Performances for Young Audiences is made possible by

A World Premiere Kennedy Center Co-commission with Full Circle Productions

Outside theBACHX

with Cristina Altamura, pianist and Gene Shinozaki, beatboxer

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About the Performancehe art of Hip-Hop is all about taking this, trying a bit of that, and creating something that gets people

dancing, moving, and laughing. Now imagine throwing the sounds of classical music and the moves of classical ballet into the Hip-Hop mixer. What comes out is a magical mashup of old and new, grace and power, something familiar turning into something surprising and fresh—something you can’t squeeze into any box.

Outside the Bachx is all about mixing styles of music and dance in search of something new but still true to the worlds of classical and Hip-Hop. Hear what happens when the notes of a classical music pianist meet the rhythms of a Hip-Hop beatboxer. Watch the changes as a spinning ballerina likes the dance steps of a down-rocking b-girl. It’s a show about going “outside the box” of what we usually do and becoming brave enough to try new sounds, new moves, and new ideas.

About the PerformersOutside the Bachx comes from the creative imaginations of Full Circle Productions in New York City. This Hip-Hop collective was founded in 1992 by the wife-and-husband dance team of Ana “Rokafella” Garcia and Gabriel “Kwikstep” Dionisio. Today, they travel the world to share the spirit and fast-footed fun of breaking and Hip-Hop culture with students and audiences. Kwikstep and Rokafella earned

their turns dancing on the streets of New York City. Today, they’re ambassadors of Hip-Hop, sharing a message of peace, joy, and creativity across continents and generations.

A Mashup of Music & DanceBig Ideas from Outside the BoxRules and ExpectationsWe all deal with rules and expectations—at home, at school, and with our friends. We even have rules inside our heads about how people are supposed to look, talk, act, and think. This show explores what can happen when we bust out of the box of rules the world puts us in.

SamplingHip-Hop promotes a culture that values piecing together creative ideas; one example is a process called “sampling.” Sampling means taking parts of songs and putting them into new music. But it also has a long tradition in every form of art—from painting to dance to music. During the performance, the musicians and dancers sample the cool sounds and moves they see—classical borrowing from Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop borrowing from classical.

TransformationTransformation is the process of changing from one thing into another, like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. During the performance, you’ll hear a classical pianist transform her style as she’s influenced by piano chord samples from classic Hip-Hop hits. You’ll see a battle between classical and Hip-Hop dance until the dancers’ moves transform into something unique and fresh.

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Music and DanceClassical MusicThis style of music is rooted in the traditions of Western Europe that reach back 1,000 years. Most classical music sticks to an exact performance of written notes. Unlike Hip-Hop, it doesn’t offer many chances to improvise, or make up music while playing.

BalletBallet goes back about 700 years and gained importance under France’s King Louis XIV in the 1600s. That’s why most ballet terms are in French, like pirouette, (pronounced pir-oo-ET), meaning spin or whirl. This form of dance is built around a specific set of body positions that make the dancer look graceful and elegant.

About Then and Now

Members of Full Circle Productions range in age from teens to their 50s. They form a community of elders and youth that perform as a team.

Hip-Hop Music and DanceThe music and dance styles of Hip-Hop have roots in Africa, the Caribbean, and 1970s New York City. Unlike their classical cousins, Hip-Hop’s dance and music celebrate improvisation—the art of performing without following written music notes or set dance moves. That doesn’t mean Hip-Hop artists just make stuff up. Like their classical cousins, these Hip-Hop performance styles take hours, days, and years to learn and polish. Classical and Hip-Hop may look and sound very different, but the artists in both share a commitment to excellence.

Some Useful Terms to Know

battling when two individuals or crews face off and perform to determine who has a higher level of mastery

beatboxing using voice and mouth to create drum-like beats, melodies, and sound effects

breaking original style of Hip-Hop dance made up of upright steps and floor shuffles, in addition to spins, poses, and air moves; includes moves from martial arts and gymnastics

b-girl/b-boy dancer who performs the Hip-Hop dance style of breaking

cipher Hip-Hop rappers or dancers competing or performing together in a circle formation

classical deeply rooted and enduring artistic forms from the traditions of Western Europe, usually stressing technical ability

DJ short for “disc jockey,” this Hip-Hop artist is in charge of the music, mixing songs and breaks as well as manipulating records to create rhythmic patterns

Hip-Hop a culture and artistic style built around six elements: DJing, rapping, breaking (dance), writing (graffiti), theater, and knowledge of self and community

MC short for “master of ceremonies;” entertains show crowds with snappy banter and raps

“outside the box” an expression meaning a fresh perspective or something done in an innovative or unconventional manner

popping/waving/boogaloo Hip-Hop dance style originating in California and rooted in the Funk movement; features fluid waves and muscle contractions that accentuate the beat and may suggest robot-like movement

power move an athletic dance move in breaking that takes strength, balance, and the calculation of space and momentum; example—head spins

rapper a vocal performer, usually a recording artist, who puts poetry to a beat

soul & funk music styles with a strong rhythm that grew out of gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues; has strong connections to African American history and culture

top rock to dance in a standing position; with roots in Tap, Salsa, and Lindy Hop dance styles

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Additional support for Outside the Bachx is provided by The Clark Charitable Foundation; Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge

Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.

Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education

The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2015 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Deborah F. RutterPresident

Darrell M. AyersVice President, Education

A Few More ThingsWho Was J.S. Bach?The Bach in Outside the Bachx refers to Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). This German composer and musician is considered one of the kings—if not the king—of classical music. He adapted forms and rhythms from other musical styles in Western Europe to create his own flowing yet complex sound. As part of the performance, you will hear his music—as well as music of other classical and Hip-Hop composers and artists.

What to Watch and Listen For…

a A musical battle between the DJ and classical pianist

a A dance battle between ballet and breaking

a Moments when the artistic battles turn into cooperation

a How different styles of music and dance tug back and forth on the performers

a What props and costumes represent, like ballet slippers symbolizing a dancer’s love of ballet

To Be a Good Audience…

Keep these things in mind to help you and others enjoy the show:

a Turn off and put away your phone and other electronics

a Turn on your heart, mind, and imagination

a Keep quiet once the performance begins, but…

a Feel free to laugh at the funny parts and clap when the artists move you!

During the Performance

Explore More!

Go to KC Connections on ARTSEDGE

artsedge.kennedy-center.org/students/kc-connections