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Zimbabwean Music Festival
August 7-10, 2025
Ellensburg, Washington, USA
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Home › Volunteer › Volunteer Sign-Up

Volunteer Sign-Up

The Zimbabwean Music Festival is made possible through the charitable stewardship and contributions of time of many generous volunteers. Listed here are tasks that festival attendees can sign up for during online registration, in advance of the festival. Plan ahead and make your volunteer time a valuable part of your festival experience! Address any questions you may have to .

The festival is over and the volunteer sign-up is CLOSED. This page shows the final signups before Zimfest 2025. If you are interested in volunteering over the coming months and/or helping with Zimfest 2027, please use the Volunteer Contact Form on the Why and How to Volunteer page.

Task Groups

Tasks are organized in six groups:

  • Festival Setup
  • Registration
  • Workshops
  • Marketplace
  • Concerts
  • Festival Takedown

Caution!

Please make sure you do not register for workshops (etc.) at the same time you are volunteering. Zimfest workshop registration and the volunteer sign-up are two separate systems (which don’t talk to each other) and cannot prevent you from volunteering at the same time you are enrolled in a workshop.

How to Read Times

Start and end times are shown using the 24-hour clock. 12:00 is noon. Times between 12:00 and 24:00 are p.m. 24:00 is midnight. Times greater than 24:00 are after midnight (the next day, technically). 24:30 is our shorthand for 12:30 a.m. the next day.

Hide the Shifts

Festival Setup

Signage Setup

Help Staff make and post signs around campus to help attendees navigate efficiently. Must be physically able to walk around campus. Report to the Volunteer Coordinator at the Volunteer Table in registration area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 10:00-12:00 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
Day 1 Thursday 13:00-15:00 #1: Anne Coghlan
#2: Leslie Breeden

Stage Setup

Assist with load in and set up of equipment for day stage. Report to Stage Manager at Outdoor Stage area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 12:00-18:00 #1: Manya Mutschler-Aldine
#2: Unassigned

Workshop Instrument Setup

Move instruments (mostly marimbas) from vehicles to classrooms. Must be physically able to manage large and bulky instruments. Supervised by the Lead Instrument Wrangler. Check in at the volunteer table.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 12:00-14:00 #1: Mary Beth Brown
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
#4: Unassigned
#5: Unassigned
Day 1 Thursday 14:00-16:00 #1: Emily Kane
#2: Caden Davis
#3: Betsy Sims
#4: Unassigned
#5: Unassigned

General Festival Setup

Help get tables and chairs set up wherever they are needed. Dorm lounges to be used for mbira workshops may need chairs or other setting up. Report to Volunteer Coordinator at the volunteer table in the registration area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 13:00-15:00 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned

Decorations: Concerts and Marketplace

Set up decorations and banners at Indoor and Outdoor Stages and Marketplace. Report to Volunteer Coordinator at the volunteer table in the registration area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 14:00-16:00 #1: Amy McIntosh
#2: Eliza McIntosh
#3: Randy McIntosh

Registration

Registration Desk

Welcome folks as they arrive at the registration desk! Respond to questions, issue Zimfest handouts, and direct registrants to the Volunteer Table. Must be friendly, organized and have good people skills. Most urgent needs are during the middle of the day. Report to the Registration Lead at registration desk. Note: Most shifts begin with 15 minutes of training.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 11:30-14:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 1 Thursday 13:45-16:00 #1: Larry Israel
Day 1 Thursday 15:45-18:00 #1: Julie Robinett
#2: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 08:00-10:00 #1: Sue Burden-Dickman
#2: Marilyn Mangus
Day 2 Friday 09:45-12:00 #1: Katie Kennedy
Day 2 Friday 11:45-14:00 #1: Martha Murray
Day 2 Friday 13:45-16:00 #1: Claudia Sneathen
Day 2 Friday 15:45-18:00 #1: Sally Gradin
#2: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 08:00-10:00 #1: Rick Steele
#2: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 09:45-12:00 #1: Karin Tauscher
Day 3 Saturday 11:45-14:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 13:45-16:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 15:45-18:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 11:45-15:15 #1: Unassigned

