Kelvin Chikumbirike, Zimbabwean musician in CO, events Aug 30 and 31 in Boulder

[Mark Keller]

Hi Colorado Zim Music Community,

We're excited to have the talented and charismatic Zimbabwean musician, teacher, and performer Kelvin Chikumbirike here with us in Colorado. Fresh from Zimfest 2019, Kelvin is grateful to be here and passionate about sharing his expertise and experiences.

We have three exciting events coming up in the next week:

Welcome Gathering for Kelvin - to celebrate his arrival here in Boulder:

Date: Fri Aug 30

Time:  6 - 7 pm Potluck

7 - 9 pm Kelvin presentation and playing, possible jam

Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301

Suggested donation: $15

Please RSVP so that we can get an idea of numbers.

Nyunga Nyunga Workshops:

• Nyunga Workshop, Beg/Int
• Date: Sat Aug 31
• Time: 9-10 am
• Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301
• Suggested donation: $15

• Nyunga Workshop, Int/Adv
• Date: Sat Aug 31
• Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am
• Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301
• Suggested donation: $15

• Private and Group Lessons - contact Kelvin on Whatsapp at +263 734 598 204, or email kelvinchi...@gmail.com

Kelvin will be in the Fort Collins/Boulder/Denver area until Sep 24.

More workshops will be announced soon.

Let us (Mark and Cecily) know if you want something in particular and we’ll try to make it happen!

Kelvin Chikumbirike is an extremely popular, dynamic, Zimbabwean musician, teacher, and performer, and accomplished marimba maker. In 2017 he created the Marianne Decher Arts Trust,an organisation that voluntarily teaches street kids, people living with disabilities, prison inmates, and other disadvantaged and disabled populations.

Kelvin has played mbira in almost all hotels in central Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. He and his team have performed at parties, weddings, and major events such as HIFA 2017 and 2018, Spar Rainbow Run, Tamba Rimba Festival, Miombo Magic Festival, and at the Guinness World Records of largest marimba ensemble (this record is currently held by Zimbabwe).

He has recorded with international artists such as Klara Wojtkowska, a Polish violinist, and Lukas Meir, a Swiss drummer.

He has been interviewed by radio stations Capital FM, Star FM, ZiFM, HeartNSoul; online TV shows 263 Chat, and ZBC have covered his voluntary work with street kids.

He is coming fresh from his first Zimfest teaching experience in Oregon, where he taught nyunga nyunga, singing, & dancing; receiving rave reviews.

He eats, drinks, and sleeps marimba and mbira music and his hope is that one day every Zimbabwean will embrace these instruments and be proud of their culture and their rich heritage.

His motto: 'Zviri Mandiri' translates to 'It's In ME!', meaning 'This is my PASSION'

[mark88nano]

Reminder: welcome gathering tonight at Steelyards. Potluck 6 to 7, presentation and performance 7 to 9.

Mark

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

[Mark Keller]

Announcing more workshops with Kelvin!

Nyunga nyunga mbira, drumming, and hosho, all next weekend.

• Nyunga Workshop, Fundamentals

This workshop introduces Kelvin’s unique approach to the instrument and is aimed at all levels. It begins with a brief history and anatomy of the nyunga nyunga and a simple numbering system for the keys. The main content is an exploration of 3 “modes”, VaMudhara, Goto, and Jari, which are the basis for several familiar songs such as Kabhasikoro, Chemutengure, Mawere Kongonya, and Sarura Wako. By the end, students will be able to play basic parts in each mode and know which keys to use as variations that “add spice to the soup”, as Kelvin says. Singing and stories that give cultural context are sprinkled throughout the lesson with Kelvin’s trademark humor and energy.

• Date: Sat Sep 7

• Time: 9 -10:30 am

• Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301

• Suggested donation: $20

• Nyunga Workshop, Mukatiende and Other Modes

This workshop will introduce more modes, including the one containing Mukatiende. It is aimed at students who are familiar with the 3 modes covered in the Fundamentals workshop. Experienced players are encouraged to take the Fundamentals workshop first, but are also welcome to jump in and learn that material on the fly. Singing and stories that give cultural context are sprinkled throughout the lesson with Kelvin’s trademark humor and energy.

• Date: Sat Sep 7

• Time: 11 am - 12:30 pm

• Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301

• Suggested donation: $20

• Drumming Workshop, Mhande and Dinhe

This workshop is aimed at beginner and intermediate students. Several drums are available at Kutandara, but bring your own if you have one. Singing and stories that give cultural context are sprinkled throughout the lesson with Kelvin’s trademark humor and energy.

• Date: Sun Sep 8

• Time: 10 - 11:30 am

• Place: Kutandara, 5401 Western Avenue, Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301

• Suggested donation: $20

• Hosho Workshop, Basic Patterns and Split Skills

This workshop is suitable for intermediate or advanced students. It will cover basic patterns for songs with 3 subdivisions (most mbira songs) and 4 subdivisions (most dance songs). Singing and stories that give cultural context are sprinkled throughout the lesson with Kelvin’s trademark humor and energy.

• Date: Sun Sep 8

• Time: 12 - 1:30 pm

• Place: Kutandara, 5401 Western Avenue, Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301

• Suggested donation: $20

As a reminder, here is some general info on Kelvin and his current CO visit:

[Mark Keller]

Those who met Abel last year will be thrilled to know he is back for a few weeks! He will teach nyunga nyunga Saturday and more workshops will be announced soon.

• Nyunga Workshop, Beginner/Intermediate

This will cover basic parts and variations for Chemutengure and other related songs (Jari mode).

• Date: Sat Oct 5

• Time: 9 -10:30 am

• Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301

• Suggested donation: $20

• Nyunga Workshop, Intermediate/Advanced

This will cover Mukatiende, Mhondoro, and other related songs (“neighbors only” mode).

• Date: Sat Oct 5

• Time: 11 am - 12:30 pm

• Place: ZiMbira Steelyards Studio, 3100 Carbon Place #103, Boulder, CO 80301

• Suggested donation: $20