PROGRAM EVALUATION: HIP HOP TRIO ROCKS KUWAIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000578 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP (BJACKSON),ECA/PE/C/CU (RKEITH),NEA/PPD (DBENZE),R E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL KPAO KU SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION: HIP HOP TRIO ROCKS KUWAIT Summary -------------- ¶1. GPRA FY07Q2: The Gina Loring Poetry and Hip Hop Trio, a popular, contemporary African American youth-oriented music group based in Los Angeles, California, conducted its first tour of Kuwait, February 5-10, 2007. The highly energetic trio, comprised of Gina Loring, lead vocalist; Joshua Silverstein, vocal percussionist; and Brandon Coleman, keyboardist, demonstrated its outstanding creativity with music that was heard for the first time in conservative Kuwait. The three musicians enlightened Kuwaiti audiences with daring public performances at venues frequented by youth. They also conducted poetry and writing workshops highlighting and celebrating African-American cultural contributions in the U.S. before diverse audiences of students, musicians, music teachers, and the Kuwaiti public. This group, which ECA sponsored with a Performing Arts Initiative grant, attracted extensive positive media coverage, broke new ground for public affairs programming, and pushed cultural barriers. End summary. Music in the Malls -------------- ¶2. The goal of the Gina Loring Poetry and Hip Hop Trio's visit was to expose Kuwaitis, especially the younger generation, to American society and values by offering a rare, first-time introduction to American youth music culture. The lively trio's visit took place at a time when arts and music education was increasingly under attack from Islamists in Kuwait. The group's eventful program included public performances before hundreds of listeners at the heavily patronized Souq Sharq and Al Kout shopping malls, including a performance in a remote desert area of Kuwait where extremely conservative and sometimes Anti-American sentiments prevail. Public Affairs arranged this performance in this isolated area to engage a new and much younger Kuwaiti audience that previously may not have been exposed to positive aspects of U.S. culture. Performing Arts Initiative Promotes Diversity/Democracy -------------- -------------- ¶3. The Gina Loring group's visit coincided with the Embassy's celebration of African American History Month and provided an ideal opportunity to teach Kuwaiti youth about the value of diversity within American society. Thanks to a grant from ECA's Performing Arts Initiative, post was able to pursue fulfillment of two Strategic Mission Goals with this program -- to engage youth audiences and promote democracy. By underscoring African American cultural contributions to American society through music, and reaching sizeable and unique new audiences, this program far exceeded the expectations of the original Performing Arts Initiative proposal. Outstanding Results and Broad-ranging Impact -------------- ¶4. Over one thousand music lovers, including English Access Micro-scholarship students, writers' association members, youth NGO representatives, and hundreds of shoppers at two different malls were among those who witnessed the Gina Loring Trio's programs in Kuwait. Listeners were clearly moved and surprised by the vibrant, interactive presentations and professional manner of the musicians. The performers thrilled audiences, sparking great interest in this American art form. The trio easily and effortlessly connected with youth audiences through workshops and master classes that articulated the importance of music as a bridge between cultures and generations. The Embassy highly recommends the Gina Loring Trio to other posts seeking to build rapport and greater understanding of American culture with younger audiences. They acted as true cultural ambassadors of goodwill. Despite questions regarding the appropriateness of this type of music for Kuwait audiences raised prior to implementation of the program, the group proved exceptional at achieving audience participation and winning over conservative audiences. Post even overcame inquiries from the Ministry of Information about performance licenses, by convincing officials of the value of this type of "cultural presentation" to building bridges of understanding between Kuwaitis and Americans. Popular with the Press -------------- ¶5. As word spread about the new sound being heard in Kuwait, the trio quickly became the darlings of the Kuwaiti press. Print and TV reporters turned out en masse for public performances. The group also made two live television appearances and had an exclusive in-depth interview with the cultural reporter for one of the major Kuwaiti Arabic-language dailies as well as with the state news agency, KUNA. Print media coverage was extensive and often included animated photos of the band members performing and the audience, which was clearly enthralled. The trio had one of the longest segments ever on the popular morning talk show "Good Morning Kuwait" KUWAIT 00000578 002 OF 002 when the hosts interviewed the group members for 18 minutes. Gina Loring intrigued the audience with a live poetry recital and Josh Silverstein demonstrated his beat box technique to the delight not only of the viewing audience but also of the technical crew as well. The group repeated their TV outreach with an appearance on the evening show "Raikum Shabab" ("Your Opinion, Youth"),which reaches just the exact audience this PD program targeted - Kuwaiti young people ages 13-30. 02/07/07, Hip hop concert, KUNA, www. kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=ar&DSNO= 950182, 2 photos 02/08/07, Hip hop concert, Arab Times, p.7, 1/4 page, 2 photos 02/08/07, Hip hop concert, Kuwait Times, p. 2, 1/8 page, 1 photo 02/09/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Anbaa, p. 31, 1/8 page, 2 photos 02/09/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Seyassah, p. 4, 1/8 page, 2 photos 02/09/07, Hip hop concert, Arab Times, p. 2, 1/8 page, 2 photos 02/10/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Rai, p. 18, 1/16 page, None 02/10/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Anbaa, p. 20, 1/8 page, 4 photos 02/10/07, Hip hop concert, Arab Times, p. 2, 1/8 page, 2 photos 02/12/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Seyassah, p. 47, 1/4 page, 4 photos 02/12/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Watan, p. 42, 1/8 page, 3 photos 02/12/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Qabas, p. 32, 1/16 page, 1 photo 02/13/07, Hip hop concert, Al-Anbaa, p. 19, 1/8 page, 3 photos Exceptional Public/Private Cooperation -------------- ¶6. Public Affairs thanks ECA Office of Cultural Programs for the Performing Arts Initiative grant and strong support received by the director to pursue this program. It would not have been possible to bring the group to Kuwait without the help of the private sponsors who generously provided funding and in-kind donations for major expenditures, including accommodations, technical support, and public venues costs. Public Affairs coordinated closely with the sports drink company, Red Bull, to organize the event. Red Bull liberally provided assistance for the hip hop group's lodging in Kuwait and concert expenses. Additionally, Foot Locker supplied promotional materials and paid printing costs for the two public performances. Finally, the management of the two malls offered the venues and supplied security for the events free-of-charge. TUELLER