Csilla’s Chums fundraising concert ~ Bristol

The rhythms, music and songs played by Csilla’s Chums were originally shared and performed with band members during community and school based projects - in SW England and in Zimbabwe - alongside members of the African diaspora living in Bristol and Devon, including Ben Baddoo, Chartwell Dutiro, Kaya Charimba and currently Kennedy Chinyere.

For example, one dance tune Gahu, was taught during the Ekome Arts programme (1980s) that raised awareness of the richness of Ghanaian culture that can and should be reflected in UK school curricula. Others complemented activities in and around the community initiated Zambuko Community Library and Cultural Centre (1999 ongoing) which is now becoming a learning centre for Trees of Hope (2019 ongoing). These musical pieces were incorporated within the repertoires of the pioneering bands Alaha, Mixed Fruit and Zango and so reflect the personal outward looking histories of Csilla’s Chums’ musicians. The pieces have been refashioned for this performance - with the effect that selected mbira and drum based melodies are played on balaphons, flutes and bass. The songs and the metaphors they convey have also been adapted for the contemporary context.

Kennedy Chinyere - mbira, voice and drums

Nick Clough - balaphon, mbira, voice and drums

Anna Gibson Hart - balaphon, voice and percussion

Toby Kohler - electric bass

Jane Tarr - flute, alto flute and mbira

We hope you will enjoy this music

We are collecting donations today for two linked projects in rural Zimbabwe:

1. Zambuko Community Library and Cultural Centre – a large thatched library built by the Chiriseri community, Domboshava, Zimbabwe during 1999-2012. This functioning learning centre currently requires repairs to the roof, doors and windows

2. Trees of Hope, Zimbabwe – see www.treesofhopezim.com a community based tree nursery seeking to nurture local saplings and provide indigenous bushes and fruit / forest trees for the local community. See https://www.gofundme.com/f/nrg3y-roots

FFI Contact : Jane Tarr janetarr1234@gmail.com 07791551065