For Immediate Release: July 18, 2013
Media Contact: Marketing and Communication Department
Free Summer Concerts
National Building Museum Partners with Washington Performing Arts Society
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| Members of the WPAS Summer Steps with Step Afrika! perform at the Museum. Photo courtesy Chris Burch photography/WPAS. |
WHAT
The National Building Museum and the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) have teamed up to present free concerts every Sunday at 2 pm this July and August. The concerts, held in the Museum's historic Great Hall, give attendees the chance to see performers and musicians affiliated with the National Medal of Arts winner. WPAS is only the fourth D.C.-based arts group to receive this honor, bestowed by President Barack Obama.
This summer's concerts feature:
- Luis Garay Percussion World: Percussion World Ensemble’s blend of South American, Caribbean, and African rhythms introduces audiences to such exotic instruments as the balofone, djembe, cuica, steel drum, Berimbao, talking drums, and congas. The audience participates throughout the performance with rhythmic clapping and playing percussive instruments with the performers.
- KanKouran West African Dance Company: KanKouran showcases the dances and instruments of Senegal, Ghana, and Mali. The audience explores nonverbal means of communication and participation through dance and percussive instruments, and learns African cultural traditions through the arts. Accompanied by the djembe and doundoun drums, the dancers also use such instruments as the balaphone and shekere.
- WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir: Formed in 1993 to celebrate the tradition and inspirational roots of gospel music on America’s main stages, WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir engages the audience through messages of hope and unique performance style, featuring works by local and national composers.
- WPAS Summer Steps w/ Step Afrika!: Join us for a lively dance showcase of up-and-coming youth talent as part of Washington Performing Arts Society's Summer Steps w/ Step Afrika! camp. Led by members of Step Afrika!, the young dancers will perform the traditions of stepping and other percussive dance styles.
WHERE
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line)
Free. Drop in programs.
WHEN
Sunday, July 21, 2 pm: Luis Garay Percussion World
Sunday, July 28, 2 pm: Kan Kouran West African Dance Company
Sunday, August 4, 2 pm: WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir
Sunday, August 11, 2 pm: WPAS Summer Steps with Step Afrika!
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