Volunteer Table

Help attendees sign up for volunteer slots and fill miscellaneous needs as they arise. Report to Volunteer Table in registration area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 12:00-15:00 #1: Susan Wickett-Ford
Day 1 Thursday 15:00-18:00 #1: Claudia Sneathen
Day 2 Friday 09:00-12:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 12:00-15:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 15:00-18:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 09:00-12:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 12:00-15:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 15:00-18:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 12:00-15:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 15:00-18:00 #1: Unassigned

Workshops

Workshop Support

Work with the Workshop Coordinator to move small instruments (mostly mbiras, drums and additional equipment) between classrooms as needed for teaching. Report to the Workshop Coordinator in the Registration area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 14:00-16:00 #1: Mary McIvor
#2: Susan Speir
Day 2 Friday 08:30-09:15 #1: Mary McIvor
#2: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 17:45-18:15 #1: Sarah Galpern
Day 3 Saturday 08:45-09:15 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 17:45-18:15 #1: Joy Dworkin
Day 4 Sunday 12:15-12:45 #1: Becca Moeller
Day 4 Sunday 15:30-17:00 #1: Ollie Green
#2: Craig Staude
#3: Unassigned

Workshop Evaluation Assistant

Thursday shift: Consult with Festival Coordinator to prepare evaluation packets and distribute to the classrooms which will be open for set-up.
Friday morning shift: Distribute prepared evaluation packets to the remaining classrooms that were not open on Thursday.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday afternoon shifts: Collect completed evaluations each day after last session, and compile as instructed. Must be able to walk around the site. Tasks are very time specific, immediately after workshops while buildings are still unlocked. Shifts are short! Please consider enrolling in both evening shifts! Report to the Festival Coordinator in Registration area for instructions; completed and compiled sheets go into box in Registration area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 1 Thursday 13:00-15:00 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 08:30-09:15 #1: Maddie Frieser
Day 2 Friday 17:30-18:00 #1: Elena Parthemer
Day 3 Saturday 17:30-18:00 #1: Suma Elan
Day 4 Sunday 15:00-15:30 #1: Elena Parthemer
Day 4 Sunday 17:30-18:00 #1: Unassigned

Marketplace

Marketplace Daily Setup / Takedown

Help set up or take down the Marketplace as directed by Marketplace Coordinator. Includes helping to get materials to and from storage, as needed. Report to Marketplace Coordinator near Zimfest Booth in the Marketplace.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 2 Friday 08:30-10:30 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 17:00-18:00 #1: Clay Rogers
#2: Heron Calalang-LaCroix
Day 3 Saturday 09:00-10:00 #1: Joy Dworkin
#2: Kate Treat
Day 3 Saturday 17:00-18:00 #1: Astrid Hansen
#2: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 11:30-12:00 #1: Joy Dworkin
#2: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 17:00-18:00 #1: Maggie Donahue
#2: William Collinge

Marketplace Zimfest Booth

Sell Zimfest t-shirts and posters at the Zimfest Booth. An accounting sheet must be kept detailing all sales and money received. Money will be kept secured at all times. Report to the Zimfest Booth Manager at the Zimfest Booth in the Marketplace. First shift to assist daily booth setup.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 2 Friday 09:30-12:00 #1: Leo Parsons
#2: Ren Higgs
Day 2 Friday 12:00-14:00 #1: Claudia Sneathen
#2: Maren Amberg
Day 2 Friday 14:00-15:30 #1: Adam Halpin
#2: Annika Genthe
Day 2 Friday 15:30-17:30 #1: Lisa Nicholson
#2: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 09:30-12:00 #1: Julia Nelson
#2: Celia Frankenheimer
Day 3 Saturday 12:00-14:00 #1: Toni Corrigan
#2: Robert Corrigan
Day 3 Saturday 14:00-15:30 #1: Craig Staude
#2: WANDA WALKER
Day 3 Saturday 15:30-17:30 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 11:30-14:00 #1: Claire O’Quinn
#2: Raven Swing
Day 4 Sunday 14:00-15:30 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 15:30-17:30 #1: Audrey Neubauer
#2: Lynn Wyckoff

