Brigham Young University’s Living Legends celebrates the Latin American 1/28/2011

Brigham Young University's Living Legends celebrates the Latin American, Native American, and Polynesian cultures through song and dance in its 90-minute performance, Seasons. They will perform on Friday, January 28, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Morrison Center, Boise, Idaho. Tickets are $20.00, $16.00 and $12.00 (plus service fees), available at Morrison Center box office, all Select-a-Seat Outlets, online at IdahoTickets.com or call 426-1110. Each year hundreds of BYU students representing the cultures of North and South America and the South Pacific audition for the opportunity to pay tribute to their ancestors. All Living Legends members are of Native American, Latin American, or Polynesian heritage.

Authentic choreography, intricate costumes, and heart-pounding music bring to life the beauty of traditional cultures often forgotten in today's modern world. From the graceful Hawaiian Hula and Mexican Fiesta dances of celebration to the excitement and beauty of a Native American Pow Wow, this year's Living Legends performance will reflect the cycle of civilization. The dances will portray the changing seasons experienced by ancient cultures, weaving together legends of the past with the reality of today.

In January and February of 2011 Living Legends will take a 10-day tour in the Pacific Northwest. Traveling by bus, the group will take over 5,000 pounds of costumes, props, and production equipment throughout Washington and Idaho, performing seven major concerts and doing outreach performances and activities in cities like Olympia, Moses Lake and Boise. Some of their venues include Olympia's Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Portland's Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the Everett Civic Auditorium.

From April 26 to May 17 of 2010, Living Legends dazzled audiences in China for the first time in 18 years. In conjunction with the China Performing Arts Agency, the group inspired everyone they met in seven cities, and represented Brigham Young University at the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival. In addition, Living Legends was one of a select few ensembles who was invited to represent the United States at the World Expo in Shanghai, where they performed on the America Square Stage for an audience of 8,000, and participated in a parade for over 300,000 spectators.

In April and May of 2009, Living Legends went on an extended tour to the South American countries of Argentina and Paraguay. While on the tour, the group met the First Lady of Paraguay, performed in the Gran Teatro, the best venue in the country, and met the Catholic Archbishop of Argentina. Throughout the tour, the group was filmed for a documentary to air later on BYUTV.

"It is always exciting to visit a culture that we represent," said Janielle Christensen, artistic director for Living Legends. "The audience members appreciate how the group represents their heritage and dance in an honorable way. Out of respect, we learn from the culture's artwork, architecture, and lifestyle, which are all incorporated in our purpose."

Living Legends has been applauded worldwide in places such the Pacific Islands, Australia, Canada, Europe, and South America. During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City, Utah, Living Legends had the honor of performing for visitors and athletes in the Olympic Village. Members of Living Legends also had the privilege of participating in Light of the World, a production featuring several BYU performing groups.

Living Legends strives to encourage all people to take pride in their individual heritage. Its joyful expression of cultural tradition encourages audiences to better themselves, as illustrated by a statement from the Office of Culture in Guatemala: "Your performance was wonderful. Your presence here teaches our people something-to have high ideals and to walk proud as a people. We hope this community will not be the same after tonight."

Living Legends originates in the School of Music at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. BYU is one of the nation's largest private universities with an enrollment of 30,000 students from throughout the United States and 120 foreign countries.

 

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