2004-2005 | Highlights From the School Year

Sudha Bhagwat, Friday, January 7, 2005

Sudha Bhagwat will be presenting 2 performances about India: its culture, costumes, and classical dance. Parents, caregivers, and well-behaved siblings are invited to attend either the 10:45am show (a.m. K, grades 4 & 5) or the 1:30pm show (p.m. K, grades 1-3) in the gym. The shows last approximately 45 minutes.

Reporters from the Bonanza Star are invited to write articles about this performance. Exposure to this fascinating region may help students with the Geography Bee. More information about this program is available in the study guide listed below.

Sudha Bhagwat Study Guide (MS Word, 64k)

The Wild Zappers - "Let's Sign Dance", Friday, March 11

An all deaf, male dance company will introduce students to American Sign Language, Sign Song and Dance in deaf culture.

More information about this program is available in the study guide listed below.

Wild Zappers Study Guide (MS Word, 152k)

Performance times: 1:15 pm (K-2) & 2:15 pm (3-5)

Almost Recess - "All About A Capella", Friday, April 29

A different all-male group performs 5-6 songs, some original some remakes. "Band" members describe the history and voice-parts of the art form (all instrumental sounds are created by voice alone), how they create & arrange their music, all about vocal "drumming," and will have students create themes for original songs.

Almost Recess Study Guide (MS Word, 64k)

Performance times: 1:00 pm (3-5) & 2:00 pm (K-2)

Kevin Reese - "A Perfect Balance", Thursday, May 26

A multi-media, solo performance inspired by the work of American artist Alexander Calder (creator of mobiles seen in East Wing of our own National Gallery of Art), this play celebrates the creative process - its highs and lows, its questions and connections, its innovations and discoveries. Performance also contains puppet-like circus creations representing a muse, a friend, and a critic. Surprise creation at the end of the show. This show is possible on Thursday because instrumental music will already have had its performance and end-of-the year party the week before.

Performance times: 10:30am (K-2) and 1:30pm (K, 3-5)

For further information about any of these performances, please call 301-229-9506 or email questions to the PTA Cultural Arts Committee Chair.

About | Cultural Arts Programs

The Cultural Arts programs are typically scheduled on Friday afternoons, so as to be least disruptive to Reading Initiative in the lower grades, and Math and Specials in the upper grades. We tend to schedule programs that feature cultural arts to which the children may not yet have had access, rather than just bringing in entertainment or messages that they may have seen repeatedly through popular culture.

Highlights from the past include Footworks, a dance company that uses the most inventive objects to create rhythm and dance; The Georgia Sea Islands Singers, who perform music and describe the gullah language, history, and culture of former slaves; Shizumi, who demonstrates Japanese culture through costume, dance, swordplay, and a delightful sense of humor; and Yvette Lewis, an opera singer who was so popular with the children that the PTA brought her back last year as our Artist-in-Residence, leading to an all-school opera showcase after a week of rehearsal.

Most of our performers provide study guides in advance of their shows. These guides feature pre- and post-performance questions and references to help teachers prepare the students for what they are about to see, or to allow motivated students to follow-up their interest with supplementary activities or materials. When available, these study-guides will be posted on-line here at this web-site.

Another goal of our program is to provide books, DVDs, CDs, and videos for our Media Center that supplement what the children have learned from our performances. Teachers and/or children and parents can check-out these materials for use in the classroom or home.

Please keep checking back at this page, because the schedule will be posted here when it is available.

If you have further questions, or are interested in joining the PTA Cultural Arts committee, please contact the PTA Cultural Arts Committee Chair or call 301-229-9506.