– California’s Longest-Continuing Arts Education Initiative Keeps Performing Arts Alive for Students Despite Budget Challenges in Schools –
(www.musiccenter.org)
WHAT: More than 3,100 fifth grade students (18,000 over three days) from throughout Los Angeles County will simultaneously perform a choreographed dance on The Music Center Plaza as part of The 44th Annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival. The free three-day festival provides many children with their first performing arts experience. Students prepare in advance with curriculum provided to their teachers by The Blue Ribbon in partnership with The Music Center. Students learn what to watch for during the performance, history and terminology, themes, and the choreography for their dance.
During their visit to The Music Center, students attend a performance of three dances by the iconic modern dance company, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, led by celebrated choreographer and modern dance pioneer, Paul Taylor. Afterwards, students gather on The Music Center Plaza to perform a special dance that incorporates music and movements from the live performance in a dance choreographed just for them. To read teacher blogs about the Festival, visit http://bit.ly/1lzaiDL
WHEN: Festival Launch Day, April 9, 2014, with student performance at approximately 11:00 a.m. Media should arrive by10:30 a.m. Media wanting access to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion prior to the student performance on the Plaza should arrive by 10:00 a.m. Media check-in is at the information table located between the flagpoles on The Music Center Plaza.
WHERE: The Music Center Plaza
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
WHY: The Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival responds to the important positive impact of arts education on the entire school culture, especially student motivation, attitudes and attendance. As a result, students have a much greater chance of staying in school and succeeding there, as well as succeeding in both life and work. Despite cuts in arts and music programs over the years, The Blue Ribbon has opened the eyes of more than 800,000 students in Los Angeles to the performing arts with a comprehensive program that informs and extends their understanding.
PARKING: Parking for media trucks is available in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Grand Avenue.
NOTE: Highly visual event, featuring more than 3,100 children dancing at any one time in a choreographed outdoor performance. Performances take place twice each day of the Festival. Excellent opportunity for helicopter aerial and/or balcony shots from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of major participatory activity on The Music Center Plaza.