Physical Education/ Health

Artist: Chris Yau Choy Young

The art of kung fu develops coordination, balance, stability, discipline, focus and awareness, all of which are required for the self-defense functionality of kung fu. Chris Yau Choy Young introduces the art of kung fu by emphasizing the health, fitness and code of ethics of the art form to build the physical and mental skills of students. Chris has trained for twenty years in martial arts and lion dance. He is a disciple of Master Zhang Yun of Yin Cheng Gong Fa, and his kung fu and lion dance school, Gong Lung (Steel Dragon), is located in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood.

Artist: Shakespeare-in-the-Schools

Back by popular demand! Our adventure unfolds in a magical neighborhood garden with Little Girl, her Bossy Best Friend and an ailing tomato plant that comes to life. Set in a colorful fantasy world brought to life by vibrant costumes and set, this delightful offering for young audiences captures their imagination underscoring the importance friendship, of making up your own rules, standing up to bullies, and communing with the natural world. Performance is 60 minutes in length.

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Artist: Spilling Ink Project

The Spilling Ink Project weaves memorable tales from Indian folklore and mythology that unfold through traditional South Indian classical dance forms. An intricate language of hand gestures combined with dramatic facial expressions takes audiences on a colorful journey to India. Melodic music including rhythmic percussion, colorful costuming along with narration in English embellishes the program. Katha: Tales from India is an engaging and interactive way for participants to learn about India and its culture. Vijay Palaparty and Nalini Prakash are renowned artists from the U.S. and India, whose performances and outreach programs tour widely. Like their namesakes, the Spilling Ink Project dances express fresh and creative aspects of Indian hertiage.

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Artist: Tap Team II

In this energetic program, students learn the history of American tap dance through the street and social dances performed today. Addition, subtraction and multiplication are explored and students have the opportunity to join the artists on stage to learn the basic steps of this American art form. Tap Team II was founded in Philadelphia and uses Street Tap, better known as Hoofing, as the basis of their choreography. Focused on school and community outreach, they have toured schools throughout the country since 1998.

"Many of our students come from very urban areas where dance is a way of expressing oneself. It was great for them to see and hear about where this type of expression originated . . . The middle school students entered grumbling and left dancing."
– Ann Douglas, Principal, Pittsburgh Urban Christian School

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Artist: Tracie Yorke

Your students will flex their critical thinking muscles as they try to outsmart Anansi the Spider, the world's greates trickster, in Storytime with Anansi. Using movement and music, twelve year dance veteran Tracie Yorke will share timeless folk wisdom wrapped up in the clever antics of Anansi, whose curiosity always gets her in -and -out of trouble.