RHYTHM ROAD REQUEST: FEBRUARY 20-25 OR FEBRUARY

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000556 SIPDIS SIPDIS ECA/PE/C/CU FOR SANDRA ROUSE, COLOMBIA BARROSSE, AND LAFAYE PROCTOR, JALC FOR VAN MONAK CHHUN, WHA/PDA FOR AUDREY PRUITT, WHA/CAR FOR JACKIE ROSHOLT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS SUBJECT: RHYTHM ROAD REQUEST: FEBRUARY 20-25 OR FEBRUARY 6-11 REF: SECSTATE 144911 ¶1. Post is delighted by the ECA/PD/C/Cu offer for an American Music Abroad - Rhythm Road stop in Suriname and looks forward to an excellent opportunity to continue the vibrant music outreach program at Post. This presentation fits our MSP goal of mutual U.S./Suriname appreciation and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. One of the ways in which we do this is through opportunities that highlight the U.S. contribution to world culture. The American Music Abroad program will demonstrate both our interest in Surinamese cultural life and our desire to share with Surinamers the best of contemporary American culture. In addition, it will build on significant goodwill and expectations created by the January 2007 visit of the Rhythm Road performing artist ensemble "Cultures of Rhythm" and other music programs organized by the Embassy. Despite limited resources, Post has organized nine concerts with a jazz element in the last thirteen months, and thousands of Surinamers have attended. In addition, jazz has been an important element of Post's outreach to the second largest population center, Nickerie. ¶2. Program dates that we can accommodate: 1st choice: Wednesday, February 20 through Monday, February 25 2nd choice: Wednesday, February 6 through Monday, February 11 In practice Wednesday through Monday visit slots are the only realistic option, with programming Thursday through Sunday. Limited flights in and out of Suriname, rest day requirements for the band, and the difficulty of attracting audiences Monday through Wednesday make other visit slots unrealistic. Programming in January will also be impractical in 2008. ¶3. Notional daily schedule: Wednesday: arrival, 1:00 a.m.; rest day and/or travel to Nickerie Thursday: (travel to Nickerie if not done on Wednesday) performance in Nickerie's central public square Friday: return to Paramaribo, performance at Ambassador's residence Saturday: morning and/or afternoon workshops, public street concert in the evening Sunday: morning and/or afternoon workshops, evening free Monday: departure, 6:00 a.m. Daily schedule will be developed further if dates are confirmed. ¶4. As in 2007, to support this extensive programming, Post will request additional WHA/PDA funding support to cover costs. ¶5. In response to reftel para 4, Post provides the following information: Pol/PD Officer: Andy Utschig, Telephone 001 (597) 472900 ext 2208, Fax 001 (597) 420800 utschigas@state.gov LES Public Diplomacy Assistant: Cliff Djamin, Telephone 001 (597) 472900 ext 2290, Fax 001 (597) 425690 djaminsc@state.gov ¶6. Post looks forward to further information about the American Music Abroad - Rhythm Road program. The tour will be enthusiastically received in Suriname. SCHREIBER HUGHES