Fort Collins Museum of Discovery to Host International Zimbabwean Musician November 22
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery will present a live performance by internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean musician Blessing "Bled" Chimanga on November 22 at 7 p.m. in the Woodward Special Exhibition Gallery.
Chimanga specializes in marimba, drums, and vocals, blending Afro-jazz with traditional Zimbabwean sounds and contemporary rhythms. The performance marks another cultural programming offering from the museum, which recently announced free memberships for Poudre School District early childhood families.
The musician began his career at Harare, Zimbabwe's Haig Park School as a percussion and piano player, according to Groove Magazine International. His music features energetic African rhythms that merge traditional and modern elements.
Chimanga has performed at major international festivals including the Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, the Global Isai Festival in India, and Iguazú en Concierto in Argentina. He has collaborated with prominent African musicians including Oliver Mtukudzi of Zimbabwe, Sona Jobarteh of Gambia, and South Africa's Freshlyground.
In 2024, Chimanga sold out venues during his inaugural Colorado Tour, including the Durango Arts Center and the Roots Music Project. He currently coaches marimba and produces music at the Kutandara Center in Colorado.
The musician represented Zimbabwe at the OneBeat arts residency in the United States in 2014 and served as Music Director of the Harare International Festival of the Arts in 2018. He has released four albums, including three with his electric band and one dedicated to marimba.
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery operates through a public-private partnership between the City of Fort Collins and the nonprofit Discovery Science Center. The museum opened in November 2012 and has since welcomed over 1.25 million visitors from all 50 states, according to the museum.
FCMoD offers more than 400 science and culture-based programs annually at its facility at 408 Mason Court in Fort Collins. The museum features interactive exhibits covering science, music, agriculture, astronomy, and local history, along with the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater.
The museum will present an immersive energy systems program December 9 in the Digital Dome Theater.
Tickets for the November 22 performance are available through the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.