Oregon State University Acknowledgements
The Zimfest Association is grateful to the OSU School of Visual, Performing and Design Arts (SVPDA), whose agreement to sponsor the Zimfest 2023 enabled us to bring a number of Zimbabweans on B1 visas and pay them teaching and performing honoraria. Special thanks to SVPDA profs Steven Zielke and Peter Swendsen who made the sponsorship happen and cleared the way for Zimfest to use classrooms in the Music Building, Community Hall. We also wish to thank the OSU Africa Initiative and University of Oregon African Studies groups for their moral support. None of it would have happened without the assistance (and obstacle-clearing) of OSU Events Coordinator Shelly Signs at every step of the way. Thank you, Shelly!
Core Contributors – OC and Others
| Claire Jones | Festival Coordinator |
| Nora Holmquist | Workshops/Teacher Coordinator |
| Mandy Walker-LaFollette | Registration Lead |
| Jim Levine, Parker Ediger | Concerts Team |
| Evelyn Keller, Lynn Wyckoff | Volunteer Coordinators |
| Mark Keller | Zimbabwean Guests Coordinator |
| Lisa Carlson | Marketplace Coordinator |
| Chris Halaska | Concert Producer |
| Mark Swift | Assistant Teachers and Workshops Coordinator |
| Larry Israel | Webmaster; Tech Team member |
The Zimfest 2023 Organizing Committee
Top row (left to right): Nora Holmquist, Mandy Walker-LaFollette, Claire Jones, Lynn Wyckoff
Middle row: Mark Swift, Jim Levine, Evelyn Keller, Mark Keller, Lisa Carlson
Bottom row: Parker Ediger, Kyra Skaggs
Support Team and Onsite Volunteers
| Jake Roberts | Registration Asst.; Tech Team Chair |
| Gary Spalter | Financial Manager |
| Lisa Nicholson | Tee Shirt Orderer |
| MyLinda King, Erin Ely | Zim Guest Hosting |
| Gretel Baumgartner | Local Arrangements |
| Penny Martindale | Graphics |
| Felix Halaska | Concert Assistant |
| Elisha Bobrosky | Green Room Queen |
| Marilyn Mohr | Hospitality (Claire’s Cafe) |
| Kyra Skaggs | Zimfest Booth Manager |
| Craig LaFollette | Provision of mallets and hosho |
| Lucas Earl | Marimba Wrangler; Super Volunteer |
| Rob Saecker | Photography |
| Blessing Bled Chimanga | Videography |
Tatenda! Siyabonga! Remote helpers included proofreaders Betty Weiss; Wanda Walker and Petra Siemion; Jaiaen Beck/layout editor and Amber Carlson/publicity and PR. Our Jam Facilitators and Green Room volunteers contributed to a warm and inclusive atmosphere: Daniel Lockley, Napoleon Jambwa, Lucas Earl, Eli Calalang-LaCroix, Dara and V Robson. Denis Stillwagon provided signage expertise just when it was needed! Other super volunteers were Adrienne Stewart and Rachel Hanson. Gracias to marimba and drum providers Dana Moffett, Paul and Peter Hayes, Margie Smith, Jaiaen Beck, Tim Blok and big big thanks to Heather Ward and Musha Marimba for use of their instruments! Many others, too numerous to name, pitched in onsite to help the festival run smoothly. We thank them all! If you are interested in being involved in organizing or running Zimfest, contact or the Zimfest Association Board at .
