AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD

UNCLAS LIMA 002791 SIPDIS STATE FOR ECA/PE/C/CU-SROUSE, INFO WHA/PDA (SLEBENS/MDCONNERS/GADAMS),WHA/PD (GGALLEGOS),WHA/AND (JMONSERRAT) E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PE SUBJECT: AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD REF: STATE 102369 ¶1. Post applauds the re-establishment of the formerly Jazz Ambassadors program through the American Music Abroad and would like to be considered in one of the 2006 tours. ¶2. We prefer the month of February and a weeklong tour (5 program days plus 2 travel days). Best days for performances in Lima are from Tuesday through Thursday. Nevertheless, Post would also like to program quartet in at least one provincial city. ¶3. MPP goals include jazz performances as part of its cultural objectives. Peru has a tradition for jazz and the Lima Binational center has contributed in this respect, sponsoring a one-week festival every year in April. Since 2002, PAS Lima has co- sponsored this internationally recognized jazz festival as part of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). The city of Lima is becoming the Jazz Latin American city with several Peruvian groups, which perform throughout the year, as well as several radio stations, which sponsor jazz programs. PAS will continue its support in raising the U.S. cultural profile in Peru. ¶4. A Hip-Hop Quartet would also be welcome as it would also help promote U.S. culture and would enhance mutual understanding between the United States and Peru. Most recently Post presented a project for funding through the Performing Arts Initiative Program. The project, which unfortunately was not selected, was intended to offer a vital, creative, and professional alternative for young people who are susceptible to delinquency, vandalism, and drugs. ¶5. Cultural presentations as the proposed gives the mission the opportunity to invite key contacts in Lima and in the provinces. Post will also program a performance for an audience composed by massive affluence of people from middle and low social classes. In the province Post would reach native and/or rural communities who are rarely exposed to U.S. culture. ¶6. In the short term, such a performance would provide Peruvians with a better understanding of U.S. culture and musical tradition. In the long term, this would promote and strengthen the bonds of friendship between our countries. STRUBLE