We are so pleased to have our teacher and friend Musekiwa Chingodza back after a three year hiatus as this year’s artist-in-residence. After much delay in securing his visa, he arrived in the U.S. just in time for our mbira student’s favorite gathering Camp paGungwa, held on the Oregon coast over the Labor Day weekend. We were blessed by stunning weather and several new mbira pieces from Musekiwa. Musekiwa is now travelling in the U.S. working with other communities, universities and long-time students. He’ll return to Eugene in November.
Kutsinhira’s performing ensembles enjoyed a busy spring and summer season. Chapwititi members returned to play after a year away at college for some of the group, and Kwaziwai enjoyed playing at Zimfest, the annual festival returning to in-person in Mt. Vernon, Washington last June. Jenaguru will round out the gigging season with a performance in Kesey Square Friday, October 7, 5:00 – 6:30. It will be a nice fall evening of music in conjunction with Eugene’s monthly First Friday Art Walk.
Classes are in full swing at the center. A beginners marimba class will start-up on Wednesdays 7:30-9:00. If interested in joining this class or perhaps a more advanced class, please contact Kutsinhira’s education facilitator Kay Burdick at kay@kutsinhira.org.
Annual Membership is renewable again here. We appreciate the support of our non-student members which allows us to keep our class tuition fees low, to continue to sponsor visits by master musicians like Musekiwa and to give back to our Zimbabwean teachers, friends and their communities through the Zimbabwean Community Development Program.
We are thankful for all that we receive from the gifts of Zimbabwean music and its people.