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Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc.

AMAN
Folk Ensemble

Passing it On

By Dick Oakes


THIS IS HISTORICAL INFORMATION ONLY

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AMAN Folklore Ensemble 2002 Passing It On The AMAN Folk Ensemble features traditional dance and music from around the world in a fast-paced, energetic, contemporary program. The current program, Passing It On, is a program looking at the way dance, music and other traditions are passed on from person to person, from generation to generation and from culture to culture. The program will feature work from Hungary, Greece, Central Asia, Mexico and the United States. The subject will allow AMAN to explore "vocabulary" and the historic differences in passing on music and dance.

STUDY GUIDE AVAILABLE
"The AMAN Folk Ensemble has been working in the Los Angeles Unified School District since 1971. The nature of the folk material AMAN uses, and its international scope, forms a solid foundation from which to build a program aimed at the ultimate goal...all people harmoniously co-existing in the schools and in the community at large."
–Don Dustin - Director, Performing Arts L.A. Unified School District

ABOUT AMAN
AMAN, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to promoting traditional dance and music from the many ethnic groups residing in the United States. AMAN is the only professional company including in its repertoire and education program the cultural traditions of five continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. Its dancers and musicians work side by side, year in and year out, to create lively authentic renditions and interpretations of traditional work.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT
We struggle with what to call the kind of work we do. "Folk" and "traditional" sound old-fashioned -- and our tunes and steps are anything but old-fashioned. Both "alternative" and "world" music has become almost trite. We know there is an audience who appreciates a fast-paced, energetic, and exciting performance based on old beats and ancient rhythms, familiar tunes and routine steps. We enjoy the opportunity to show our respect for traditions and rituals and at the same time prove that folk dance and music are contemporary, vital, ever-changing forms.