school assemblies program > INTERNATIONAL & multicultural

Irish Music and Dance – The Cultural Connection
Deb Carstensen and Molly Bennett
Showcasing music, dance and clothing from the Irish tradition, this program will touch on the history of the dance and music and how it has influenced the culture and art in our country. Students will get to enjoy the exciting and soulful music from Ireland, including Deb Carstensen's fiery fiddle. Deb performs around Colorado and plays regularly for Irish and traditional American dances. Molly Bennett, the founder of the Bennett School of Irish Dance, will demonstrate Irish dancing, including jigs, reels and hornpipes. Molly also makes the beautifully ornate and intricate Irish dance dresses for competition and will bring examples of these to the performance.
For Ages: K-8

Max Group: 300

Price:  $320 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $150 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

Rhythm: A Multi-cultural Music Experience & More!
Ed Contreras & Chad Johnson
This exciting assembly explores rhythm as it has come out of Africa through the Caribbean, Brazil and up through the Americas. Participants will see how various rhythms have contributed to today's popular sounds. Through lecture, demonstration and hands on participation, students will not only learn about rhythm, but will hopefully gain an appreciation for other cultures. Instruments include Djembe, Congas, Bongos, Caxixi, Cajon, Cuica, Bells and more!
CMCS: History 3; Music 1, 3, 4, 5
For Ages: Elementary, Middle, and High School

Max Group: 300

Price:  $385 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $190 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

Peace Wrestling - Stories of Peace
Susan Kaplan
Create a more peaceful classroom and a school wide atmosphere with these multicultural folktales and true tales of peacemaking and nonviolence. Sometimes we "wrestle" with doing the right thing and these stories will illustrate how to create greater peace, such as how to reduce anger, develop stronger friendships, get unstuck from conflict, solve problems nonviolently, and help us find our similarities. These wisdom tales reflect ideas, skills, and strategies. Upper grades can add The Third Side of Peace- Finding Common Ground stories into this program. Extensive bibliography and teacher packet of activities is available.

This program supports social skill training, literacy goals and school wide programs such as Second Step Anti Bully, Character Development, Title 1, and Youth at Risk Programs.   This performance can also be expanded to include interactive workshops (with students, parents, and teachers), collaborative Literacy program with Librarian, Peace Day Event, or Artist in Residency Program. Consider this performance for a December Holiday Peace On Earth program, and can also be expanded for a family or parent program.  (Musicians Julie Davis or Carla Sciaky can be added to this program).

For Ages: K-12

Max Group: Flexible

Price:  $250 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $125 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

(Assembly with musician:  $385 base + 10 cents per student for 1st assembly; $190 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day)

Sound Ideas From The Pacific Rim
Michael Stanwood
Lessons in geography, social studies, languages, even clothing - all through the back door of wondrous musical instruments that Michael has collected in his travels. An Asian khaen, an Australian didgeridu, and Indonesian angklungs, nose flutes - he plays them all and wants you to play them too in this unique, interactive, and often hilarious program. Michael is a former musical goodwill ambassador for the U.S. State Department, and five-time winner of Westword's Best of Denver award for his recordings and his performances, he brings a joy and excitement to this popular presentation that Emerson School in Phoenix called; "A masterful mix of education and entertainment."
For Ages: Grades K - 8

Max Group: Flexible

Price:  $350 base + 10 cents per student for first assembly

           $225 base + 10 cents per student for add'l assembly on same day

The Swallow Hill Traveling Folk Troupe
Julie Davis, Ed Contreras, Brian Mullins, and Scott Smith
The Swallow Hill Traveling Folk Troupe is a multicultural program designed for elementary schools that uses music to teach subjects including geography and history. The program includes an exciting full school assembly, blending education and entertainment, a packet of classroom activities (with a CD) that support various Colorado Model Content Standards, and activities booklets for each student.
The Troupe performs an inspiring variety of music from America and around the world. Musical styles and traditions include Blues, Irish, Caribbean, Reggae, Indian, Bluegrass, Appalachian, Australian, and much more. Children are given an introduction to a vast array of folk instruments including autoharp, guitar, fiddle, banjo, pennywhistle, dulcimer, steel drum, bodhran, accordian, and percussion from around the world.
For Ages: K-6

Max Group: Designed as a full school program for as many students as will fit into performance space
Program Cost: $1200 base + 10 cents per student

  Troupe Host Schools pay only 10 cents per student