Concerts

Afternoon Stagehand

Assist Afternoon Stage Manager with setup and breakdown tasks, including moving instruments (mostly marimbas) to and from afternoon stage. Moving can be to and from vehicles, possibly classrooms — others doing this will be performers. Report to Afternoon Stage Manager at the outdoor stage.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 2 Friday 10:00-12:00 #1: Heron Calalang-LaCroix
Day 2 Friday 12:00-15:00 #1: Sam Mutschler-Aldine
Day 2 Friday 15:00-17:30 #1: Karin Tauscher
Day 3 Saturday 10:00-12:00 #1: Charlie Keziah
Day 3 Saturday 12:00-15:00 #1: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 15:00-17:30 #1: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 10:00-12:00 #1: Emily Kane
Day 4 Sunday 12:00-15:00 #1: Emily Kane
Day 4 Sunday 15:00-17:30 #1: Unassigned

Evening Stagehand

Move instruments to the back of the stage before the evening concert. Also move instruments between sets during the evening concert, and move instruments back to vehicles, classrooms or backstage as directed after the concert is over. Report to the Concert Production Manager.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 2 Friday 17:00-18:30 #1: Joy Dworkin
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 18:30-22:45 #1: Karen Schraven
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
Day 2 Friday 22:45-23:30 #1: Ted Wright
#2: Karen Schraven
#3: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 17:00-18:30 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 18:30-22:45 #1: David Simon
#2: Karen Schraven
#3: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 22:45-23:30 #1: Parker Ediger
#2: Ted Wright
#3: Manya Mutschler-Aldine
Day 4 Sunday 17:00-18:30 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 18:30-22:45 #1: Janis Weeks
#2: Bill Roberts
#3: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 22:45-23:30 #1: Ted Wright
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned

Evening Concert Door and Ticket Sales

Collect all tickets from people going into the evening concerts, and collect donations for tickets to those who do not have them. An accounting sheet must be kept showing all tickets sold. Money will be kept in the cash box and secured at all times. Payment via PayPal, Venmo or debit/credit card will also be offered. Check rosters of performers for free entry and return rosters to Concert Coordinator. Report to the House Manager (a ZA Board member) at the entrance to the concert hall. All merchandise sales are the responsibility of performers, not Zimfest staff.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 2 Friday 19:00-20:30 #1: Elena Parthemer
#2: Mary McIvor
Day 2 Friday 20:30-22:00 #1: Payton James-Amberg
#2: Unassigned
Day 3 Saturday 19:00-20:30 #1: William Collinge
#2: Maggie donahue
Day 3 Saturday 20:30-22:00 #1: Emily Kane
#2: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 19:00-20:30 #1: Maren Amberg
#2: Caleb Donahue
Day 4 Sunday 20:30-22:00 #1: Elena Parthemer
#2: Unassigned

Festival Takedown

Workshop Instrument Takedown

Move instruments (mostly marimbas) from classrooms into vehicles. Must be physically able to manage large and bulky instruments. Supervised by the Lead Instrument Wrangler. Check in at volunteer table.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 4 Sunday 15:00-16:30 #1: Sarah Allan
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
#4: Unassigned
#5: Unassigned
Day 4 Sunday 17:30-19:00 #1: Jeanne Rynne
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
#4: Unassigned
#5: Unassigned
Day 5 Monday 09:00-11:00 #1: Heather Ward
#2: Ashley Ward
#3: Rainey Riffle

Marketplace Decoration Takedown

Take down the decorative banners from the Marketplace when it closes on Sunday afternoon. Report to the Marketplace Coordinator at Zimfest Booth.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 4 Sunday 17:00-18:00 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned

Marketplace Takedown

Assist Marketplace Coordinator to retrieve all tables and chairs from the marketplace and move them where designated by Concert Producer. Report to the Marketplace Coordinator at the Zimfest Booth.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 4 Sunday 17:30-18:30 #1: Ren Higgs
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned

Concert Decoration Takedown

Take down decorations and banners at Indoor Stage. Report to the Concert Producer in stage area.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 4 Sunday 23:30-24:30 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned

General Festival Cleanup & Signage Takedown

Sunday shifts: Help with cleanup and dismantling after registration closes and workshops end. Move any requested chairs out of the dorm lounges used for mbira workshops. Report to Volunteer Coordinator at the volunteer table.

Monday shifts: Help with cleanup or dismantling after the festival ends, including removing directional signage and posters from around campus. Report to the Volunteer Coordinator at the volunteer table.

Day, Start and End Times Name
Day 4 Sunday 16:00-18:00 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
Day 5 Monday 09:00-11:00 #1: Unassigned
#2: Unassigned
#3: Unassigned
#4: Unassigned
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