Artists

Mansaku-no-Kai Kyogen Company

Driven by a desire to cultivate dignity and respect for all, Culture Shock's 50 member ensemble presents a fully staged theatrical work FOR ALL PEOPLE that not only showcases their enormous talent, but inspires your faith in the next generation.

The language of hip hop brings into focus conflicts we face at this difficult time in history, in seeking an answer, dancer Jackie Lopez says, “Hope is one of the most important things we have in this life.” The champion hip hop dancers of Versa-Style aspire not only for brilliance in physical technique but also an emanation of self respect and self hood in the production BOX OF HOPE.

Five of Canada's foremost African musicians perform for the first time in Los Angeles offering a lush array of styles, from the nomadic West African sound of Alpha Yaya Diallo to the Malagasy-inspired blues of Madagascar Slim.

After living as a political refugee for sixteen years, master composer and percussionist Kyaw Kyaw Naing returns to Burma to assemble a world class group of musicians for this concert.

Performances of the south Indian Classical dance -Bharata Natyam by the LA based Shakti Dance Company thrill and captivate, but the ultimate goal is to inspire transformation- an experience known as rasa.

Vijayalakshmi exemplifies the technique of the unique and extraordinary dance form- Mohiniyattam from Kerala, Southern India. Powerful women characters take center stage as she makes a conscious attempt to highlight those aspects of gentle grace and femininity that are seldom explored.

Featuring: Rina Mehta, Rachna Nivas, Shefali Jain. The collective force of three senior disciples who trained with the late Kathak dancer Pt. Chitresh Das is an expression of their deep respect for his legacy and the opulent radiance of Kathak dance from Northern India.

Rahul Acharya belongs to a new generation of male Odissi dancers from India. He began his training at the age of 4 with Durga Charan in Odisha, Eastern India. While Odissi is performed primarily by women, Acharya is the first male Odissi dancer honored by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

On Ensemble is at the forefront of a growing artistic movement in the taiko world. Founded by childhood friends Shoji Kameda and Masato Baba, On Ensemble infuses the powerful rhythms of taiko with overtone singing, odd meter grooves and soaring melodies.

Taking their cues from traditional roots music of Colombia, Haiti, Belize, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, Buyepongo create a vibrant sound that seamlessly fuses merengue, punta and cumbia. The group's pulse and power is built around the drum and guacharaca which giving them an upbeat flare.

Mamak Khadem is the consummate artistic pioneer, dedicating her performing career to exploring the mystical connections between voice and Sufi poetry. She captivates audiences by blending her roots in the ancient poetry and music of the Persian masters with a bold and revolutionary new sound.

Navarasa has performed at the Bates Dance Festival, Lincoln Center, NJPAC and East West Players, Teesri Duniya Theater- Canada, Amol Palekhar’s Theatre Festival and Bahuroopi- India, and Cirque du Soleil's Franco Dragone’s theatrical work in Germany.

Viver Brasil founded in 1997 by Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró, is deeply rooted in the African heritage of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and embodies the beautiful and mythic stories of Afro-Brazilian culture. They are regarded as the premier West Coast Brazilian dance organization.

Blessed with a songbird’s voice, a poet’s heart and an entertainer’s vision, Moraes is the complete package. Since leaving Rio de Janeiro in the 80's, Kátia Moraes has been offering alluring and captivating songs to the rest of the world.

Sumie Kaneko is a Japanese Koto & Shamisen Player and Singer-Songwriter recognized for creating haunting alluring soundscapes by moving effortlessly between the worlds of Japanese classical music and the New York jazz avant-garde scene.

The faculty of Dance and Karawitan (Classical Javanese Gamelan) at Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta (ISI) is considered the most distinguished group of Javanese performing arts professionals in Indonesia.

California Institute of the Arts Javanese Gamelan Kyai Doro Dasih (The Honorable Dream Come True) has a distinguished history of over forty years of continuous study and performance.

In 1982, Waldemar Bastos arrived in Portugal fleeing Angola where a brutal civil war was under way. His heartfelt signature piece “Sofrimento” speaks of the people’s struggle for freedom — a message inspired by his own political imprisonment.

Kaoru Watanabe, a former member and artistic director of the renowned taiko ensemble KODO, is North America’s leading practitioner of the shinobue (Japanese transverse flute) and a master of improvisation and contemporary jazz.

Born into working-class Los Angeles communities, La Chamba amplifies the realities that make them who they are by adding a rhythm to the daily bustle of life.

Eduardo Martínez Arvilla was born in Cartagena, Colombia. Immersed in Afro-Colombian drumming since he was a young boy, Eduardo is a current Master Artist for Alliance for California Traditional Arts.

Critically acclaimed and loved by the L.A. community, Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts is committed to presenting, promoting and preserving the richness and diversity of Philippine culture through dance and music.

Moira Smiley is a singer / composer whose work for vocal ensembles, dance, theater and film feature spare, vocally driven collections of warped traditional songs, original polyphony and the playful energy of body percussion.

Tzvetanka and Ivan Varimezov -- the “Pied Pipers of Bulgarian music" -- are recognized around the world as living masters of Bulgarian Folk music. They tour extensively and teach across Europe and America.

Kenny Endo celebrates 40 years of touring and performing his unique radical Japanese Taiko rhythms held together by Japanese, Western and Afro-Cuban influences. Specials guests from U.S. & Japan.

Considered a star in India, dancer and choreographer, Mythili Prakash is known for her exquisite beauty and exacting technique. Her performances always thrill and captivate, but her ultimate goal is for the beauty of her dance to inspire transformation- an experience known as rasa.

Born to Mexican immigrants from Guadalajara Jalisco, the Familia Gonzalez is held in highest esteem in the Los Angeles community. Their Mexican and Chicano sounds cross over multiple music scenes.

Impeccable musicianship channeled by Aditya Prakash's artistic vision and vocal leadership result in craft layers of sound, rhythm, and poetry. Aditya Prakash Ensemble's sheer talent and energy bring our worlds closer.

Lovingly preserved the gentle, gracious heritage of Hawaiian music and dance. LA’s most treasured artist- Kumu Keali'i Ceballos calls forth the messages from ancestors and leads his 70 member ensemble into new artistic & spiritual territory. Special guest musician from Hilo, Kuana Torres Kahele.