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.
