The 45-minute assembly consists of a live, interactive performance that provides students an opportunity to learn about Hispanic performing arts with multicultural roots that extend far beyond the Americas. Music and dance from Spain contain influences from the ancient Phoenician, Celtic, Grecian and Roman eras, the Middle East, North Africa, India, the Caribbean, South America and the three great Western Religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Students will see examples of dances from Spain's Gypsy flamenco heritage, its theater tradition and its classical repertoire. The dances include uniquely Spanish props such as castanets, a shawl (manton), fan and a bullfighter's cape. Audience participation is incorporated throughout the program. From their seats students learn “jaleos,” such as Bravo and Olé, how to do palmas (hand clap to rhythm), and execute flamenco hand and arm movements. One volunteer is chosen to go onstage to act as the bull in the dance Paso Doble, and students always find this hilarious. At show's end volunteers are invited onstage to join the performers in a simple rumba flamenca danced with scarves. A teacher's manual is provided.
Optional 30-minute in-classroom workshops are available, and serve to provide a more hands-on, detailed, in-depth introduction to the assembly experience. For example, when possible students get an opportunity to learn to play the castanets (I bring them).
The assembly program and workshops are certified by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission (year 2007), and conform to the requirements for Standards-based arts education for grades K-12.
Mission: To make the arts a part of children's lives for the skills they impart, the cultural knowledge they convey, and above all for the joy they bring.