The Zimfest Board and I are pleased to announce the dates and location for next year’s festival. Zimfest 2016 will return to the campus of Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR. The dates of the festival will be August 11-14, 2016.
The feedback we have received from Zimfest 2015 participants has been positive about this site, and we look forward to focusing our collective energies on improving the festival rather than starting over in a new location. As 2015 participants are aware, the town of Monmouth is in the heart of the beautiful Willamette Valley, wine country, with easy access to the Oregon coast.
I am recruiting volunteers now to form an organizing committee! If you would like to be involved in planning and organizing Zimfest 2016 in any way, shape or form, please e-mail me: claire-at-zimfest-dot-org. Feel free to ask about opportunities large and small to help out before and/or during the festival.
Festival volunteers needed: Please log on to online registration to choose a volunteer task and time. Shifts are still available in every area — registration, concerts, workshops & marketplace. Go to: https://zimfest.org/volunteer/list/ (the program will not allow you to double-book workshops and volunteer shifts).
Housing registration closes July 28: Tuesday is the last day you can pre-register for on-campus housing, camping and meals. Go to: https://zimfest.org/location/housing/ for information on WOU housing.
Low enrollment workshops: We have had to cancel some workshops with low enrollment now to help ensure the best possible enrollment in the remaining workshops. If you have been thinking of taking a class that might be on the cusp, sign up now! Online registration for workshops will close on August 6.
Concert schedules are online at https://zimfest.org/overview/concerts/
Zimfest 2015 Organizing Committee
Enduring Rhythms ~ Gathering in Harmony
Our Volunteer Sign-up page has now been integrated into the new website and is live! If you have already registered for Zimfest and were unable to sign up to volunteer, you may now log in, browse the volunteer tasks and sign up for shifts at https://zimfest.org/volunteer/list/. Further information is available at https://zimfest.org/vol/why-and-how-to-sign-up/.
The Workshop Coordinators have also added some new workshops as many of our marimba classes have filled up. Please check the workshop changes page at https://zimfest.org/news/festival-updates/#workshop-changes for new offerings.
Thank you for pitching in to help. Volunteers make our festival go!
Enduring Rhythms ~ Gathering in Harmony
It’s time to submit your Zimfest 2015 applications online! Teacher and performer applications are available now at https://2015.zimfest.org. The due date for applications is March 15, 2015.
Please be advised that we are using Google accounts for login this year; When you log in, you will be prompted to sign in using a Google account, and we recommend that you use a Gmail account if you already have one. Alternatively, you may register a Google account for an email address of your choice (including third-party providers such as Yahoo) by following these directions: https://accounts.google.com/SignUp.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2015 Zimbabwean Music Festival August 13-16th at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR. The theme for this year’s festival is “Enduring Rhythms ~ Gathering in Harmony.”
If you are artistically inclined, there is still time to submit designs and artwork to be used on Zimfest promotional material. For more info, see our previous blog post Zimfest 2015 Theme and Call for Artwork Submissions.
Please remember that the festival needs your volunteer help! If you are interested in volunteering, please write
Best regards on behalf of the 2015 Organizing Committee,
Claire Jones
2015 Zimfest Coordinator
The Zimfest Association Board and I recently made the announcement that the 2015 Zimbabwean Music Festival will be held at Western Oregon University in Monmouth OR, August 13-16, 2015. I am happy to say that the Tech Committee has been working hard to improve the website and online registration system; we are targeting mid-January for online applications to open on the festival website at https://2015.zimfest.org. There is much to do before that date, and I have been recruiting team members to work on the Zimfest Organizing Committee for the past month. It really does take a village—we are in desperate need of people who can give up some time and energy to make the next Zimfest a great one! Helping out with the annual festival is a great way to give back for all the joy and enrichment you have experienced through this wonderful music.
What You Can Do To Help
If you have the time and commitment, volunteer for the core organizing committee, members of which meet regularly via skype and take responsibility for major areas of the festival: Teacher and Workshop Scheduling, Concert planning and production, Marketplace and Vendors Coordination, Volunteer Coordinator.
If you have small chunks of time, there are many other tasks that you can do leading up to (as well as at) the festival: publicity and marketing; festival guide article and ad solicitation, proofreading, editing and production; website content proofing and updating; T-shirt production and sales; airport pickups/drop-offs.
If you are a group that would like to work on a project together, I envision several opportunities: work party to put together registration packets; festival decorations; festival signage; festival site cleanup crew.
