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2005 Highlights

February 2005

Cultural Representative/Cultural Envoy

Cultural Envoy Wows Audience in Tunis: Pianist Thomas Rosenkranz from Brooklyn, NY was asked to return to Tunis, where he performed two concerts. This invitation was a result of his previous visits to Tunisia as a Cultural Envoy and American Pianist Association Fellow. The concerts featured compositions derived from a Tunisian-American musical collaboration that fused Arab and occidental music. There was extensive press coverage stressing the musical and cultural harmony. The Ambassador hosted a reception and a small concert to honor this collaboration. The group is now exploring future possibilities, including recording an album in Paris and collaboration with BBC World Music.

Grant Opportunities

Iraqi Soprano Participates in ECA Sponsored Program at Carnegie Hall: Iraqi soprano Bann Jamil returned to Baghdad on February 2, after participating in an intensive two-week choral workshop at Carnegie Hall sponsored through an ECA grant. Ms. Jamil was encouraged to apply for the Professional Training Workshop by Hisham Sharaf, Director of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra (INSO) who conducted the INSO and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy in December 2004.Ms. Jamil's program included workshops presented by Marilyn Horne, reading sessions with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and rehearsals and open master classes at Juilliard.  The program benefits emerging musicians worldwide through Professional Training Workshops presented by well-known American performing artists. The Workshops foster cultural and musical exchange among artists.

Vilar Fellows in Arts Management Have Lasting Impact: The Vilar Fellowship program of arts management training at the Kennedy Center, whose international participants have been supported by ECA, has had important impact on arts administration throughout the world:

Nora Amin (2003-2004), from Egypt, is now the general coordinator of the Center of Theater in Conflict Zones. This is a three-year project that will use performing arts to support for peace building, reconciliation and development in post civil war Sudan.
Martin Pechanec (2002-2003), Head of the Department of Musical Programs in the Office of the President of the Czech Republic, is implementing management ideas he learned during his program at the Kennedy Center.
Pan Yong (2001-2002), currently a deputy at the new National Grand Theater of China, has brought ideas he learned at the Kennedy Center on development, marketing, and strategic planning to Chinese arts organizations. He has been responsible for translating Michael Kaiser's strategic planning book into Chinese and bringing Kaiser to lead an in-depth seminar for arts administrators from throughout China.

Visual Arts

Theater-Goers Stop and Study African American Dance Exhibit in Tartu, Estonia: The Vanemuine Theater, the leading drama and dance venue in Estonia's second largest city of Tartu, is currently hosting the poster series on African-American dance, "As the Spirit Moves," in honor of African-American history month. Theater management reports that visitors have been clustered around this lively and informative display. The show provides the people of Tartu, a city with few people of color, an opportunity to learn about the invaluable African-American contribution to U.S. arts.

Estonians Pull Over to See "American Roadside Architecture": Architectural historian and photographer John Margolies spoke to an audience of Estonian artists and architects at the Estonian Museum of Architecture in Tallinn. He spoke about architecture and his exhibit "Main Street, USA" to students and faculty of the Estonian Academy of the Arts; and later that day about "Palaces of Dreams: U.S. Movie Theaters" to a public audience at the museum. Mr. Margolies gave interviews to writers from "Areen," the supplement to Estonia's most popular weekly and to the Estonian magazine "Maja".

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March 2005

Visual Arts/Film

Academy Award Winning RAY Represents U.S. at Africa's Fespaco Film Festival and Launches Black History Month Commemorations: Acclaimed Ray Charles film RAY starring Academy Award winner Jaime Foxx is the U.S. Embassy's entry at the Pan African Film Festival FESPACO, taking place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. RAY was screened in the festival's World Films section. Last month, U.S. missions in South Africa and Kenya hosted special advance premiere screenings of RAY to kick off African-American History Month. The special high-level screenings were held at commercial movies theaters in Nairobi, Capetown, Durban, and Johannesburg during which U.S. officials praised Ray Charles' contributions to American music and society.

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May 2006

Performing Arts Programs/Performing Arts Initiative

Cultural Envoy Ntare Mwine Helps Kenyan Theater Groups Fight AIDS: Ugandan-American actor/playwright Ntare Mwine from Los Angeles strengthened the ability of community theater groups in Kenya to combat HIV/AIDS, through advocacy workshops co-sponsored by PATH (the Gates Foundation's local NGO). The program reached Muslim youth in coastal cities. Mr. Mwine uses innovative techniques in drama, music, and traditional culture to address the pandemic. His visit was featured in a segment on Kenya television's arts program "Arts Scene."

