Cultural Assemblies are just one of the ways that the PFA helps to broaden our children's educational experience. Through all these varied presentations, our children learn tolerance, acceptance of others, and the joy of sharing each others’ cultures. Here is a schedule of our upcoming Cultural Assemblies for the 2011-2012 academic year: Samite of Uganda WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 A brilliant and inspiring musician, Samite takes students back to his homeland in Africa with melodic and sensual sounds played on flute, kalimba and litungu. Samite was born and raised in Uganda, where his grandfather taught him to play traditional African flute before his fingers were long enough to cover all the sound holes. When he was twelve, a music teacher placed a western flute in his hands—setting him on his way to becoming one of East Africa’s most acclaimed flutists. He sings in a bright, sweet tenor, accompanied by his extended family of thumb pianos and percussion instruments that have come to him at different points during his travels. Samite wraps his warm voice around melodies that seem to rise up off the Ugandan plateau, caressed by his kalimbas and other native instruments. Michael Katz WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
Storyteller Michael Katz is a founding member of the popular BOXTALES storytelling/theater troupe, and his solo performances feature his own highly animated style of storytelling. Michael has been telling for 15 years, has performed throughout California and the U.S., and hosts his own storytelling radio program on the South and Central Coast called "Katz Pajamas."
Viver Brasil, Dance and Music Company THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
This Los Angeles-based ensemble was founded in 1997 and is committed to cultivating Afro-Brazilian dance and music traditions. The company has developed a body of work that represents the traditional and contemporary Afro-Brazilian dance and music experience. The company received the prestigious Lester Horton Dance Award in 2000 for outstanding achievement in company performance/non-Western dance. The performance is exciting, educational and entertaining with beautiful costumes, unusual instruments and acrobatics.
Bill Harley TUESDAY, MARCH 27
A Grammy-winning storyteller, musician and author, Bill Harley is known for his ability to delight students of all ages with his unique blend of song and story. Bringing insight and humor to his observations about growing up and parenting like no other performer, Harley’s concerts feature original material about today’s world. Entertainment Weekly calls Harley “the Mark Twain of Kid’s Music.” Familiar to many adults as a regular commentator on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Harley has released over 20 recordings of songs and stories for kids and families. Touring nationally since 1980, Harley learned his craft through thousands of performances, festival appearances, school assemblies and conferences. Harley is a recipient of the “Circle of Excellence Award,” the highest honor bestowed on a storyteller. As Child Magazine says, “There are lots of performing artists out there singing and stomping and storytelling their way into kids’ CD players, but few do it with as much spirit and success as Bill Harley.”
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