The Thai Community Arts and Cultural Center was founded in 1992, for the purpose of preserving and promoting Thai arts and culture in the United States.  The organization is based in Los Angeles, whose population of Thai and Thai-descended people is the largest one of outside…
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Alam Khan

Hindustani or North Indian classical music, a tradition that originated in the Vedic ritual chants, has been evolving since the 12th century.  The sarod (or sarode) is a 25-stringed fretless instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music.  Along with the sitar, it is among the most popular and prominent instruments…
The skakuhachi is a bamboo flute whose origin is in China but migrated to Japan around the sixth century.  It was primarily played by Buddhist monks, who used it as a spiritual medium in order to master breathing techniques.  The primary genres of shakuhachi are honkyoku (solo), sonkyoku (ensemble), and…
Hawaiian rich and ancient culture depends on plants, and still depends on them today.  Native plants played a vital role in all aspects of life related to ancient Hawaiian culture.  Learning about native Hawaiian plants and their medicinal and cultural uses has the capacity to connect Hawaii’s cultural past with…
Tsugaru shamisen is a three-stringed instrument which has its origins in the Tsugaru region of Aomori, Japan.  The earliest form of shamisen made its way from China to Okinawa, Japan, in the 16th century.  Of the three most common types of shamisen in Japan, the tsugaru shamisen is the largest…
Japanese Koto Music
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MESTO

For the past decade, MESTO (Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra) has engaged the Arabic community in Southern California by providing high-quality concerts, live events, and educational programs.  MESTO combines the melodies and rhythms of the Middle East within a Western symphonic setting, creating a unique blnd of these musical traditions.  MESTO accomplishes…
Theatre of Yugen is an experimental ensemble dedicated to the pursuit of the intanglible essence of yugen (yu: deep, quiet, otherworldly; gen: subtle, profound, dark).  With a foundation in Japanese noh drama and kyogen comedy, Theatre of Yugen creates works of world theater by crafting original…
Filipino American arts, culture, and advocacy
The Modesto Cambodian Buddhist Society is a beacon for the Khmer community, preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Cambodian people and supporting sustainable progress for growth and prosperity. With its support, the Cambodian classical dance troupe grew from six beginners to 40 trained dancers.