Zimfest 2025 performer applications are scheduled to open January 2 and close February 28, 2025.
Online Application Process Review
- If you would like to perform at Zimfest 2025, please read this information before completing your application.
- Then complete and submit your performer application. Any applications accepted after February 28, 2025 will either be wait-listed or denied outright.
- You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received.
- We will notify you in late March with our decision about which applicants will be invited to perform. Proposed performance times will be sent to all selected performers before online registration opens.
Questions
If you have questions, please write .
Compensation
Zimfest pays performers at the ticketed evening concerts a modest fee or honorarium. In addition, all performers in bands accepted by Zimfest are eligible to claim free admission to one evening (ticketed) concert. Performers accepted for the evening stage may enter that night’s concert for free, and performers on the outdoor (non-ticketed) 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 to ensure complementary admission for performers. Zimfest is grateful to all performers who opt to donate by paying for concert tickets rather than claiming free admission.
Travel reimbursements—if any—will be limited. If possible, we will provide a small travel stipend to bands traveling within the US. Any travel stipends will be announced within 30 days of the end of the festival but should not be budgeted for.
Visa Information
Zimfest welcomes Zimbabweans and other individuals who are not US citizens to teach and perform, but under US visa regulations, all non-US citizens will require a working visa to teach and perform at the festival. Non-US citizens holding a B-1 visa cannot be paid for performances, nor can they appear in any concert for which admission is charged; some concerts may be on a “by donation” basis to allow participation of all. Be advised that Zimfest does not sponsor visas. To obtain a US performance visa (visa type P, O, Q, and a few others), a US citizen, agent or nonprofit organization must apply for these visas on your behalf. The information we have received about applications for performances visas is that the US Immigration service is severely short-handed and delaying actions on applications for months. Therefore, we do not recommend applying for these types of visas in 2025 unless you already have an application in process. You cannot apply for these visas yourself. For additional information, visit the Applicant Information page. If you have questions, please contact the Zimfest Guest Coordinator at .
