Marimba, meditation, movement. Instrument building, vocal improvisation, visioning. An emphasis on connection, expression and play.

Based on the principles of Musicians Without Borders, participants will create space to consider the following questions:

• How can we use music to move out of our heads and into our bodies?

• How can we make group improvisation tight, dynamic and meaningful?

• How can we better facilitate ‘in-the-moment’ music-making experiences anytime, anywhere, and with anyone?

The venue is Alfoxton House in Somerset, South West England. It is a Triratna Buddhist retreat centre and former home of poet William Wordsworth, set in 50 acres of ancient woodland; a perfect space for this work. It is an alcohol and drug-free event, with delicious vegan food served to all. Sessions will be in English, though we will do our best to accommodate any language or other accessibility requirements - please let us know when booking.

Further details below. We anticipate this will be a popular event, so get your booking in early.

More information here: https://sites.google.com/view/alfoxtonpark/courses-events/letsplay?authuser=0

Taste of Southern Africa Festival 2019

Taste of Southern Africa invites you to its annual Taste of Southern Africa Festival - a day to experience and celebrate southern African cultural heritage through the performing arts.

Join us at Grow Hackney in east London on October 26th for a big taste of southern African culture!

LINE UP

14:00: Marimba Workshop (Free!)
15:00: Mbira (Kalimba) Workshop (Free!)
16:00: Poetry / Spoken Word Open Mic
17:00: Acoustic Jam Session
18:00: Creatives' Hangout
20:30: Live music from Sekuru Makamanzi (Hypnotic mbira music from Zimbabwe), Otto & The Mutapa Calling (Upbeat and lively marimba music from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe), Tsungai Tsikirai & Friends (AfroPop / AfroFolk / AfroJazz music full of energy and rhythm) and Afro House music from DJ KhandaCool till late.

MARIMBA WORKSHOP

The African marimba (xylophone) is a wonderful acoustic instrument that is easy to play and great for group participation. It builds on the percussive element of the African drum by enabling harmonious melodic expression. Using soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas to build an ensemble, participants will get the opportunity to learn, play and create rhythms and melodies as a marimba band, and have a great time doing so!

Sign up for this workshop here.

MBIRA WORKSHOP

The African mbira is a beautiful instrument with a relaxing, meditative sound that has traditionally been used in the southern parts of Africa as a spiritual pathway for guidance and healing. In this workshop we will teach using the slightly more contemporary fifteen key F-major mbira called Nyunga Nyunga (or Kalimba) from Zimbabwe. The workshop will include a bit of singing.

Sign up for this workshop here.

SEKURU MAKAMANZI

Sekuru (Gabriel) Makamanzi is a UK based musician who's music is deeply rooted in the traditional sound of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. With his mbira, he shares a sound that has been central in traditional practices in southern Africa for millennia. From a young age, Gabriel knew he wanted to be a musician. After moving to Harare he joined an mbira group called the Mighty Spiders Crew from Mbare, and played at traditional ceremonies with his mentor and tutor, Garikai Tirikoti. Gabriel was recruited by Andy Brown and The Storm, who he toured the UK with in 2002. After settling in Northern Ireland in 2003, he started the Afresh band and set up marimba, mbira and dance workshops in schools and community centres. He soon produced a nine-track album with his band which has been received very well in Zimbabwe and Ireland. He plays with Thomas Mapfumo when he tours in the UK, as well as Shoniwa Shingai of The Noisettes.

TSUNGAI TSIKIRAI & FRIENDS

Tsungai Tsikirai is an award winning singer-songwriter and dancer, born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and based in the United Kingdom. Her style and repertoire ranges from traditional southern African to soulful Afro jazz and Afro pop. With her southern African band, Tsungai brings a vibrant combination of dance and music influenced by the legendary sounds of Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie and Angélique Kidjo. In 2014 she was awarded Best Music Female Artist 2014 at the ZIMMA Awards, and in 2015 Mporiro Festival awarded Tsungai for her contribution to contemporary music. Tsungai launched her debut album, Rova Ngoma, at The Breaking Boundaries Concert in 2016 which was aimed at promoting cultural diversity, empowering women through arts and community development. She has recently featured at The British Museum’s Faiths In Tune Festival, ZimFest Live and Nottinghill Carnival.

OTTO & THE MUTAPA CALLING

Otto & The Mutapa Calling is a lively London based marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers. The band's set-up includes soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas, mbira, hosho, drumming and singing, with both traditional and contemporary dances. The marimba band’s sound is full of energy and pulsating rhythms - and their music shares the rich cultures, histories and stories of the people of southern Africa.

DJ KHANDACOOL

We are thrilled to welcome back the fantastic afro house DJ, DJ KhandaCool - resident DJ at Afrocam, Supremeevents and Grill Yard UK. He is also a radio DJ and co-host of Cava De Kulca.