INCA, the Peruvian Music & Dance Ensemble, was founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, for the purpose of researching, preserving, and presenting Peru’s rich multi-cultural heritage of ethnic and folkloric music, songs, dance, and traditions. INCA performs music and dances from the Andean region of Peru…
For over 40 years, the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center/Lucha, Inc. has provided youth and adults with a free, afterschool cultural education program. Centered in the heart of Oxnard, California, many of Inlakech’s students come from low-income agricultural families, who are greatly underserved. Children from the age of two to the…
The Network of Myanmar American Association (NetMAA) is a grassroots, community-based organization that aims to support and promote the Myanmar( Burmese) community in Los Angeles through civic and cultural education. NetMAA holds various programs throughout the year to benefit the Myanmar-American community in Los Angeles, including…
Ballet Folklórico Pilares de México was formed in 2008, offering instruction in regional Mexican folk dances to an initial seven children. Currently, over 55 children and adolescents (ages 5-18) are an active part of the troupe, which performs at community events and venues in Orange County, including hospitals, churches, family…
Nastaliq is the most popular calligraphy style in the Persian-speaking world. Nastaliq is mainly used to write Persian poetry, which alongside calligraphy occupies a significant place in the everyday life of Iranians. Since the ancient foundation of Islam, calligraphy has been the dominant and emblematic feature of Islamic art. The…
The lion dance is an important tradition to China. Usually the dance is part of festivities like Chinese New Year, weddings, funerals, cultural celebrations, and other community gatherings. Dating back to the Han Dynasty (3rd century), it was further developed during the Tang Dynasty (716-907 AD) and into its modern…
Hayashi is a traditional Japanese percussion ensemble. Originating in Noh theater in the 14th century, hayashi also plays an important part in Kabuki theater. The core hayashi instruments are the kotsuzumi (a shoulder drum that produces low sounds), the okawa (a hand drum that makes very high sounds), and the…
Gospel music was birthed in America as a natural derivative of African American history. African Americans sign what they live. As slaves, they sang a slave song. As freedom fighters, they sang a song of deliverance. As freedom marchers, they sang a song of victory. Today, African Americans sing Gospel…
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…
Colombia’s Caribbean coast is host to a plethora of rhythms and musical styles. Many fall under the umbrella of cumbia, which is but one of a number of styles. In this region, the most commonly used instruments are the alegre, llamador, tambora, maracón, guacho, and gaita. Together, they represent the…