Please let me know if and how you can help: e-mail claire [at] zimfest {dot} org
Claire Jones
Zimfest Coordinator
The Zimfest Board and I are pleased to announce the dates and location for next year’s festival. Zimfest 2015 will be held August 13-16, 2015 at Western Oregon University. WOU is a campus of about 6,000 located in Monmouth, OR, 20 minutes west of the capital, Salem. We are happy to return the festival to Oregon, in a location that is nearly equidistant from Portland and Eugene—an easy 75 minute drive from either city. Monmouth is in the heart of the beautiful Willamette Valley, wine country, with easy access to the Oregon coast.
The Grove at WOU, Potential Zimfest Marketplace Site
We realize that we are somewhat late in announcing these dates to you, and want to let you know that we have been researching potential Zimfest sites not only for 2015 but for future festivals as well. It has become more and more difficult to find the facilities we require for a full festival at affordable rates and desirable dates. For this reason the need to settle on one or more semi-permanent sites has become more urgent. We are hoping Western Oregon University might work for our community as a home. As always, we ask for your feedback.
I am also late to form an organizing committee! If you would like to be involved in planning and organizing Zimfest 2015 in any way or form, please e-mail me: claire-at-zimfest-dot-org.
My name is Elisha and I am your volunteer coordinator for this year’s Zimfest! I am also a member of Anzanga Marimba. Most importantly I’m writing to urge you to volunteer if you are planning to come to Zimfest 2014. This year we are actively trying to cultivate a culture of volunteering and give back to our volunteers who give so much to the festival. Come see what is in store for you—the amount we give back to you directly affects how good we are able to make the festival.
Volunteering not only helps Zimfest run smoothly but it also makes the festival your own. It’s a great way to rub shoulders with many of the musicians you see performing on stage and get to know them as well. Meet other members of the community who love this music too and make new friends! We are all coming together from many parts of the world. I can’t think of a greater way to foster a sense of community than to add volunteering as part of your festival experience.
Volunteer shifts run from Wednesday July 23-Monday July 28th and are as short as 1-2 hours of your time. We have something that will suit every need and desire. If you want to be creative come and help decorate for the festival. Or if you are looking to get in a little exercise come help move marimbas! Spend an hour while listening at the afternoon concert or evening concert and help staff the green tent or Zimfest booth/table. If you are unsure what you want to do drop us a line at and we will help you find a shift that works for you.
Pambile nga Masiko! Forward with the Past! Pamberi neChinyakare!
—Zimfest 2014 Organizing Committee
Happy New Year everyone! It’s 2014 and time to submit your Zimfest teacher and performer applications. All applications are available online at http://2014.zimfest.org.
Please mark your calendars for the 2014 Zimbabwean Music Festival July 24-27th at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA.
Thursday July 24th is Zimfest Pre-Fest with the opportunity to schedule private lessons during the day and the opening ceremony in the evening. On Friday the schedule starts in earnest with three days of workshops, afternoon and evening concerts and the African marketplace.
Please remember that the festival needs your volunteer help! If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteers [at] zimfest {dot} org.
Best regards on behalf of the 2014 Organizing Committee,
Claire Jones
2014 Zimfest Coordinator
I’m excited to be named the Festival Coordinator for the next Zimbabwean Music Festival (July 24-27, 2014), and I think you will enjoy the lovely campus of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma! In consultation with Cosmas Magaya and Lucky Moyo, we have agreed on a theme for Zimfest 2014, inspired by a saying in chiShona from Ambuya Beauler Dyoko: Pamberi neChinyakare—meaning Forward with the Past/Tradition or Pambili nga Masiko (siNdebele). Sekuru Cosmas says the theme is perfect because we need to counter the attack on traditional practices from some of the Apostolic/Pentecostal Churches in Zimbabwe; Lucky agrees that it is a great statement and likes that it connects us with Ambuya.
We have set the date of January 15, 2014 for online applications to open on the festival website at https://2014.zimfest.org. There is much to do before that date, and I am now recruiting team members to work on festival organizing. Helping out with the annual Zimfest gathering is a great way to give back for all the joy and enrichment you have experienced through this wonderful music
What You Can Do To Help
If you have the time and commitment, volunteer for the core organizing committee, members of which meet regularly via skype and take responsibility for major areas of the festival: Teacher and Workshop Scheduling, Concert planning and production, Marketplace and Vendors Coordination, Volunteer Coordinator.
If you have small chunks of time, there are many other tasks that you can do leading up to (as well as at) the festival: publicity and marketing; festival guide article solicitation, proofreading, editing and production; website content proofing and updating; T-shirt production and sales; airport pickups/drop-offs.
If you are a group that would like to work on a project together, I envision several opportunities: work party to put together registration packets; festival decorations; festival signage; festival site cleanup crew.
