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Posts Tagged "Zimfest registration"

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 — 2 Comments ↓

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 News and Workshop Changes

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Dear all,

We are happy to announce that all the Zimbabweans traveling to Zimfest from Africa have had their visas approved! Not everyone has gotten their passport back with the visa in it yet, so travel plans are still on hold for some.

  • As registration has continued to go well, we have made some adjustments to the workshop schedule. We have increased maximum enrollments for some that were full or nearly so, and added three new workshops, two of which are repeats of popular ones. See the Workshop Changes webpage for specific changes. If you have already registered and want to take advantage of some of the changes, consult Making Changes to your Registration on the How to Register page.
  • We are starting to advertise Zimfest 2025 in the Ellensburg area, and there is interest in this town that is new to Zimbabwean music and dance! We have made sure there are spaces in beginner and introductory workshops for people new to the festival.
  • We are heartened to see that Volunteer signups are ongoing. The Volunteer coordinators wish to remind you to keep track of what you have signed up to do, and during the festival, show up at the designated place on time (no-shows were a problem in 2023)! If you haven’t yet signed up for one or more volunteer shifts, please consider these specific needs: festival set-up and decorations on Thursday; and take down and clean-up Sunday and Monday.
  • Applications for Marketplace Vendors are going slowly. We know there are more of you out there – please do not wait until the last minute (applications will close July 17)!

Enjoy the summer weather!
Zimfest Coordinator Claire Jones

Zimfest 2023 photo by Rob Saecker

You can view this and other photos in the Zimfest 2023 slideshow from most webpages with a sidebar.

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Zimfest Registration Updates

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings all,

The Zimfest organizers have been gratified to see the large numbers of registration and new memberships rolling in – we are looking forward to a large and joyous gathering at CWU this summer! Some updates:

  • We see from a glance at the Workshop grid that many workshops are already full, and a large number of them are marimba workshops! We will be evaluating in the coming days and weeks how we might add workshops, or increase enrollment in some, but in the meanwhile, please explore ALL our workshop offerings. If you have only taken marimba workshops in the past, consider a beginning workshop in hosho, drumming, or different types of mbira. You need NO experience to participate in song, or dance workshops!
  • We encourage everyone, no matter what type of instrument you have been learning, to sign up for a Cultural Presentation in order to deepen your knowledge of Zimbabwean culture and traditions. Zimfest considers these so important that we charge less for them! We have compiled a list of presentations and instruments new to Zimfest 2025 here. 
  • We regret to inform you that one of our long-awaited Zimbabwean guest teachers, Innocent Musafare Mutero, has been denied his visa in South Africa and will be unable to come to Zimfest. We have been working hard to replace his workshops, all intermediate marimba classes. If you were enrolled in one or more of his workshops, you should have received a message informing you of what to do in order to remain in the replacement workshop. Although most of his workshops were full, the replacement teachers have all agreed to allow a higher number of students, so there are currently openings in these workshops. A summary of the workshop changes can be found here. 

Happy hunting!
Festival Coordinator Claire

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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 Workshop Schedule Published

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings Zimfest-ers,

Announcing the publication of the Zimfest 2025 teachers and workshops schedule!
We have been delayed by technical glitches, and you will see that photos of the teachers are not all accessible yet, nor is there a convenient view of the workshop grid. There is however, a complete list of all workshops sortable by session, teacher, topic and skill level, all thanks to our tech whiz Nora H.! Expect a viewable grid within the next few days, as well as Directions on How to Register, and the proposed Concert Schedule!

Those who want to ensure they get into the workshops of their choosing may wish to check that they have paid for Zimfest memberships in order to waive the registration fee and have registration open to them two days before it opens for non-members. Hint: it will speed things up to have your membership number handy!

We are still aspiring to open registration for Zimfest members on May 1.

