WHAT'S NEW WITH SOLSTIX
October 22nd,2002 Fall has arrived on the West Coast! After a very warm and dry couple of months, we've a couple of sprinkles of rain and the leaves are finally starting to change. Mufaro has played a few gigs in the last while including the Earth Tribe Gathering in Duncan,on the eve before the full moon, and the James Bay Lantern Fest as well as the final Moss Street Market for the season. One band mate has missed a couple of shows to travel back to Ontario where he played with Nyamamusago, Toronto's marimba band. It was quite a thrill to jam in Kingston, Ontario! Listen for their name if you live in the Toronto area. Look for MUFARO around town in Victoria and please check out the dates page. See you around!
September 4th,2002 Greetings! Please check out the new information regarding this years' Earth Tribe Gathering! It is the 3rd Annual!
August 17,2002 We would like to thank everyone on Hornby Island for another fantastic Zimbawean Music gathering, Zimini. The weather was awesome and the music was amazing. Dancing and jamming under the stars to many speical performers. Among the performers, included Hornby Island's Mo' Fire and Amani Marimba, Victoria's Muzuva, Solstix, Zimbabwelicious, Mimi Makeke, and Batanayi. Thank you to the many organizers and people on Hornby who let us camp out, jam and have an overall great time! We look forward to future gatherings!
July 28th,2002 Solstix has been enjoying the lovely weather and the busking season in downtown Victoria! Some members got to experience Zimfest in seattle (3 days of spectacular mbira, marimba, singing ,dancing, drumming and other aspects from bands throughout the West Coast and Zimbabwe). It was wonderful! A fundraising CD has been released from the Earth Tribe Gathering of last year. It contains Solstix Marimba Ensemble, Kuraba, a percussion and dance ensemble and otherlocal talent. Proceeds go towards various community service groups. (See Earth Tribe for more information) Please check out our gig schedule. See you in the streets!!
June 1st,2002 It's that time of year again!! Look for Solstix performing in the streets with the warmer weather!
April 28th,2002 Thanks to everyone that has come out to our events! We've had a successful Walk for Juvenile Diabetes, a benefit for "Healthier Kids", in Esquimalt and 2 very well attended events, the Walk for Global Justice and Times Colonist 10 K! The Walk for Global Justice (Earth Walk) saw thousands of people come together and celebrate the Earth and music. We shared the stage with such acts like the Be Good Tanyas and many other local musicians! The next day we were up at first light to play for the Times Colonist 10K. Some 8 thousand runners, the largest yet, ran through the streets of Victoria and passed us in Beacon Hill! This was truely a blast to play for and watch people's reactions! Lookin' good runners!
March 27th,2002 Solstix will be playing this Spring! And have been added to the Latin Caribbean Festival roster! We will also be playing the Walk for Global Justice ! Check out all of our new dates listed in the shows section. And if you would like Solstix to play at your function, please contact us!
Feruary 2nd,2002 Hello, here's Solstix's update. We have taken the winter to tune up and work on new songs. The Solstice Dance was a fantastic night! Thanks to BaaBaa Marimba, Shumba, Nyenyedzi and Muzuva for putting on a great show and sharing the music! Our guestbook is up and running again! Please sign it and feel free to email us any comments. See you soon!
December 14thWe have been busy in the last little while and are preparing for the Winter Solstice. We have welcomed new members into the band and are looking forward to 2002! Happy Holidays from Solstix!
October 20th Solstix has had a busy time in the last while playing at such events as the James Bay Lantern Festival along with a percussion procession, Sundance Elementary's Corn Feast, the launch of the New VI TV station with such performers as Diana Krall, The Special Guests, David GoGo's All Star Band featuring Tom Hooper (Grapes of Wrath), Vince Deitric (Spirit Of The West), Dan Lapp and more. We also had lots of fun playing Duncan's Earth Tribe Gathering under the stars in support for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and an overall peaceful world.
September 17th Over the past month, we have been practicing our stuff and have performed at Moss Street Market and UVic's big welcome party, the Sub-Intrigue. We will be playing lots more into the Fall so keep an ear out and tell your friends about this site! Look forward to seeing you soon!
August 23rd Solstix would like to give a big thank you and good luck to Sandy Ockenden and his family who have been a major inspiration to our lives and music. Sandy has patiently taught us many aspects of Zimbabwean music. A teacher to many in the community and a key player in Muzuva. Thank you! We wish you good luck in your teaching and journeys in the Kootenays.
August 20th We had a wonderful time at the 1st Zimbabwean Music gathering on Hornby Island this past week! Workshops were held during the week with honored Zimbabwean guests Sidney Maratu, Charles Mzite and Garadziva Chigamba, where dance, drumming, singing, and marimba was taught. Saturday evening, on a beautiful stage under the stars, many people were brought together for an unforgettable musical performance of marimba, mbira, and even chipendani. Performers included Saltspring Island's Batanayi Ensemble, Victoria's Muzuva, Solstix and Nyenyedzi Ensemble, Choto, Hornby Island's Amani Marimba, and members from Lasqueti Marimba, Limpopo, Vancouver Marimba and even a Bliss Gypsy from Indiana. Plus special Zimbabwean guests Sidney Maratu, Charles Mzite and Garadziva Chigamba. People took to the grassy dance-floor as soon as the first note was hit, and they danced 'til the last. A big thank you to the many organizers and people on Hornby who let us camp out, perform and have an overall great time! We look forward to any possible future gatherings!
August 7th Well thank you to all who came out and supported us busking by dropping something in our hat. We really appreciate it! We hope to see you again! If you happened to miss us, don't worry, we will be out lots more throughout the summer. Check shows to see when the band will be performing next! And if you would like Solstix to play at your function, please contact us!
July 8th,2001 Solstix site up and running! Enjoy!