Musicians and Dancers from Zimbabwe

GALA OPENING NIGHT show, 
Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 8:00pm. 

This upcoming performance, a preview of National Dance Week will feature visitIng Zimbabwean musician, Musekiwa Chingodza and Zimbabwean dancers Julia Chigamba & Chinyakare Ensemble. Tickets sold at door/$12. 
Children under 12, FREE

*Musekiwa Chingodza* was born into a family of great mbira (thumb piano)players in Murewa, Zimbabwe, in 1970. He began playing mbira at age five,and says about his playing, “No one taught me to play mbira. Rather, I
learned by listening...When I play mbira, I remember these old men I used to play with as a youngster at ceremonies, including my grandfather, Sekuru Chingodza. Mbira music is both medicine and food, as it satisfies and heals both the living and the ancestors.” Musekiwa is a wonderful singer and an accomplished player on *ngoma* (drum) and *hosho* (gourd shakers). Musekiwa has been teaching and sharing his various musical skillswith North Americans for many years.


*Julia Tsitsi Chigamba* grew up in the rich cultural traditions of Shona music and dance. Daughter of the highly respected Mai Chigamba and Baba Tute Chigamba, she’s a long time member of the Mhembero Dance Troupe. Moving to the US in 1999, Julia loves to share the beauty and wisdom of her culture through teaching and performance. *Chinyakare Ensemble, founded and directed by Julia Chigamba,* is a dynamic musical and dance troupe highlighting traditional instruments, music and dance from Zimbabwe and sharing and promoting the important role of women in Zimbabwean traditions and celebrations.