We offer #onlinelivesessions about 1x/month, and you get to sit back and enjoy them from the comfort of wherever you and your device happen to be!

After several years of producing TONS of content for FREE, we are now asking a small viewing fee for access…to ensure that we can continue making content and support the artists behind the videos!

Our new videos are now available at patreon.com/kutandara. Check it out!

Mbira Guru Celebration
Friday, September 16, 2022
6 pm MDT
Kutandara’s Youtube channel

Previous #OnlineLiveSessions Events

Bigsmile Winter Warmer Fundraising Concert
Friday, May 20, 2022
12 pm MDT | 8 pm CAT
Youtube and Facebook

Friday, February 25, 2022 at 7 pm MST
Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 4 am CAT

feat.
Blessing ‘Bled’ Chimanga
Kay-Kay
Elishama and Brendon

February 2022 Premier on Youtube

Fradreck Mujuru + Deze Rawasu
Saturday, September 25, 2021
8 pm CAT | 2 pm EDT | 12 pm MDT | 11 am PDT

Zimbabwe Independence Festival

Friday-Saturday-Sunday
April 16-17-18, 2021

On April 18 each year, tens of thousands of people in Zimbabwe traditionally flock to independence day festivities to honor the struggle that freed Zimbabwe from colonial rule in 1980. This year (like last) due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, large group gatherings are canceled…and many of us around the world wonder what we have to celebrate: white nationalism grows, racism runs rampant, food insecurity is a reality for many, and the global climate crisis looms. And yet, there IS reason to celebrate: family, music, cooperation, compassion, and determination.

This month, Zimbabwe celebrates 41 years of independence…and we are excited to be hosting the first-ever online Zimbabwe Independence Festival. We have a great lineup of performers from both Zimbabwe and the US…but that’s not all! The Festival will also feature discussions, networking opportunities, workshops, a film screening, and a tribute concert to fallen musical heroes we’ve lost.

Let’s come together and celebrate the Zimbabwean people’s struggle and success in casting off their colonialist oppressors, and re-commit ourselves to connection, music, hope, and friendship together.

All are welcome!

Festival Schedule

Friday, April 16

Kick Off Concert
8 pm CAT | 2 pm EDT | 12 pm MDT | 11 am PDT
premiering on YouTube and facebook featuring:

Moscow Marimba Lions (US)
Evie Manhanda (ZIM)
Taffie Matiure (ZIM)
Mbira Dziva (US)
Lerato Molife (ZIM)

Panel Presentation: Zimbabwean Music Today, Part 1
Panel Presentation: Zimbabwean Music Today, Part 2
moderated by Blessing Chimanga
9 pm CAT | 3 pm EDT | 1 pm MDT | 12 pm PDT

Saturday, April 17

Welcome, Introductions, Networking, and Happy Hour
6 pm CAT | 12 pm EDT | 10 am MDT | 9 am PDT
live on Zoom | meeting ID: 883 1278 0484

Workshops & Presentations
7 pm CAT | 1 pm EDT | 11 am MDT | 10 am PDT
live on Zoom | meeting ID: 883 1278 0484
Participants will have the opportunity to choose a breakout room from the following topics:

Presentation: Cooking Sadza
with Jane Matiure #gogojane
Sadza is the starcy staple food of Zimbawe. Let Gogo (Grandma) Jane show you how it’s made and eaten!
Workshop: Singing
with Winnie and Addmore Chokera
Learn the song ‘Makorokoto Zimbabwe’ which means “Congratulations Zimbabwe”
Workshop: Mbira Nyunga Nyunga for Beginners
with Taffie Matiure
Bring an “F” mbira nyunga nyunga to learn the song ‘Vanotambara’
Or bring your voice to learn the singing if you don’t have an mbira
Workshop: Hosho for Beginners
with Sheree Seretse
Bring a pair of shakers, maracas, or hosho if you have them, or just bring your clapping hands

Opening Concert
8 pm CAT | 2 pm EDT | 12 pm MDT | 11 am PDT
premiering on YouTube and facebook featuring:

Anzanga (US)
Jangano (US)
Chingodza Family (ZIM)
Polyphony Marimba (US)
Chapwititi (US)
Mudepu Brothers (ZIM)
Winad Music Trust (ZIM)
Kutandara (US)

Headlining Concert, Part 1
9 pm CAT | 3 pm EDT | 1 pm MDT | 12 pm PDT
premiering on YouTube and facebook featuring:

Takapenga (US)
Boka Marimba (US)
Zivanai Masango (ZIM)

Sunday, April 18

Film Screening: Shanda
6 pm CAT | 12 pm EDT | 10 am MDT | 9 am PDT
on YouTube with permission of the Directors John and Louise Riber

Shanda is a documentary about the life and music of Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe. The film follows Tuku on a tour of his country and into his past, through a series of concerts and interviews filmed around Zimbabwe, as he performs the songs that were most pivotal to his career. Tuku and his band “The Black Spirits” are captured performing at a most remarkable time of their long history together, and the energy of their music and dance explodes from the screen as Tuku sings the songs that mean most to him, in the places closest to his heart.

Film Discussion with Directors John and Louise Riber
moderated by Blessing Chimanga
7:30 pm CAT | 1:30 pm EDT | 11:30 am MDT | 10:30 am PDT
live on Zoom | meeting ID: 883 1278 0484

Headlining Concert, Part 2
8:30 pm CAT | 2:30 pm EDT | 12:30 pm MDT | 11:30 am PDT
premiering on YouTube and facebook featuring:

Tsoro Arts (ZIM) Mafuleni (ZIM)
Mafuleni Family (ZIM)
Blessing Chimanga (ZIM)

Fallen Heroes Tribute & Closing Concert
9:30 pm CAT | 3:30 pm EDT | 1:30 pm MDT | 12:30 pm PDT
premiering on YouTube and facebook featuring:

Sarungano (US) in celebration of Mbuya Nehanda’s life (ZIM-RIP)
Sekuru Cosmas Magaya + Ambuya Beauler Dyoko (ZIM-RIP)
Chiwoniso (ZIM-RIP)
Sheasby Matiure (ZIM-RIP)
Dumisani Maraire (ZIM-RIP)
Oliver Mtukudzi (ZIM-RIP)
Kutandara (US) – premiering thier new virtual ensemble video ‘Shamwari’
Taffie Matiure (ZIM) – premiering his new music video ‘Yarire Ngoma’

Festival Sponsorships & Donations

This online festival is FREE! To everyone! Please help spread the word.

And, we have a goal of raising $500 to cover the on-the-ground-expenses in Zimbabwe for fuel, permits, lighting, and film crew so that we can include as many Zimbabwean artists in the weekend concerts as possible. If we raise more than we need for expenses, we will pay the Zimbabwean performers and instructors.

UPDATE: As of Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 10:00 PM MDT we have met our goal and raised $505. 100% of all additional funds will be distributed to Zimbabwean performers; please give generously!

Panel Presentation: Zimbabwean Music Today, Part 1
Friday, March 26, 2021 @ 12 pm MDT | 8 pm CAT