24th Street Theatre Launches 'Saturday Explorer Series 2010'

The acclaimed 24th Street Theatre presents its annual Saturday Explorer Series, designed to bring cutting-edge performance artists to young audiences. The weekly afternoon series offers a great opportunity for parents to share first-class art with their kids. This year, 24th Street Theatre explores music and dance from around the world: sometimes whimsical; sometimes provocative; always excellent! The featured ensembles include:

Fandango sin Fronteras (Musica de México). The traditional Jarana music of Veracruz, Mexico, with an L.A. twist! La Música tradicional Jarana de Veracruz, México, con un sabor de Los Angeles! (April 17);

Swing Brazil Tribe (Musica de Brazil). Brazilian musicians dedicated to bringing you the Joy and Spirit of Carnaval...where the Sacred meets the Streets! Los músicos brasileños dedicados a traer la alegría y el espíritu del Carnaval ... donde la Sagrada reúne las Calles! (April 24);

Shammy Dee and Friends - Da Beat (Hip-Hop). An evolution of the beat... from the heartbeat to Hip Hop! La evolución del ritmo... del latido del corazón al Hip Hop! (May 1);

Shakti Dance Company (Musica y Baile de India). Vibrant and virtuosic storytelling through Indian song and dance! ¡Narración vibrante y virtuosa atraves de la canción y la danza de la India! (May 8).

Co-founded by Debbie Devine and Jay McAdams, 24th Street Theatre has been a cultural mainstay of the Greater Los Angeles area since 1997, offering a unique blending of professional productions and world-class artists with quality Arts Education. 24th Street is one of the only professional Los Angeles theatres offering after school and weekend programming for elementary school children and their families, and one of the very few organizations approved by both the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission as Arts Education providers.

24th Street Theatre's educational programming is overseen by Artistic Director Debbie Devine, who also heads the Drama Department at the prestigious Colburn School of Performing Arts. She is certified by the Los Angeles County Arts Education Training Program and has been teaching for over 30 years. For further information visit about 24th Street productions, educational programs and tours, visit its website: http://www.24thstreet.org.

The Saturday Explorer Series runs April 17 to May 8 at 24th Street Theatre, 1117 West 24th Street (@ 24th & Hoover, Parking available). All performances begin at 1PM. Tickets are $5.00; FREE for North University Park Area Resides. For reservations and information, call 213-745-6516; or email theatre@24thstreet.org

About the Artists

FANDANGO SIN FRONTERAS is a volunteer-based organization that does music, theatre, collaborations, exhibits and more. The group's work is centered around the concept that when immigrants arrive in a new place, they reproduce and transform their existing culture, adding artistic and social influences. The Son Jarocho is traditional music and dance from the southern state of Veracruz, Mexico, which Fandango Sin Fronteras informs with their Los Angeles aesthetic. The traditional sound fuses a variety of Spanish, Indian and African influences. The genre's ultimate expression, the fandango ritual celebration, unites musicians, dancers and singers of all generations and skill levels. Fandango Sin Fronteras works to create a bridge between Southern Veracruz and Southern California with widely recognized jarocho groups such as; Mono Blanco, Son de Madera, Los Cojolites and Los Utrera. Through workshops and cultural centers such as the Centro Cultural de Mexico in Santa Ana, the Eastside Café in East Los Angeles and Tia Chucha's in Sylmar, the traditional study and promotion of Son Jarocho lives on.

Swing Brazil Tribe
Swing Brazil Tribe is a collective of dancers, musicians, and cultural activists led by Vida Vierra and Dani Lunn. Known for their participatory community events, using the Sacred Arts of Dance and Music, the company best expresses it's vision through Ritual, Performances, Education and Community Activism. This group of Brazilian musicians is dedicated to bringing their audience the Joy and Spirit of Carnaval...where the Sacred meets the Streets at the Crossroads of Change! Film credits include- World Festival of Sacred Music 1999, the PBS Special Song For the City of Angels, On The Edge, LA River Project 2009, and CNN- Latin America. They have performed at events such as the World Festival of Sacred Music (1/2/3 and 4), Summer Sounds @ the Hollywood Bowl (2009), the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Mami Wata Festival, Heritage Festival-New Orleans, and Glow Festival-Santa Monica.

Shammy Dee
Arash (aka Shammy Dee) is one of the new-generations of multi-faceted artists on the rise. His many accomplishments include successes as a musician, DJ and actor. As a musical artist, his debut album, Transcripted Thoughts has two #1 charting singles: "Rise" and "Howudoin?". As a DJ, he's rocked many crowds in clubs and events from San Diego to Los Angeles. As an actor, he has appeared on multiple television shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Mind of Mencia, and Make It Or Break It, as well as multiple television commercials. Shammy Dee will unveil his original musical production "Da Beat" as part of 24th Street Theatre's Saturday Explorer Series.

Shakti Dance Company
Established in 1981, Shakti Dance Company is based in Los Angeles, California. As the professional arm of the Shakti School of Bharata Natyam, all performing members have had several years of training and have completed their arangetrams (solo dance debuts). The company, led by Artistic Director Viji Prakash who also teaches the Tanjavur style of Bharata Natyam, has received critical acclaim for its presentations and vibrant performances all over the world. Dancers from India, the US, Malaysia and other parts of the world are also an integral part of the Shakti Dance Company. The company's orchestra comprises world-class musicians from India, the US and Canada, and provides vital musical accompaniment for all performances. The company has performed in many prestigious venues and has toured the US, India, Canada, and abroad.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.