Image by suttonhoo via FlickrI'm getting excited about the Zimbabwean Music Festival, aka Zimfest, which takes place in Olympia, Washington, August 24-26. The festival is hosted at the beautiful wooded campus of South Puget Sound Community College, and the evening concerts are in the Minnaert Center for the Performing Arts, a wonderful new performance facility that also hosts the World Sacred Music Festival.This schedule is tentative, according to the website, but it gives some idea of the artists who will be performing at the festival. I've heard whispers that the lineup might also include Stella Chiweshe, though no official confirmation of that yet. A heap of workshops are also offered. So if you're into African -- specifically Zimbabwean -- music, get this on your calendar!
Friday Afternoon ConcertOutdoor Stage, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm | ||
| Performer | Type | From |
| Njiva Marimba | Youth Marimba | Victoria BC |
| Zambuko | Marimba | Eugene OR |
| Jenaguru | Marimba | Eugene OR |
| Chigwaya Marimba | Youth Marimba | Hood River WA |
| Joel Laviolette | Matepe Mbira | Austin TX |
| Armando Ortega | Guitar | Albuquerque NM |
| Njuzu Mbira | Mbira | Portland OR |
| Rutendo Marimba | Youth Marimba | Ashland OR |
Friday Evening ConcertMain Theater, Center for the Arts, 7:00 pm – Midnight | ||
| Mukana Marimba | Marimba | Olympia WA |
| Savara Jena | Mbira | Santa Cruz CA |
| Anzanga Marimba Ensemble | Marimba | Seattle WA |
| Mahonyera Mbira Ensemble | Mbira | Seattle WA |
| Tendai Muparutsa and Chiroto Marimba Ensemble | Marimba | Moscow ID |
| Kudana Marimba | Marimba | Eugene OR |
Saturday Afternoon ConcertOutdoor Stage, 11:00 am – 5:30 pm | ||
| Green Acres Elementary | Youth Marimba | Spokane WA |
| Sweet Pumpkin Marimba | Marimba | Bellingham WA |
| Tumbuka Marimba | Marimba | Seattle WA |
| Shungu Marimba | Marimba | Boulder CO |
| Juba Marimba | Marimba | Bellingham WA |
| Kunzwana Marimba | Marimba | Seattle WA |
| Shumba Marimba | Youth Marimba | Seattle WA |
Saturday Evening ConcertMain Theater, Center for the Arts, 7:00 pm – Midnight | ||
| Sukutai Dance and Drum | Dance and Drum | Seattle WA |
| Lucky Moyo and Friends | Vocals and Dance | UK |
| Boka Marimba | Marimba | Portland OR |
| Vakasara Mbira with Pachi Pamwe | Mbira | Eugene OR |
| Ruzivo Marimba and Mbira | Marimba and Mbira | Seattle WA |
| Jambanja Marimba | Marimba | Victoria BC |
Sunday Afternoon ConcertOutdoor Stage, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm | ||
| Rhythm on the Rocks | Youth Marimba | Friday Harbor WA |
| Kambuya Marimba | Marimba | New York NY |
| Yesango Marimba | Marimba | Port Townsend WA |
| Marimba Pride | Youth Marimba | Seattle WA |
| Break for Village Meeting 2:00–3:30 | ||
| Sahlee Mbira | Mbira | Seattle WA |
| Mhuri Marimba with Sheasby Matiure | Marimba | Bellingham WA |
Sunday Evening ConcertMain Theater, Center for the Arts, 7:00 pm – Midnight | ||
| Hokoyo | Youth Marimba | Eugene OR |
| Fafi aka 3% | DJ | New York NY |
| Erica Azim and Friends | Mbira | Berkeley CA |
| Nyamuziwa Marimba | Marimba | Seattle WA |
| Bongo Love | Marimba and Mbira | Zimbabwe |
| Cosmas Magaya and Beauler Dyoko | Mbira | Zimbabwe |
