Homayun Sakhi of Tracy was born in Kabul in 1976 to a renowned musical lineage. From age ten, he immersed himself in mastering the national instrument, the double-chambered rubab, under his father’s tutelage in the traditional ustâd-shâgird apprenticeship. In 1992, he and his family sought refuge in Peshawar, Pakistan, following the chaos of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. There, Homayun’s exceptional talents gained recognition, making him a popular entertainer known for his diverse repertoire. In 2001, he relocated to Fremont, California, home to the largest Afghan community in the US. There, he introduced his refined rubab style, quickly becoming a local musical leader, and earning national and international acclaim as a performer, teacher, and composer.

Apprenticeship Program

2024

Afghan Rubab  with apprentice Yusef Zara

During this period, Homayun will focus on teaching apprentice, Yusef Zara, Rag Bihag, a composition based on a major scale. The apprentice will be working on developing stamina for the right-hand technique called Dir-Dir, an up-and-down stroke on one or more strings. Also, to evolve the Bachgi technique while playing the melody and stroking the sympathetic strings to create a rhythmic partner.

Living  Cultures

2024

Preservation of the Traditional Afghan Music of Rubob

Preserving Afghan Traditional music through recordings that represent the multi-ethnic music of Afghanistan and in collaboration with scholars to transcribe these melodies for archival purposes laying the framework for a book about the Afghan rubab, covering its history & instructional content aiming to promote learning within our Afghan community.

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Lue Her of Merced, from a young age displayed a keen interest in Hmong culture. This passion led him to pursue knowledge in the arts from elders. During his youth, Lue immersed himself in various Hmong cultural arts, which laid the foundation for his mastery of the arts today. Outside of work, Lue enjoys traveling with his family and exploring new cuisines. He is also passionate about giving back to his community and volunteers his time at Hmong ceremonies. As of 2024, Lue continues to thrive, constantly serving his community with his cultural knowledge and make a positive impact in the Hmong community across America.

 

 

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Apprenticeship Program

2024

Hmong Cultural Art Forms with apprentice Shue Her

Lu and Shue will focus on enhancing Shue’s understanding of key tones, messages, and mediation processes while honing their performance skills. Shue will delve into the intricacies of Hmong music, gaining proficiency in conveying cultural messages through melodies and learning how to mediate harmony through music, serving as a bridge between individuals and cultural traditions. By mastering a diverse repertoire of songs, Shue will deepen their connection to Hmong heritage, becoming a revered custodian of our cultural legacy.

 

 

 

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The Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Radio Bilingüe 

invite you to join us for

Corridos del San Joaquín

as part of 

Sonidos de California — Valle de San Joaquin
Grabación, archivo y presentación de los sonidos de la migración
Recording, archiving, and presenting the sounds of migration 

¡Celebrando a los finalistas del Concurso de Corridos!
Celebrating Corrido Contest Finalists! 

8 Dic 2024 | Dec. 8, 2024

Actuaciones de | Performances by

Las Damas del Valle

Familia Morales

Finalistas del Concurso de Corridos:

Felix Arreola
Rodolfo Carranza
Salvador Mendoza
Nelly Paredes
Heriberto Jaime Perez
Martin Rodriguez
Gregoria Sanchez
Adrian Sanchez Avila
John B. Soto
Salvador Urista Alvarado

Puertas abren a las 2 pm | Doors open at 2 pm
Entrada gratuita | Free Admission 

Roosevelt High School Auditorium
4250 East Tulare Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702

Para mas Información | Learn More:
(559) 242-6183

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Ziying Zhao serves as a jury member for several music competitions, including the International Youth Music Competition, 21st Century Talents Music Competition, Rocky Mountain Music Competition, Red Maple Music Competition, Royal Sound Music Competition, Charleston International Music Competition, and the “德润音才筑梦未来” Music Exhibition (a Chinese guqin National Music Competition). In 2023, she showcased her solo Guqin concert in Houston. Her talent has led to invitations to perform the guqin at renowned venues such as the Seattle Center, University of Washington, Texas A&M University, Asian & Pacific Culture Center, California WorldFest, and other esteemed organizations. Additionally, she has delivered guqin presentations at numerous universities and schools.

The guqin, an ancient and enigmatic musical instrument with a history spanning over 4,000 years, is considered one of the quintessential representations of traditional Chinese culture. Many guqin compositions date back hundreds or even thousands of years, and the revered Chinese philosopher and educator Confucius used the guqin as a teaching tool for his students. Ziying Zhao aspires to introduce this ancient musical heritage to modern society, sharing the timeless melodies of millennia past with the world.

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Janeen Johnson of O.Y.A. Strategies is a versatile artist, director, and touring field technician with a global reach. Her journey in arts and culture spans over eleven years, marked by extensive study and training in African and African Diaspora Dance, Music, and Culture, and formal training in Congolese music and dance traditions with legacy company, Fua Dia Congo (Congolese Heritage). Her skills extend to teaching—developed under the tutelage of Master Artist Ta Malonga Casquelourd—and she has taught throughout the San Francisco, Oakland, and Palo Alto School Districts. Johnson is also a stagecraft maven, combining interdisciplinary skills in arts management and administration with a focus on traditional and folk arts of shared cultural heritages. She yields an impressive professional track record, contributing to projects that encompass a range of cultural and artistic expressions.

Living Cultures Grant

2023

“From Whence I Came: Expressions of Congo”

Johnson will produce an oral history project centered on Pierre Sandor Diabankouezi, Master choreographer of traditional drum and dance from the Republic of Congo. The project will involve interviews, translated songs, and the transcription of cultural stories depicted in Diabankouezi’s Mikwe painting, preserving his contributions to African Dance in the San Francisco Bay Area for future generations.

