“Mbira Physics and the Songs of Iron”

bristol | miscellaneous | event notice Tuesday October 20, 2009 16:34 by Nick Thomas - The Pierian Centre info at pieriancentre dot com The Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8SA 0117 924 4512

A Science Café with Nhamburo Ziyenge and Fidelis Mherembi.

This fascinating talk by physicist Nhamburo Ziyenge uses the Zimbabwean thumb piano, the Mbira, to explore some of the fundamental laws of physics. The mbira and its relations act as a startling and seductive guide to such usually arcane areas as Fourier Analysis, Hooke’s Law and the Helmholtz Dissonance Curve. This simple looking instrument suddenly appears surprisingly sophisticated – and physics comes vibrantly to life! The evening includes discussion and a special performance by Zimbabwean mbira Master Fidelis Mherembi. Nhamburo Ziyenge was born in Zimbabwe and studied at the Universities of Leicester & Manchester and the Institute of System Level Integration. He is a founding member of the Oxford-based Community Development Network, and is interested in bringing together modern technologies and the cultural and traditional strengths of remote peoples.

Sponsorship by The Festival of Learning means that we can offer this unusual Science Café for FREE!
Tea, coffee & biscuits from 7.30pm for a prompt start at 8pm. It takes place at the Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, Bristol BS2 8SA. Please book in advance on 0117 924 4512 or info@pieriancentre.com.