest Organizing Committee is crossing its collective fingers and continuing to work towards a hopeful and safe gathering in Mount Vernon WA June 24-26. Some news and reminders:

  • Beginning today, May 15th, dorm rooms at Skagit College’s Campus View Village can be reserved via Zimfest registration. Hint: if you have already registered for workshops and are in the system, it will be easier to go to the Registration Manager to make the change to your registration. If you are unsure how, see directions on How to Register.
  • We are very sorry to report that we have been unable to line up any food vendors or food trucks for the Fairgrounds and thus there will be no food on-site. We have consulted with local residents and determined that many have gone out of business during the pandemic while others committed to prime locations months ago. Check out our webpage on Dining Options in Mount Vernon. Everyone’s favorite: Skagit Valley Food Co-op for their deli and orders-to-go.
  • Attention all non-food vendors for the African Marketplace: submit your application by May 28 in order to avoid a late fee. Info and application here.
  • Registration is going well, with many signups on the first three members-only days and a steady flow of signups in the last two weeks. Several classes are already full.
  • We would love to see more people registering for the cultural presentations (half-price!), perhaps the most important topics to be addressed at the festival. Click here for Workshop Details, and search on Presentation or Other.
  • Highly recommended by the OC: “Non-Zimbabweans playing Zimbabwean Music: A Discussion of Colonialism, Racism and Responsibility” facilitated by Kelly Takunda-Orphan on Sunday at 9:30 AM. It is so important that we keep these conversations going!

Continue to keep each other safe!
Claire Jones, Zimfest Coordinator

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