Jazz Artist Marshall Keys Connects with Most Influential Guinean Youth: Washington, D.C., jazz artist Marshall Keys participated in workshops, youth outreach, and performances at the Second Annual International Jazz Festival of Guinea. The Post reported that Mr. Marshall connected particularly with a group of young rappers, "who are among the most influential individuals in their age-group," and commented that "at a time when no one knows what the future holds for Guinea, the success of this memorable program is likely to be a lasting treasure for all participants."

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June 2005

Performing Arts Programs/Performing Arts Initiative

First U.S. Bluegrass Band in Azerbaijan Draws Hundreds: Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Band played and held workshops for hundreds of students and enthusiasts in Azerbaijan. The Hillbilly Bluegrass Band hosted workshops for Baku Music School #2 and the Baku Music College, where the band and Azeri student musicians performed their own traditional music and ended by playing together in an informal jam session. The Big Hillbilly Band performed the first ever Bluegrass concert in Azerbaijan at the Baku Jazz Center for enthusiastic crowds that cheered and danced to the music. The Band ended its three-day visit with a concert/reception at the U.S. Ambassador's residence, and a well-known Azeri violinist was invited to join the Americans in performing their final piece.

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

Cultural Envoy Tetzlaff Helps Lebanese: In Lebanon Lydia Tetzlaff of the New York-based Battery Dance Company, taught dancers of the Maqamat Dance Company and the Caracallah Dance troupe. One participant commented that Ms. Tetzlaff was "showing us we can make changes to ourselves and push boundaries with dance." The Daily Star, Lebanon's premier English-language newspaper, carried a story on Ms. Tetzlaff headlined "Promoting Positive Ties with U.S. via Artists."

Visual Arts/Biennales

Public/Private Partnership Promotes Artist Ed Ruscha at the U.S. Pavilion at Venice Biennale: The Venice Biennale, now in its 51st edition, is considered the world's most important international arts event. The Department of State selected Mr. Ruscha as the featured American artist in this year's Biennale on the recommendation of a special advisory committee composed of the directors of four major American museums. The Broad Art Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Lehman Brothers, and Hugo Boss, among several other sponsors, joined with the State Department to sponsor the event. Major U.S. papers have reported on Ed Ruscha's exhibition at the U.S. Pavilion of the Venice Biennale. Anarticle in the Washington Post's Style section on June 13 wrote that "Ruscha has achieved the Holy Grail of Biennale art: to make work about the place you come from and stand for, while also making work that speaks to where it's being shown." Carol Vogel quoted Ruscha in the New York Times, saying that the work "reflects [his] feelings about American industry... It's about then and now." In a brief interview with the New York Times on June 12, Ruscha said he "feel[s] like a scared rabbit [representing the U.S. at the Biennale]. But it's nice to be able to proclaim the legitimacy of the good ol' U.S.A."

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July 2005

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

Cultural Envoy in Colombia: Cultural Envoy Frank "Pancho" Romero, Professor of Music at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, showed 75 band directors and young musicians how to reach out to develop the talents of disadvantaged youth. Workshops took place in Pasto and Pereira, Colombia, two key cities in Colombia's NATIONAL plan, supported by the U.S. Embassy, to strengthen municipal bands as a mechanism for supporting youth leadership in drug-affected regions. Professor Romero's workshops and concerts in the communities demonstrated that musical exchanges help build local attitudes in favor of freedom of expression and support artistic creativity in schools and community organizations.

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August 2005

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

Filmmakers Brad Silberling ( l ) and Alexander Payne ( r ) and Sarajevo festival director Miro Purivatra at August 22 reception at U.S. Ambassador McElhaney's residence.

Cultural Envoy Alexander Payne Meets Film Students at Sarajevo Film Festival: Academy Award-winning writer and director Alexander Payne is attending the Sarajevo Film Festival for a special tribute in his honor and to meet with film students from Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere in the region. Mr. Payne is conducting seminars and workshops for the students on filmmaking and script development and introducing screenings of his films. Film schools in Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina nominated about 35 students to participate in the program with Payne, who won an Academy Award this past year for his script for the film "Sideways." He also directed the films "About Schmidt" and "Election."

