Various world music concert presenters are seeking ways to make connections across cultural lines in their own communities. Rarely do successful techniques for crossing borders within North American communities get discussed. We kick off this periodic series on Bridging Gaps with a pulse check with a handful of presenters who are reaching out across cultural lines. We asked:
With what "ethnic communities" have you made the closest connections as a venue? How did that come about specifically?
Jeremy Shubrook, Production Manager for Performing Arts, Music, & Film, The Cleveland Museum of Art, OH:
Our most regular connection has been with the Latino community in Cleveland and surrounding areas. We've been able to tap into a few very effective bilingual email list serves and also been able to purchase very reasonably priced advertisements in print media that serves the region. I've had some personal connection with the local Latino community for a number of years. For example I belong to a Yahoo group called Communidad Latina Cleveland. Because of that I can post relevant shows on the group. Also Cuyahoga Community College has an annual Hispanic Heritage Month (actually covers August-November) calendar and website (year round) that runs our events in the months that correspond. We're constantly trying to connect with other ethnicities and have worked with local and/or regional Hungarian, Indian, Irish, Lebanese, Korean, Persian, and Turkish groups, just to name a few.
Dugg Simpson, Artistic Director, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, BC:
This year, we did a program called Indiaspora 2 bringing artists from across Canada and the UK working out of South Asian roots with local professional and community Bhangra artists. We worked with the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration to bring almost 100 community and professional artists to the stage as part of a program, that included Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Salil Bhatt, Najma, Lal and others. It was the latest in a series of programs collaborating with people from the Persian, Metis, First Nations, Chinese, Japanese, Roma and South-Asian Canadian communities here. Each project has been a fast lane, cultural catch-up immersion program for everyone involved and everyone's come away from the weekend feeling like something special got done together. How did that come about specifically? Curiousity, generosity, a shared passion for music, dance, food, laughter and a mutual desire to share these passions with new audiences.
Larry Gold, Creative Director, SOBs, New York, NY:
We have the strongest ties to the Haitian community. we have been promoting haitian music for over 20 years, have advertised in all their media, support many events and spread the praise of Haitian culture. On top of this, we have hired a Haitian promoter with strong ties to the community.
Yatrika Shah-Rais, Music Director/Asst. Program Director, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA:
We have made close connections to the Mexican, French, Finnish, Uzbeki, Polish, Austrian, Persian and Indian communities as a result of booking acts from their countries, doing community outreach, placing ads in their local media and newspapers, and establishing connections with those who have Consulates in Los Angeles.
Judy Tsang, Associate Director of Programming, Stern Grove Festival Association, San Francisco, CA:
We’re in connection to many. In particular, we have a close connection to the Latin and Asian & Pacific Islander community because these are two large immigrant populations in the Bay Area. Part of our mission is to program a diverse season that represents the diversity of our community.
Kristen Sbrogna, Programming and Booking Manager, Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, Berkeley, CA:
Jamaican, African, Balkan--each through featuring music from their homeland.
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