Please let me know if and how you can help: e-mail claire [at] zimfest {dot} org
Pamberi neChinyakare – Forward with the Past – Pambili nga Masiko
Have you always wanted to help with Zimfest but don’t have time to join the Zimfest board or be part of an organizing committee? Join me in becoming one of a large group of short-term project volunteers who would be available to help future event planning in a different and creative way. Choose your project! Match your skills and ideas! Have fun! Build the community! Build your resume! Work with others, work by yourself, two hours, one month, etc – your choice. The Zimfest Board has come up with a list of ideas below, or create your own!
Just send an email to za-volunteers [at] zimfest {dot} org if you would like to be part of this valuable team. Let me know your interest and ideas and I’ll help you with your project now or in the future.
Lisa McKerlick
2011 Zimfest Organizing Committee member
Zimfest Association Volunteer Topics (and examples of tasks)
Membership
Newsletter(s) content and editing
Sending renewal notices
Fund Raising
Annual Campaign for donations and contributions
Researching funding sources
Grant writing
Speaker to present on Zimfest at donor events?
Fund-raising events?
Zimfest brochure?
Zimfest Sites
Identification
Site visits
Liaison w/ site officials?
Zimbabwean Visas
Applications
Collecting supporting documentation
Zimbabwean Visitors
Currently this role is assigned to an OC member, but it would be good to have year round communication and assistance for potential visitors
Website
Overhaul!
Design
Content
Festival Decorations
Update what we have
Fireproofing
New stuff
Storage in between festivals
Special Assignments
Work on special one-time-only projects administered by ZA Board – tbd
Technical Needs
More expertise for the Tech committee
Continue to improve online registration system
Festival Marketing
Targeted marketing (i.e. african student unions, college multicultural centers, etc)
Promotion within community where Zimfest is being held
Dear Zimfest Association Membership and Participants:
We hope that this communication finds you well. It’s been a few months since the amazing Zimfest in Tacoma! Since then the board has been working hard to begin planning Zimfest 2014. We have finally set a location and date for Zimfest 2014 – which will be held at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA from July 24-27th. We will send out more information with details in the next month or two.
In the meantime, we’d like to make you aware of several important items:
1) We’ve decided to setup a blog which will be used by the board to communicate with Zimfest membership. The blog is at zimfest.wordpress.com. You will be able to subscribe to the blog by clicking on the link on the right-hand sidebar. Once subscribed, you will receive an e-mail whenever we post to the blog. Among other things, we will be posting regular synopses of Zimfest board meetings on this site which can be reviewed by anyone interested. In addition, we are hoping that this blog will become a mechanism for members to provide regular feedback to the board.
2) We hope to access the skills and talents of the community through a more vibrant volunteer coordination mechanism. Please keep your eyes out for an email from our new Zimfest Association Volunteer coordinator, Lisa McKerlick, with more details on how this will work and the type of assistance that we’re seeking.
3) We are pleased to announce that Claire Jones has accepted the position of Zimfest coordinator for 2014. This is a part-time, paid position in which Claire will be the point-person for Zimfest 2014. In addition to coordinating and heading the organizing committee, Claire will be working to raise grant monies and spearhead an annual giving campaign to help make Zimfest more sustainable.
4) With the recent resignation of MyLinda King from the board for personal reasons, there are now 6 active board members as listed below.
Tsitsi Hantuba – Treasurer
Jennifer Kyker-Bangoura – Member at Large
Paul Mataruse – Member at Large
Amy Robinson – Secretary
David Simon – President
Alex Weeks – Member at Large
Ideally, we would like to recruit 1-2 additional board members over the coming month or two. If you are interested in joining the board, please send a letter expressing your interest to the board at . Alternatively, if you are aware of individuals who you believe might have the skills and interest in joining the board, please let us know at .
5) We would like to grow our Zimfest Association membership to accurately reflect the number of people/families that enjoy Zimfest year after year. Starting in 2014, annual memberships should be renewed at the start of the calendar year. We are planning to conduct the membership drive and the above mentioned annual giving campaign at the same time early in the year. An active membership will still entitle you to waive any registration fees for that year’s Zimfest. If you renewed your membership after Zimfest 2013 your term will automatically run from Jan. 2014 to Dec. 31st 2014. Please mark your calendars to join or renew your ZA membership in January. You can do this online at www.zimfest.org/membership (make sure you scroll all the way down). If you have questions please contact MyLinda King at .
We look forward to a vibrant dialog between the board and the Zimfest community. We hope that this email finds you all well.
This blog is the main news channel for the Zimbabwean Music Festival (aka Zimfest). The Zimfest organizing committee posts updates on the annual festival, and the Zimfest Association board provides meeting minutes and other info. We hope this blog becomes a mechanism for a rich dialog with Zimfest participants. Subscribe to receive blog posts via email.
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