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September 2005

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

U.S. Video Artist Engages Young Egyptian Artists While Preparing for Cairo Exhibit: Video art pioneer Gary Hill established quick rapport with young Egyptian video artists in September, interacting with them in group and one-on-one discussions on artistic technique and philosophy. Hill met the young artists while in Cairo to film footage he will incorporate into a new work being created for exhibition there. Hill took on some of the young artists as local assistants, providing them with the rare opportunity of working and learning from someone of his expertise.

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Ambassador

Debbie Allen and Company in Chennai

Cultural Ambassador Inspires, Touches Lives and Forms Lasting Relationships in India: Cultural Ambassador Debbie Allen's visit to India was a great example of cultural exchange at its best, according to Embassy reports. The visit left a lasting impression on students and received wide media coverage. Ms. Allen's first stop was Mumbai, where she taught a series of five master classes and reached a total of 180 young and talented aspiring dancers, all between the ages of 5 and 25. In Mumbai, Ms. Allen was honored in "A Tribute to Debbie Allen," organized by Shiamak Davar, India's premiere dance choreographer. Mr. Davar repeatedly referred to Debbie Allen as his guru and credited her for the inspiration in starting his own dance company. Students in Ms. Allen's master classes used terms like "inspirational" and "awesome" to describe their experiences with her. In Chennai, Ms. Allen led a series of jazz and hip-hop dance workshops, which were attended by members of Chennai's leading dance companies, who were thrilled with the opportunity to learn the latest techniques and moves. She also led workshops that included young children who have been recently initiated into dance; and she took the opportunity to visit a renowned Indian classical dance school and to interact with the leading Indian icons of dance. The Embassy wrote that "although Debbie Allen brought her expertise and talents to the country she also left having formed lasting friendships and the promise of future collaborative efforts that will no doubt bring the two countries closer through our cultural endeavors.

Visual Arts/Traveling Exhibition

American Roadside Architecture Exhibit in Canberra, Australia

Margolies Exhibition in Canberra: The U.S. Embassy in Canberra is showing a photographic exhibition by American John Margolies, in partnership with the Canberra Centre (a premium downtown retail center). The photographic exhibition, which began on September 27, as part of the American Roadside Architecture series, is assembled under the auspices of the Department of State and comprises high-resolution color photos divided into three sections describing the early architecture of gas stations, roadside lodging, restaurants, and eateries. The exhibit coincides with Floriade, Canberra's signature spring festival and peak tourism event. During its first week, over 130,000 local residents and visitors alike viewed the exhibit. By the time the exhibit closes on October 16, more than 350,000 people are expected to have seen this romantic and whimsical take on America's motoring past.

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October 2005

Performing Arts Programs/Performing Arts Initiative

American Hip Hop Group Reaches Over 5000 Young Bolivians with its Message Against Drugs and Violence: The U.S. hip hop and break dancing group Havikoro gave presentations and workshops for rapt audiences of young, generally poor Bolivians in four cities in Bolivia. The highlight of the tour, was a hip hop festival in La Paz featuring Havikoro and local Bolivian rap/break dancing groups that brought together over 4,000 young Bolivians and Americans. Other events included a workshop for 400 poor students in Santa Cruz, a public presentation for 600 young people in Cochabamba, and similar events for underprivileged youth in El Alto.

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

Cultural Arts Management Envoy Unites Namibian Cultural Community: Cultural Envoy Wendy Ceccherelli united a divided and dispirited arts community during her visit to Namibia,meeting with all the country's leading arts managers and funders. Ms. Ceccherelli, President of Non-Profit Resources in Seattle and former Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs for Tampa, Florida, succeeded in bringing the cultural community together to work toward the common goal of promoting Namibian arts. Between 50 and 60 cultural leaders attended each of the four workshops Ms. Ceccherelli held during her three-week visit, which began several days after the first meeting of Namibia's new National Arts Council.

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November 2005

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

Producer Michael Fitzgerald, center, in Almaty

Film Producer Michael Fitzgerald and U.S. Film Festival in Almaty Result in Tangible Benefits for U.S.-Kazakhstani Cooperation: A special screening of Cannes award winner The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, introduced by Cultural Envoy Michael Fitzgerald, kicked off Embassy Almaty's first American Film Festival in November. Combining a film retrospective, master classes by Fitzgerald for film students, and meetings he held with local filmmakers, the festival will likely result in the production of Fitzgerald's next film in Kazakhstan. The festival was organized to show U.S. support for Kazakhstan's efforts to revitalize its film industry and to give Kazakhstani audiences a view of contemporary American independent filmmaking. In addition to The Three Burials - for which special permission was granted to show the film in Almaty prior to its official release in the U.S. - the other Fitzgerald films screened included Wiseblood, Under the Volcano, Mister Johnson, and The Pledge.all departures from blockbuster movies and other U.S. films typically seen in Kazakhstan. After each screening, Fitzgerald discussed the films with the audience, pointing out themes universal to both Americans and Kazakhstanis. Students at Fitzgerald's master classes and screenings spread the word about the festival, and the size of the audiences grew successively, exceeding expectations. Many film students and young film professionals gave Fitzgerald their scripts, which he took with him to read and critique.