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Hmong Cultural Preservation (HCP) is a dedicated group of community leaders passionately committed to the preservation, sharing, teaching, and celebration of the vibrant and rich cultural heritage of the Hmong people. Their mission is to ensure that the Hmong culture is passed down to future generations through educational workshops and cultural events, along with historical preservation projects and community outreach. They believe that by bridging the past with the present, they can empower the Hmong community to thrive while ensuring that their cultural roots remain strong and resilient.

Living Cultures Grant

2023

The Hmong Culture Education and Practice Project

Hmong Cultural Preservation will organize classes for youth to learn about Qeej (a traditional bamboo reed instrument, pronounced “gheng”), Mej Koob (similar to marriage officiants), and Txiv Xaiv (clergy/priest). Classes will also cover the stories and legacy of their history and culture.

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Hilario Lugo is an established and self-taught engraver who is passionate about his craft and eager to share his skills with others. He has a wealth of experience and a dedication to creating intricate and high quality pieces of engraved work, from small gifts to full-bodied pieces for car shows. Lugo believes that teaching others about the art of engraving is a key aspect of keeping the culture alive. Thus, he offers engaging and hands-on classes for enthusiasts of all skill levels, from beginners looking to embark on their journeys as engravers, to experts who are looking to refine their techniques.

Living Cultures Grant

2023

Engraving Focused on Day of the Dead, Mexica Imagery, and Lowrider Culture

With funding from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grant Program, Lugo will both take and organize engraving workshops and classes. He will also acquire tools and materials necessary to maintain the high quality of his art.

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Border Patrol Curatorial Collective (grantee: Elizabeth Spavento) explores the intersection of contemporary art and capitalist aesthetics. An 18th Street Arts Center Creative Corps Fellow, the collective will host exhibitions, residencies, events, and other public programs in spaces K4 and K5 of Bakersfield’s Brundage Swap Meet from July 2023–June 2024.

Living Cultures Grant

2023

R.I.P. Residency Featuring Indigenous Artists from El Pueblo San Pablo Tijaltepec

Twenty-three artists from the Indigenous Oaxacan community of El Pueblo San Pablo Tijaltepec will be in residence October 25–29 as part of Border Patrol’s R.I.P residency program, addressing the politics and aesthetics of grief and death. Artists from San Pablo Tijaltepec will build an ofrenda leading up to the Día de Los Muertos celebration, create and embroider traditional blouses and skirts, as well as practice music. Valentín Bautista, San Pablo Tijaltepec’s President, will give a talk on Sunday, October 29th.

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About the Organization

Sustaining the Guelaguetza tradition in Madera addresses the community’s desire to nurture cultural pride among Oaxacan youth, promote inclusivity, and celebrate Oaxacan heritage.” – Comité Guelaguetza Madera

The Comité Guelaguetza Madera is an all-volunteer committee, composed of local residents with strong indigenous Oaxacan ties, working to organize the first community-driven Guelaguetza in Madera, California. The Guelaguetza is an annual celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico, that showcases the vibrant traditions, music, dance and cuisine of the state’s eight regions: Cañada, Costa, Istmo, Mixteca, Papaloapan, Sierra Sur, Sierra Norte y Valles Centrales. It is a renowned event that draws tourists worldwide and holds deep significance for the Oaxacan community. By organizing it locally in Madera, the Comité aims to preserve and share their cultural identity, ensuring the traditions are passed on to future generations and fostering a sense of pride and belonging among the Oaxacan community in Madera.

Living Cultures Grant

2023

Guelaguetza Madera 2023

The Comité Guelaguetza Madera will organize the first community-driven Guelaguetza in Madera, showcasing the vibrant traditions, music, dance, and cuisine of Oaxaca while preserving the cultural identity of the Oaxacan community. Their goal is to foster a sense of belonging among residents and promote cultural exchange and understanding.

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Traditional Lao dancing and folk songs are very important and unique to the Lao culture. The artform and performances help bring our Lao community together.” – Choummaly Keodara

Choummaly Keodara began dancing in the Lao tradition at the age of five. When she was eleven, she danced with Ajarn [Professor] Chaiphet: one of the last royal dancers from the palace of King Sisavang Vatthana, the last king of Laos. Chaiphet noticed Keodara’s talent and passion and selected her as her top dance apprentice, teaching Keodara unique dance routines and how to sing live to accompany other dancers. Keodara trained and performed with Chaiphet until she was eighteen. She promised her mentor that she would share their tradition with the next generation of Lao Americans, so that their culture would not be lost or forgotten. While attending Fresno City College, Keodara was Vice President of the Lao Students Association (LSA) and taught Lao traditional dances for free. Now, she teaches classic and traditional Lao dances to fourteen students (the group Nadtasin Lao Lanxang), who perform and share their beautiful culture throughout California. Keodara has also recorded three albums of Lao folk songs.

Keodara will help five of her top students hone their skills at an advanced level, teaching them dances such as the beloved Kinnaly; Dork Champa (a Lao national dance); Oy phon pee Mai (a New Year blessing dance); Lum Thungvieh, Lum Salavon, Lum Phouthai, etc.; and styles unique to each part of Laos (North, Central and South). Funding from ACTA’s Living Culture’s Grant Program will support her in taking her students to events and festivals to perform; in purchasing their dance outfits and accessories; and in supplying their practices with food, water and snacks.

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