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DocuSign Envelope ID:44D3DBCB-4533-455D-8575-E6B5F754CA86 <br /> What are you A specific program or project <br /> requesting funding <br /> for? <br /> Project/Program Funding from the Orange County Arts Commission will support the <br /> Summary hip hop and jazz ensemble - The Beast - to perform on stage at <br /> Cultural Explosion. Now in its twelfth year, The Beast is an innovative <br /> and electrifying hip hop and jazz ensemble dedicated to education <br /> and cultural outreach. From Durham, The Beast is a home-grown <br /> artistic force, mixing tap-dancers, puppeteers, and spoken word <br /> artists into its repertoire. The group has developed workshops on <br /> creativity, improvisation, and the history of African-American music <br /> based on the Blackademics Hip Hop Curriculum founded by emcee <br /> and vocalist Pierce Freelon. <br /> During Cultural Explosion, The Beast (comprised of a vocalist, <br /> drummer, keyboardist and bassist) will perform on an outside stage <br /> and captivate the audience with their entertaining and educational <br /> style. Their performance, titled "SANKOFA: African American Music <br /> from Spirituals to Hip Hop," will allow students and families to engage <br /> in call and response through interactive songwriting and <br /> improvisation. Students will learn about the oral tradition through the <br /> West African storyteller/poet known as the Griot; explore coded <br /> language in Spirituals; join musicians on stage to discover <br /> improvisation in Jazz; learn call and response in Reggae, and dance <br /> to some classic Hip Hop. The performance will be tailored to <br /> appropriately suit elementary, middle and high school audiences and <br /> will expose students to various music genres, as well as teach them <br /> African-American history in an engaging, fun way. <br /> Project Start Date April 1, 2020 <br /> (no earlier than July <br /> 1, 2019) <br /> Project End Date (no April 30, 2020 <br /> later than June 30, <br /> 2020) <br /> Project Goals The goals of Cultural Explosion (and the performance by The Beast) <br /> are: <br /> • to provide an avenue for students and families to explore and learn <br /> about diverse cultures, which directly links to many Social Studies <br /> standards, thus enhancing academic proficiency <br /> • to allow students and families from diverse cultures to share their <br /> own traditions and experiences with others so they feel they have <br /> something to offer, which in turn makes them feel more connected to <br /> their schools and local communities <br /> • to provide an accessible learning opportunity to all students and <br /> families regardless of income <br /> • to build connections and relationships with members of the <br /> community <br />