The second annual Mhembero will be held at The Catlin Gabel School on Saturday, April 24th from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Mhembero means "celebration" in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. Almost all of the school marimba groups from the 2009 Mhembero will return to perform in 2010, with the addition of some new schools like Springwater Trail High School in the Gresham-Barlow district and Cedarwood Waldorf School. This year we are very excited to have the world-famous Maru a Pula Marimba Band as our featured guest performers. They are coming all the way from Botswana! This high school marimba band hails from the Maru a Pula School in Gabarone.They are seasoned performers who have travelled all over the world. This is their third US tour and the first time that an entire marimba ensemble from this country has visited the Pacific NW. The group is led by Dr. Alport Mhlanga, also known affectionately as "Mr. Marimba." Dr. Mhlanga has composed hundreds of pieces for the marimba ensemble. Many bands in the United States play his songs. Dr. Mhlanga was the subject of a 1984 documentary called The Zimbabwean Marimba of Alport Mhlanga. We are very honored to have him and his ensemble as our guests.

The 2010 Mhembero will be free and open to the public. Performances will be in the Catlin Gabel Theater which is along the main parking lot. For directions and a map of the campus click here.
For a schedule of performers click here

If you want your school's marimba band included at next year's Mhembero, click here to e-mail us.

Information about last year's inaugural Mhembero:

On April 11, 2009, marimba bands from 15 middle and elemenrtary schools in the Portland area gathered at David Douglas High School Performing Arts Center for the first-ever festival of school marimba music. Walt Hampton and his youth marimba band from the Tri-Cities area of Washington came up for a special guest appearance. This day-long event was called "Mhembero", which is a Zimbabwean word for "celebration." The event was free and open to the public. It was made possible by a generous grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

The following 17 Portland area schools have African-inspired marimba bands! Is this the most in the whole country?

• Alberta Rider Elementary
• Beaumont Middle School
• Buckman Elementary
• Deer Creek Elementary
• Earl Boyles Elementary
• Gray Middle School
• Harold Oliver Intermediate
• Jackson Middle School
• Lake Grove Elementary
• Marysville Elementary
• Metropolitan Learning Ctr.
• Salish Ponds Elementary
• Sellwood Middle School
• Sojourner Elementary School
• Springwater Trail High School
• Stephenson Elementary
• Williamette Primary
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Sponsored by:
The Regional Arts and Culture Council