James Mujuru, from Zimbabwe's Masango Cultural Center will be visiting Portland on Friday, February 27th at 7pm at Tryon Life Community Farm (www.tryonfarm.org) to give a talk and slide show about the exciting developments at the center. He will also be performing at Reed College on the 28th.

Masango Center, in the heart of Seke, is just 30 km from Harare, yet far enough out of the city to be immersed in nature. Masango's vision is to ensure the indigenous arts and culture in Zimbabwe thrive in the daily life of all Zimbabweans, while working towards a sustainable future by building healthy relationships with the land, ourselves, and each other.

The three focuses at Masango are: empowering participants through learning and practicing collective leadership; sustainable building and farming techniques; and traditional arts and culture.

James comes from a long lineage of mbira musicians. Originating from Rusape, in the eastern part of rural Zimbabwe, his music carries the ancient prayers of his elders into the present. Weaving story telling and song into his performance, James offers the beauty and intelligence of the mbira music to the rest of us, straight form Zimbabwe.

James currently lives in British Columbia and recently spent two productive months in Zimbabwe completing the cob and thatch community center, building of wells and gardens, and visioning the future of Masango.

Despite all the suffering in Zimbabwe right now, there is hope and this hope is tangible in the enthusiasm experienced at Masango. Come see what is possible. Donations of $5-50 are suggested.

We will have two very special guests at this Saturday's natural building workparty: James Mujuru, a natural builder and musician from Zimbabwe, and Joshua Klyber, our local natural plasters guru and old friend of the Farm. Together, we'll be plastering our new office loft in the barn, and working on the light-clay straw insulation for the first floor of the barn.

Come get muddy with us! 11-4ish on Saturday, Feb. 28. Bring your lunch--we'll make tea and snacks.