The amazing Trillium Marimba Ensemble will appear in concert on Saturday August 4th at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia.

Check out the poster (click image for larger view) – or click here to download the poster pdf – suitable for posting on your fridge or at a local coffee shop or book store.

Here are the details:

Get ready to dance – Saturday August 4 th – Trillium Marimba Band, from Santa Fe, NM, blends traditional Zimbabwean music with folk, classical and ragtime to create an infectious, high energy dance sound. Take a workshop Sunday August 5th with Trillium members Peter & Makaela Swing.
Trillium Marimba – Blue Sage Center, Paonia — August 4th & 5th
**Saturday August 4th – Marimba Dance Party @ 8pm – $10-$15 (sliding scale), kids under 12 free!
** Sunday August 5th – Marimba & Singing Workshops @ 11am – $15
* For more information call 970-872-4413

Jennifer Kyker began to play marimba in 1990 and mbira in 1992. She has lived and studied in Zimbabwe for over three years. Jennifer has performed with various artists in Zimbabwe and the US, including Kudana Marimba Ensemble, the Chigamba family’s group Mhembero, Wagogo, and Chris Berry and Panjea. With Musekiwa Chingodza, she released the CD “Tsunga,” and also performed on Musekiwa’s solo album, “Chingodza Budai Pachena.” Jennifer has been teaching at Zimfest since 1995.
She is currently working on a PhD dissertation in ethnomusicology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jennifer will be offering a weekend long Dinhe intensive:

Come and learn dinhe, a harvest rhythm from the northern, Korekore speaking region of Zimbabwe. This series of intensive workshops will introduce drumming, singing, and dance for the dinhe rhythm. Workshops are open to all levels of drummers, dancers, and singers.

Saturday, 12 noon: Dinhe drumming: 1.5 hours

In this workshop, we will learn two supporting parts and one lead part for dinhe, a rhythm which involves challenging cross-rhythms and syncopation. Please bring a drum. As some drumming parts for dinhe are played with both sticks and hands, a dunun or other drum which can be hit with a stick is ideal, although djembe and conga drums will also work for some of the parts for dinhe.

Saturday AND Sunday, 2 pm: Dinhe dance: 1.5 hours

Dinhe dance involves stylized movements that represent activities related to the harvest, and can include props such as baskets and hoes.

Sunday, 12 Noon: Dinhe song & Hosho: 1.5 hour

This workshop will introduce a song commonly sung to the dinhe rhythm. This workshop will also cover basic hosho technique for the tsaba, muchongoyo, and mbira hosho patterns, with special emphasis on mbira hosho. We will learn how to produce the desired sound quality for hosho playing, and how to hold a steady rhythm to accompany mbira or marimba music, with an emphasis on fitting together the hosho pattern with various mbira parts.

All classes will be held at Hotchkiss Memorial Hall, 1st Street, Hotchkiss. (Noon – 4pm Sat & Sunday)

Price is $55 for all classes, or $15 for each class in advance, $18 for each class at the door.

Mbira classes also offered, please inquire. Camping available, call for details.

More Information, Questions: Call Adam @ 970-872-4413.

To pay in advance, send chacks made out to Jennifer Kyker to Adam, PO Box 969, Hotchkiss CO 81419;

On Friday May 4th, Chris will appear on KVNF’s friday noon music program “talkin’ music”. Later that evening Chris will tell stories, and perform on the mbira at the Blue Sage Center in Paonia.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 5th & Sunday 6th, Chris will be offering Drum, Dance classes at Memorial Hall (1st & Main) in Hotchkiss. Chris is well known for his masterful drum classes, and those who have had a chance to dance with Chris know his style and energy are exceptional. Mbira classes will also be offered each day, please call for details if you are interested in attending the mbira classes.
Click the poster at right for a larger version, or download the printable PDF version of the poster, or call Adam at 970-872-4413.

Click to download a printable PDF of the event poster, suitable for posting on your fridge.
Drum & Dance classes will be offered both days. Price before March 10th is $15/class, after March 10th the price is $18/class. Preregistration requested – space is limited. Please call 970-872-6004 for more information.

Rujeko Chenzira belongs to a family of musicians and healers from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe. Her unique background and knowledge of both Western and African dance, music and culture provide the perfect platform for Rujeko to act as a bridge between the two cultures.

Heidi Alina, a native of Boulder CO, earned her degree in piano performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1990, winning top scholarships and graduating with honors/Heidi’s primary mentor and teacher in African music has been Chris Berry. Chris’ unique fusion of Zimbabwean and West African styles has been highly influential and is evident in Heidi’s own music.