The Palestinian and Moroccan musicians performed on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, which offers free shows 365 days a year as part of the Performing Arts for Everyone Initiative. See how the musicians go from a sound check to actual performance. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Culture Connect

Palestinian Jazz

In appreciation for their three days of intense study and practice at the Hubbard Street Dance Center, the visitors are happy to share their country’s traditional Javanese dancing with members of the Chicago dance company. Boby leads a workshop in the fundamentals of Javanese, and Retno demonstrates a routine in traditional costume. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Indonesian Dance

After an original performance by the experimental production company The Civilians, the Indonesian visitors sit down with members of the cast and crew. The group discusses The Civilians’ mission and multidisciplinary approach to theater, which in many ways parallels Teater Garasi’s productions that often combine drama and dance. Then, the actors take a break from American theater, and embrace the opportunity to tour the Silk Road Theatre Project, a production company that showcases culturally-themed works from playwrights of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean backgrounds. The Indonesian actors are able to gain some insight into a few other cultures, as well as learn how works from their home country are received in the US. Finally, the group stops by Redmoon Theatre, a non-profit theatre company with a unique approach to making theatre more publicly accessible. The company is known for its original utilization of public spaces for performances, often setting up stages in streets and parks. A company member shares photos from past productions to better explain Redmoon’s performance space choices and how they affect productions. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Chicago Theater

The Bolivian musicians may practice Bach and other classical music at home, but they were eager to share their interpretation of traditional Bolivian music during their performance at the Kennedy Center. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

From El Alto to DC

What happens when Turkish hip-hop dancers travel to the United States on a modern dance exchange program? Sanem and fellow hip-hop dancer, Bahadir Efe, discover the transition to modern dance is not an easy one, since the two forms are based on very different styles. Nevertheless, they rise to the challenge, knowing that the exposure to new forms and skills will help them develop their range as hip-hop dancers. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Modern Dance Class

Battles or dance-offs are head-to-head confrontations between individuals or groups of dancers in order to see who can out-dance the other. There are two types of battles, the cypher and the organized, both of which are an integral part of the hip hop culture. A cypher battle occurs when a group of b-boys or b-girls form a circle, and individuals take turns showing their moves in the middle to the cheers and jeers of those around them. Often times these battles are unplanned, friendly and social. Organized battles differ in that they are planned, often publicized events, with set rules and judges. Lil Rays takes his shot at the title of an organized battle, challenging the reigning King of NY, Assassin. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Kings of New York

The Gathering is Philadelphia’s longest running hip-hop event, featuring a different performing artist or group every month, as well as anyone else who has the guts to step into the cypher, or breaking circle. The show is loud and crowded, but Lil Rays and his crew don’t shy easily, taking the stage to show The Gathering what The Flying Legs Crew is all about. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

In the Club

Here’s a new twist on a Philadelphia tradition: in true The Flying Legs Crew-style, the spirited group expresses their enthusiasm on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Philly film icon Rocky Balboa trained for his shot at the title. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Gonna Fly, Yo!

The Flying Legs Crew dives right into the New York City hip-hop scene with a master class at Full Circle Productions, the groundbreaking, non-profit hip-hop dance company founded by b-boy Kwikstep and b-girl Rokafella. The two dance veterans partnered up in 1996, sharing a dedication to the fundamentals and education of hip-hop, as well as a welcoming attitude to performers of all cultures and genders. Since then, Full Circle Productions has grown in size and recognition, bringing hip-hop to stages all around the world. The Flying Legs Crew stopped by Full Circle Productions for a master class, taught by co-founder b-girl Rokafella. Afterwards, she takes a moment to discuss teacher/student attitudes, language barriers, effort vs. authenticity, and the challenges facing b-girls today. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Rokafella

The Flying Legs Crew dives right into the New York City hip-hop scene with a master class at Full Circle Productions, the groundbreaking, non-profit hip-hop dance company founded by b-boy Kwikstep and b-girl Rokafella. The two dance veterans partnered up in 1996, sharing a dedication to the fundamentals and education of hip-hop, as well as a welcoming attitude to performers of all cultures and genders. Since then, Full Circle Productions has grown in size and recognition, bringing hip-hop to stages all around the world. While teaching The Flying Legs Crew some new moves and important fundamentals, Kwikstep demonstrates he is the undisputed master of the head spin. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Kwikstep

Proving that hip-hop is where you find it, The Flying Legs Crew passes the time on the New York City subway posing for photos - which is harder than it sounds. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

The Flying Legs Crew in NY

Like breaking, graffiti art (or tagging) is one of the five elements of hip-hop culture. Graffiti artist Danny ‘Dan One’ Polonco, a self-described “Alphabetical Engineer,” meets with Venezuela's Flying Legs Crew to teach them about graffiti art form as a means for self-expression. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Dan-One, Alphabetical Engineer

As a part of the Global Cultural Initiative, the United States Department of State and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offer professional development opportunities to energize the work of emerging international artists in their own countries by bringing them to the United States and providing them with instructive and informative experiences in their arts discipline, exposure to the creation and performance of world-class art, and opportunities to develop relationships with U.S. arts professionals. In this podcast, learn about the Cultural Visitors program through an overview of the visit by Venezuela's Flying Legs Crew. More: artsedge.kennedy-center.org/cultureconnect

Culture Connect Overview

As a part of the Global Cultural Initiative, the United States Department of State and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offer professional development opportunities to energize the work of emerging international artists in their own countries by bringing them to the United States and providing them with instructive and informative experiences in their arts discipline, exposure to the creation and performance of world-class art, and opportunities to develop relationships with U.S. arts professionals. This podcast series captures the sights and sounds of the programís first season, which features performing artists from Venezuela, Turkey, Bolivia, Palestine, Morocco, and Indonesia. ARTSEDGE, the Kennedy Centerís arts education network, supports the creative use of technology to enhance teaching and learning in, through, and about the arts, offering free, standards-based teaching materials for use in and out of the classroom, media-rich interactive experiences, professional development resources, and guidelines for arts-based instruction and assessment. Visit ARTSEDGE at artsedge.kennedy-center.org.

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Culture Connect

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