Special Initiatives/New Orleans Jazz Heritage Tours

New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Collective together with a group of Sri Lankan drummers and dancers who opened the shows.

Mardi Gras Indians Share Thanks with Sri Lankan Artists: The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Collective gave two performances in Colombo, performing together with Sri Lankan dancers and drummers who had been victims of the 2004 tsunami. Ambassador Lunstead, who thanked Sri Lanka for its immediate assistance to the U.S. following Hurricane Katrina, hosted the performances. The post reported that " the performances generated tremendous interest and acclaim in Colombo. The shows demonstrated the vitality and exuberance of a historical slice of American culture, and highlighted both USG assistance to Sri Lanka following the Tsunami as well as Sri Lanka's aid to Hurricane Katrina victims." The main performance was rebroadcast on national TV, bringing our message of thanks and hope to millions more. The U.S. musicians also performed in India and the United Arab Emirates.

New Orleans Brass Band Wows Kuwaitis, Brings Thanks for Katrina Help: The New Orleans All-Star Brass Band brought its cheerful message of thanks and hope to Kuwaiti audiences on Thanksgiving Day. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, Sheik Mohammed Al-Sabah, accepted a plaque from U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Matthew Tueller, commemorating Kuwait's $500 million assistance for Katrina relief. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, in country as part of a delegation of governors visiting their states' troops in the region, joined in thanking the Kuwaitis, reportedly speaking in Kuwaiti Arab with a Southern drawl. The post reports that the band's performance "left the audience appreciative of the need to support the rebirth of New Orleans and its cultural heritage."

Jazz trumpeter Marlon Jordan performing in Berlin.

New Orleans Jazz Group Performs Thank-You Concert in Berlin for Germans Who Aided Hurricane Katrina Victims: The Marlon Jordan Quartet gave a rousing concert for over 300 people at Berlin City Hall in gratitude to the German people for assisting Katrina victims in New Orleans. The audience included German students who raised money to aid storm victims and members of German pumping teams who helped drain flood waters from New Orleans. U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, who hosted the concert, said the Marlon Jordan Quartet represents all the talented musicians from the New Orleans area whose music is an integral part of the spiritual strength of the people of this region. He said restoring the cultural traditions and heritage of the Gulf Coast is as essential to its rebirth as is material assistance to alleviate suffering. "As we band together to offer humanitarian relief to all communities affected by natural disasters - whether in the U.S., Pakistan, Central America or Africa - it is important to offer help to repair the human spirit. What a wonderful reminder of our humanity, our genuine concern for other humans in times of trouble."

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Ambassadors

Cultural Ambassador Mary Wilson: Mary Wilson performed a series of concerts in three cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) and held meetings with young people throughout the country in her seven-day visit to the country. The concerts were a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. The wildly successful concerts, which attracted enthusiastic overflow standing room only audiences in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, were the talk of the country. Mary Wilson was also a keynote speaker at the USAID-funded Dayton commemoration Youth Conference (focused on youth empowerment) on Nov 12 that brought together over 600 young people from throughout the country. Her remarks inspired the audience to "Dare to Dream" and make their hopes for the future come true. Her story of rising above humble beginnings and racism to international stardom in pre-civil rights America had particular resonance in the ethnically divided country.

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December 2005

Cultural Representatives/Cultural Envoy

Janine Antoni and Hmong weavers in Luang Prabang

A Conversation in Thread in Laos: Noted artist Janine Antoni visited the Luang Prabang community arts project Quiet in the Land for one month beginning in late December. Antoni brought with her several family heirlooms; small pieces woven by her Caribbean grandmothers, and with them forged a relationship with the Hmong women weavers in the market. Antoni and the women are jointly weaving a work that incorporates their own histories and the histories of other Hmong women, creating a needlework bridge across linguistic and cultural barriers).

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