creating community through music and dance
it's time for all people to be together...
Who We Are
Tawanda muChinyakare means "we are many, all in the deep tradition of the arts of our ancestors," in ChiShona, a native language of Zimbabwe.
The phrase speaks of a profound unity experienced through living in harmony with the deep traditions of our ancestors.
Tawanda muChinyakare is a network of musicians, artists, teachers, and community organizers that was created with the purpose of weaving ancestral wisdom and creative expression with contemporary education and community work through the medium of African music and dance.
Tawanda muChinyakare is a bridge between cultures, tribes, elders, youth, and ancestors, which seeks to introduce new cultural perspectives, strengthen positive aspects of heritage, and expand cultural imagination through facilitating events, classes, and community gatherings. Tawanda muChinyakare invites us to experience the true power of community
through the context of traditional music and dance.
Chinyakare Ensemble
Under the direction of Julia Tsitsi Chigamba, the Chinyakare Ensemble boasts a collection of diverse and experienced musicians from Africa, the United States and beyond. True to its name, "deep traditional in the arts of our ancestors", the ensemble performs traditional dance, mbira, drums, marimba, and song from Shona, and other tribal groups from around Zimbabwe.
The Chinyakare Ensemble is available for performances, school assemblies, parties and ceremonies. The Ensemble is currently composed of 3 to 6 dancers and musicians. The number of performers available depends on the type of venue and the kind of presentation requested. In presenting our culture to the public it's a question of quality, not quantity.
For booking, please email us at nditsitsi_yahoo.com or call 510 387 0540
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Hollywood Bowl Summer Sounds
July 2008;
Napa Valley Vintner's Association,
Mt. Veeder Winery, Oakville,
June 6, 2008;
Bembero Mudengu "Telling My Story"
June 4, 2005;
Zimfest (Zimbabwean Music Festival, annually);
Grace Cathedral San Francisco (Annually);
Diamano Coura Collage des Cultures Africaines (annually)
Ethnic Dance Festival auditions (upcoming show in June)
Email us to learn about upcoming events
Classes taught by Julia Chigamba
OYC (Oakland Youth Chorus);
Hollywood Bowl;
Kutandara Center, Boulder, Colorado;
Tumbuka, Santa Fe, New Mexico;
Young AUdiences of Northern California
(assemblies throughout the bay area);
Zimfest (annually);
Lula Washington Dance Theater Los Angeles, California
Media
Our Community
NEWS
Welcome! Dancers! MAUYA MAUYA
Julia Chigamba will be teaching an 8 week Tradtional Zimbabwean Dance Class on Saturdays!!!
Date: Feb 6-Mar 27 2010
Time: 10:00am-11:15am
Place: Brook Street Studio 3018 Brook St Oakland Ca 94611
Price: 8 week session JUST $80 or $12 drop-in per class
Children are welcome : Ages 12y/o or younger HALF PRICE
To sign up e-mail Julia at... nditsitsi_yahoo.com
Contact Us
Julia Tsitsi Chigamba 510 387 0540 nditsitsi_yahoo.com
