Mavambo Festival

June 20, 2009

9:30AM-12:30AM

Venue: Island County Fairgrounds, Langley, WA

Celebrate Summer Solstice Weekend with Matanho Project at the inaugural Mavambo Festival. Let's officially welcome the sun in joy and music and commemorate the special transition of the earth's cycles, as spring becomes summer in the US and fall turns to winter in Zimbabwe. Summer is a spectacular time of year in the Puget Sound and we are honored to welcome you to Mavambo Festival as we enter this beautiful season. Huyai tipembere tese! Come let's celebrate together!


Q. What is Mavambo Festival?

A. Mavambo Festival is a brand new offering from Matanho Project, targeted toward those who are not traveling to Boulder for this year's Zimbabwean Music Festival, or those who want to begin their festivities ahead of time. Mavambo Festival, named after the Shona word meaning "beginnings," is a chance to learn from Zimbabwean and North American master musicians in a relaxed atmosphere while still capturing the festival environment. Cap the day off with a concert featuring some of the premier bands in the Puget Sound as well as our visiting Zimbabwean guests.

Q. When is Mavambo Festival?

A. Mavambo Festival is a one-day event, hosted by Matanho Project the weekend before the Zimbabwean Music Festival. This year's festival, our first, will be held Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the Island County Fairgrounds, 810 Camano Ave., Langley, Wash.

The festival is hosted by veterans of Zimfests past Paul Mataruse, Byron and Dana Moffett, and Rose Orskog, and is organized separately from the Zimbabwean Music Festival. We envision Mavambo Festival as an annual gathering held in the Puget Sound each year. Our hope is that the festival will be held the weekend before or the weekend after Zimfest, but for now we reserve the right to alter the dates to fit the schedules of organizers, teachers and performers.

Q. How is Mavambo Festival different from Zimfest?

A. Mavambo Festival offers participants a one-day opportunity to take workshops in an open format, where they are free to choose each workshop just before the session begins. The half hour between sessions will allow students plenty of time to converse with workshop instructors in order to gauge if the material to be taught is appropriate for them. Several workshops will be taught simultaneously, from marimba, mbira, hosho and dance to language and cultural discussions. Mavambo Festival offers a unique opportunity to spend a full day with your favorite teachers, and then watch them perform at the end of the day!

Q. Where do the proceeds of Mavambo Festival go?

A. Mavambo Festival will be an annual fundraiser for Matanho Project. Proceeds from the festival will help us fulfill Matanho Project's mission of improving the lives of Zimbabwean musicians and their communities. Among our current projects are:

• Supporting an annual tour of visiting Zimbabwean musicians to the United States
• Improving farming methods in Zimbabwean villages from chemically dependent to permaculture-based methods
• Establishment of the Matanho Women's Fund to support a microloan program for women living in villages partnering with Matanho Project of other endeavors

Mavambo Festival Details
Not going to Zimfest but don't want to let go of all the fun? Going to Zimfest but want to get a jump on all the fun? Then join Matanho Project at the first annual Mavambo Festival June 20, 2009. Mavambo Festival, named after the Shona word meaning "Beginnings," will feature group workshops in mbira, marimba, hosho, drumming, dance and Shona language workshops. The day will end with a concert featuring some of the most popular marimba and mbira ensembles in the Pacific Northwest.

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS
We are pleased to announce our headliners for the inaugural Mavambo Festival: visiting Zimbabwean musicians Jacob Mafuleni, Micah Munhemo, Tonderai Ndava and Peacheson Ngoshi with their new group, Mbira dzeMuninga. In addition, help us welcome Peter Mataruse to the United States. Twin brother of Ruzivo's Paul Mataruse, Peter will teach marimba and Shona language classes at the festival. We also welcome US-based Zimbabweans Lora Chiorah and Paul Mataruse, as well Canadian-based Zimbabweans Tendai Muparutsa and Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa. Our North American teachers include the members of Ruzivo (Zoe Kline, Dana Moffett and Rose Orskog, as well as Paul Mataruse), Claire Jones of Mahonyera Mbira, Sheree Seretse of Anzanga Marimba and Ted Wright and Ona Connon of Marimba Muzuva. Other teachers will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

WORKSHOPS
There will be open workshops in marimba, mbira, hosho, drumming, dance and Shona language. The following levels of workshops will be offered at the festival:

• Introductory (never touched the instrument before)
• Beginner (played for less than one year)
• Intermediate (played for one to three years)
• Intermediate-Advanced (played for more than three years)
• Advanced (played for more than five years and a quick learner)

LUNCH 12:30 – 1:20       DINNER 6:00PM – 7:00PM          EVENING CONCERT 7:00PM – 12:30AM

AFTERNOON CONCERT: 12:00PM to 5:00PM
We are also exploring an afternoon concert series at Mavambo Festival. Please let us know if your band is interested in performing on the afternoon stage.

MARKETPLACE
If you are interested in participating in our marketplace as a vendor, get in touch with us and we will let you know all the logistics. We would like to establish a vibrant marketplace much akin to the famed Mbare Musika market in Harare. This would be a place where participants can purchase mbira, hosho, CDs, mallets, African clothing, artwork, etc.

ACCOMMODATION

• Camping:  There is camping available at the Island County Fairgrounds on a first come, first served basis. Camping fees are $10 per night per tent. Camping will be in a large, open field with little privacy so please plan accordingly. Payment for camping will be done separately, not through Matanho Project or Mavambo Festival. The Island County Fairgrounds will charge this fee on an honor system upon arrival and check-in.
• Home-Stay:  We will also facilitate some home-stay arrangements if there is interest in the community. Are you interested in hosting festival participants in your home on Whidbey Island? Please contact us at info@matanhoproject.org and we will add you to our list.
• Bed & Breakfast:  In addition, there are a few Bed & Breakfast places in or near Langley. Contact us at info@matanhoproject.org for recommendations. Please note that since this is Fathers' Day Weekend, lodging may be limited at many places

COST
$150 includes 7 hours of instruction, lunch, African Dinner and Evening Concert. Purchased separately, individual sessions are $20 per hour. Tickets for the Evening Concert are $15 each and dinner is $15. Camping is charged separately by Island County Fairgrounds at the advertised rates.

REGISTRATION (See Mavambo Registration for the registration form)
A $50 deposit is required to reserve your space in the workshops. Specify "Mavambo" on the memo line and send your check to:

Matanho Project
3868 Gala Loop
Bellingham, WA 98226

Cancellations prior to June 1st will receive a full refund. Cancellations after June 1st will be charged a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be offered after June 7, 2009.

VOLUNTEER
We are looking for volunteers to help with various aspects of Mavambo Festival. We need help with signage and decorations, on-site registration, set-up and clean-up, instrument hauling, evening ticket sales, etc. Help us make this first event a very successful one!

WORK-STUDY
We may also be able to offer a limited number of work-study opportunities in areas of unmet need at the festival. If you are interested in a work-study arrangement, email us and let us know your area of expertise and we will let you know if our needs match.

INFORMATION
Contact Matanho Project at 360-321-3868 or info@matanhoproject.org for more details and for registration information. We hope to see you at Mavambo Festival. Huyai tipembere tese! Come let's celebrate together.