Happy spring,
Claire (Zimfest Coordinator)

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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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Zimfest Deadlines and Check-ins

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Hi Zimfest-goers,

Some deadline dates and pointers as festival time approaches:

  • July 18 – Tuesday – is the last day to register for housing (including RV permits) and meals. Click the links for info on on-campus housing and meals.
  • July 18 is also the last date for vendor applications. Be aware that there is a fee for late applications, and we cannot guarantee that latecomers will be provided with tables or chairs as we are renting them from a third party this year.
  • On July 23, workshops with less than minimum enrollment will be canceled. (The minimum is two for mbira workshops; three for all others.) If you have a credit for a previously-canceled workshop, or just haven’t gotten around to deciding what to sign up for, check the workshop list. Support your favorite teacher by signing up for a low enrollment workshop before the 23rd and keep it from being canceled!
  • July 25 – Online workshop registration and volunteer signups close at 11 PM. No changes until August 3rd onsite at the festival.
  • Housing check-in at McNary Hall: Please note the times listed for checking-in for dorm rooms. Zimfest staff is aware that it is difficult for people taking public transit to time their arrival during these windows of time. If you cannot make it during the listed times, UHDS is insistent that you phone this staff on-call duty phone  541-243-2617 when you arrive. I am sorry to have written on the website that other arrangements could be made, but we will continue to try to work with them.

A final tip for renters of dorm rooms – bring a fan!

Claire and the OC

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Zimfest Registration Update

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Dear Zimfest community, some updates for you:

  • Registration for Zimfest workshops is going briskly, and a number of workshops have filled up. The Teachers and Workshops team will be taking a look next week to adjust and possibly add to the schedule of offerings.
  • On the other hand, all performers and teachers have been sent their official letters of acceptance and contract agreements, yet very few have been signed and returned. If you are a teacher or band contact person, please check your spam and junk folders for these important notices from Zimfest and respond asap!
  • For those who are asking whether workshop groups may go outside (rather than stay inside with masks on), we have now received confirmation that there is adequate space outside Community Hall, so singing classes in that building may go outside if the teacher and students wish. Mbira workshop groups may go outside as well, and hosho classes will meet at registration and then go outside.
  • We are happy to report that all our invited Zimbabwean guests resident in Zimbabwe now have their appointments for visa interviews, which has been a major hurdle this year. Send good vibes (play mbira for them!) so that they all get approved!
  • We have a need for a job that does not appear in the volunteer signup list. If you are experienced in desktop publishing or page layout and are available in July to help put together the Festival Handout (sorry, no Festival Guide this year), please contact claire{at}zimfest{dot}org.
  • The Volunteer Coordinators have been pleased to see a steady flow of people signing up for volunteer tasks–keep ’em coming as there are still many jobs to be filled. 

Many thanks, enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend!
Claire and the 2023 OC

 

  Music Dancing Across Borders

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Zimfest Registration Notes

Posted on by Claire Jones Posted in Festival News

Greetings Zimfesters,

The OC worked hard to get Zimfest Registration open at midnight May 1 as advertised! Those of us up late saw many new members registering for their preferred rooms and workshops. We have a few additional pointers for you:

  • Once you have registered as directed and received your invoice/verification, you will notice it lists all concert prices whether or not you purchased concert tickets. Not to worry, it doesn’t mean you have been charged for tickets you didn’t buy, it is just a quirk of the registration system.
  • If you have registered and would like to change or add to it,  you will need to go to the Registration Manager and claim your account. See detailed instructions under Making Changes to Your Registration on the How to Register page. Be forewarned that there will be short wait times after logging in and after selecting a registrant to view or to edit.
  • We have now published the concert schedule as it currently exists, to help you plan your days between workshops and hanging out at the Outdoor Stage and Marketplace area.
  • And don’t forget to sign up for volunteer shifts once you know your schedule! Volunteers make Zimfest go!

Happy May Day,
Zimfest Coordinator Claire

Music Dancing Across Borders

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Zimfest 2023 Registration Opens Soon

Posted on by Larry Israel Posted in Festival News

Are you ready to register for Zimfest!? Go to the website to Meet the Zimbabweans, meet the Workshop Teachers, browse all 79 workshops on the Workshop Schedule, learn How to Register, and much more.

Registration is due to open late Sunday night at midnight (when the date turns May 1st, Pacific Time) for ZA members, and on May 4th for everyone. Why not join, renew, verify your membership, or get your membership number.

A team of dedicated volunteers, the Zimfest Organizing Committee has been working very hard for the past few months preparing an amazing festival, August 3-6 at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

The Roommate Request Board is a new feature on the website this year (similar to the ride board). Because most dorm rooms are doubles and triples, you may want to find a roommate, to save money on housing.

You can always get the latest news by going to the Zimfest Home Page (in the white box in the middle).

Larry Israel
Zimfest website maintainer

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