Press Release

Performance Highlights Cultures

Date: April 9, 2008

COLDWATER, MI—

The idea that even though cultures may be different, they have much in common is the concept behind a performance and activities at the Tibbits Opera House on Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m. as the public is invited to Celebrate Cultural Connections.

Tibbits has been working with MSU Extension 4-H programs, Altrusa International of Branch County, individuals from the community, exchange students as well as students from the community of various ethnic backgrounds.  The group has been working on a multi-faceted program helping students learn about the various cultures represented in our community.

Kits with teaching materials in different subject areas were prepared for each of the elementary schools in the district.  Then students from the program visited classrooms throughout the community to speak about their own culture and answer questions from the children.  The response has been very good from the speakers, the teachers and the children who demonstrated their interest in learning through thoughtful questions and discussions. Starting at 6 p.m., prior to the performance, Tibbits lower level gallery will have displays and activities of many cultures.  There will be an exhibit of children’s art from China, opportunities to see your name written in Arabic or Japanese characters, learn about school life in Germany and many other countries.

Starting at 7 p.m. a performance by two dance companies, Troupe Ta’amullat and Alma Española, will explore dance and music of the Near and Middle East and the Flamenco dance and music of Spain. The dancers will demonstrate the progression of influence of cultures on each other. 

Troupe Ta’amullat is a folklore-based dance group dedicated to presenting the dance, music and culture of North Africa, the Near East and Central Asia. Troupe Ta’amullat, which means “reflections,” is the oldest established multi-ethnic dance group in Michigan and is the first dance troupe recognized by the Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) and the Detroit International Institute. Founded in 1976, the company continues to win acclaim for its skill, authenticity and beautiful costuming.  

The Moorish influence on song and dance will be demonstrated by Alma Española, represented by a guitarist and two dancers.  The dancers, Julie Montes Pallares and Lisa Montes, are the granddaughters of Detroit’s late Dama Maria Del Carmen, the most recognized Spanish dance artist in Michigan.  They will use their exciting art form in this unique collaborative dance effort created specifically for the Creating Cultural Connections event. 

According to Christine Delaney, Tibbits Executive Director, “Art tends to be a melding of influences anyway, so showing the influences and evolution of cultures into art should be very exciting.  Hopefully this dance performance will create a deeper appreciation for every culture and how they influence each other.” 

Last year Tibbits brought in musicians who demonstrated how early American music, church hymns, slave spirituals and sounds of the Appalachian mountains evolved into jazz, blues, rock and roll and even rap.  This latest performance will similarly demonstrate the Arabic influence in Spain through the language and Flamenco music and dance.  Troupe Ta’amullat will show the progression of influence through sampling of dances from Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Alma Española will present Moorish influenced songs and traditional flamenco dance and music.  

Members of the Creating Cultural Connections planning committee include Connie Lange, Dave Abuli, Mary Ellen Newton, Lucinda Wakeman, Steve Bartlett, Christine Delaney, Ruth Scheidler and Sarah Langer.  Students participating in the project include Alicia Garza, Erica Villa, Saltana Alsoofy, Hailah Saeed, Natthanich Piroonchinda, Lisa Kirchoff, Nova Freisberg, Yu-Fang Chang, Mi-Hsuan Chang, Judith Roemer, Katharina Marnette, Daniela Camara, Alaina Johnson and Sthefania Araujo.

Support for the project has been received from Altrusa International of Branch County, the Altrusa International Foundation, and the MSU Extension 4-H Program fund. 

Tickets for the event are $5 or $10 for a family pass. They are available at the door or in advance at the Tibbits office at 93 West Chicago Street or on line at www.tibbits.org.  For more information call Tibbits at 517-278-6029.