Los Angeles is made of many cultures and communities that regularly celebrate their arts, and I want to tell you about three upcoming world music and dance shows that you might like.
1. The first takes place this Saturday, February 27th at 6 p.m. at the Chinmaya Mission Rameshwaram, 14451 Franklin Ave, Tustin CA 92867. The Kalanjali Organization presents an evening of meditative Indian music featuring the voice of Ramneek Kaur Singh performing works by composer Ramneekji. The show happens on the Kalanjali stage in Tustin. Click here for more information.
Here is a music clip from a Montreal show by Ramneek Kaur Singh:
2. The second concert coming up is part of the Aratani Series, presenting Kenny Endo, a taiko drum virtuoso. He’ll be joined by Abe Lagrimas, Jr., playing vibes, ukulele, and drums, as well as Shoko Hikage playing koto and Derek Nakamoto on keyboards. The Aratani World Series is a great series of concerts now in its second season. It is curated by veteran world music producer and educator Judy Mitoma.
This concert happens Saturday, March 5th, at the Aratani Theater at the JACCC (Japanese Cultural Community Center) in Little Tokyo, 244 South San Pedro St., between 2nd and 3rd Street. Click here for more information.
Here is a clip of Kenny:
3. The third show features Cambodian music and dance, presented Saturday, March 26th, in Long Beach, which has the largest Cambodian community outside of Cambodia. Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and her husband John Shapiro have been presenting Cambodian music and dance shows here and in Phnom Penh for over two decades, and they are committed to keeping Khmer traditions alive and flourishing. Cambodian culture and traditions were practically exterminated during the Khmer Rouge holocaust of 1975-9.
Here is the event information:
KHMER ARTS SHOWCASE
An intimate afternoon of exquisite dance, delicious nibbles and compelling conversation celebrating the work of Khmer Arts in the community and beyond.
Saturday, March 26, from 3 to 5 pm
1364 Obispo Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90804
Call 562-472-0090 or write info@khmerarts.org for more information and tickets.
Here is a performance by the Khmer Arts Academy: Cambodian dance, though slow, requires tremendous strength, poise, and stamina. It’s easier to move fast than slow. Even the hand positions depict the various stages of the life cycle. The group performed at the opening gala of Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2003, a showcase I was pleased to help bring about.
