Tute and Irene Chigamba, father and daughter of the internationally known Chigamba family and founders of Mhembero Dance Troupe of Zimbabwe, have returned to North America for the first time in six years. Tute and Irene are masters of the Shona mbira, the mesmerizing metal-keyed thumb piano. For centuries the Shona people of Zimbabwe have made mbira ensembles an integral part of celebrations, ceremonies and everyday life.

They are joined by Ronnie Daliyo and Julia Chigamba, principal dancers and musicians in Mhembero Dance Troupe, which has thrilled audiences around the world for almost 20 years. Striving to preserve and promote Zimbabwean cultural identity, Mhenbero performaces weave an exciting mixture of traditional music and dance, including mbira (thumb piano), marimbas (wooden xylophones), ngoma (drums), hosho (gourd rattles), and traditional dances.

The traditional music and dance of Zimbabwe reveals a devotion to the celebraton of life, the bringing together of people and the honoring of ancestors, while teaching valuable moral and cultural lessons to the greater community. It is his ancient wisdom that heals and holds famiies and communities intact despite te contrary conditions of the modern world. Mhembero is truly a celebration of Zimbabwean spirit!

Tute Chigamaba and members of Mhembero Dance Troupe will give two very rare performaces in the Hudson River Valley:

Friday July 29th, Rosendale Cafe, Rosendale, NY 9:00 PM. Info: www.rosendalecafe.com or call 845.658.9048

Saturday July 30th 8:00 PM - Time & Space Limited, Hudson, NY - Info www.timeandspace.org or call 518-822-8448

They perform in New York City Sunday July 31st 8:00 & 10:00 PM - The Stone, 2nd Street and Ave.C - Info: www.thestonenyc.com