Building bridges through hip-hop
Building bridges through hip-hop
Next Level launched in Dhaka
The Bangladesh chapter of Next Level, a cultural exchange programme of USA, was launched on Saturday evening at EMK Center, Dhaka. US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan W. Mozena officially launched Next Level, which includes a two-week workshop on hip-hop music and dance.
In his introductory speech, Mozena said, “This share and exchange programme will feature great music by great musicians. Next Level aims at building bridges by sharing music.”
A four-member team of hip-hop musicians will conduct the workshop which will be attended by nearly 50 Bangladeshi youths. The four member team -- comprising Gabriel 'Asheru' Benn, a veteran hip hop artist, educator and youth activist; Amirah Sackett, dancer and choreographer; JocElyn Ellis, vocalist, songwriter and music producer and André “DJ A-Minor” Barden, an educator, DJ, and producer -- will work with dancers and musicians in Bangladesh and demonstrate and participate in a number of programmes. Following the workshop, the team will hold their presentation at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:30pm on November 17.
Next Level is an initiative of the US Department of State and the University of North Carolina's Department of Music that promotes international cultural exchange and conflict resolution through hip-hop music and dance. Next Level fosters cross-cultural creative expression and exchange in diverse communities and supports the professional development of artists in those communities.