Asian Exploration

Performers mine their heritage

Comments (0) By John Anderson and Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Nina Korman Thursday, Mar 18 2004

THU 3/18

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It's a diaspora out there, as in the spread of Asians from the Old World to the New. Several North and South American artists of Asian descent will investigate their cultural roots within a Western context in the Tigertail Asian Diaspora of the Americas. Dancer Mabel Dai Chee Chang, from Buenos Aires, will perform Red Winds, a solo work inspired by the life of Argentine singer/activist Atahualpa Yupanqui and infused with the magical realism of the Argentine Andes. Denise Uyehara will present Big Head, a spoken-word/dance piece exploring the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and how it relates to our current treatment of Arab Americans. Performances begin at 8:00 tonight through Sunday at Dorsch Gallery, 151 NW 24th St. Tickets cost $20. Call 305-545-8546. -- By John Anderson

Peace Music

Concert protests war

THU 3/18 Even in the most dismal moments of history, the human spirit soars. It could be considered a Pyrrhic gain that some of the world's most important art grew out of war, oppression, and tyranny. The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum (1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach) complements its exhibit "Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War" with a specially selected program of music performed by a septet led by pianist Harold Lewin. Titled Music Under Siege,the concert features compositions by Charles Ives, Maurice Ravel, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Francis Poulenc, which were created to express resistance to war. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m., preceded by a guided tour of the exhibition at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free with $5 museum entrance. Call 305-535-2622. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez Fearless Foursome

WED 3/24 When the renowned Guarneri String Quartet's players pick up the bows of their 2 violins, viola, and a cello, you're pretty much guaranteed to hear more than just the crusty old classics. Founded in 1964, the group has always been open to performing pieces created by contemporary composers such as Lukas Foss and Richard Danielpour, as well as presenting the traditional quartet repertoire. When they play the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale) tonight at 8:00, expect works by Beethoven and Mozart plus some Kodaly. Tickets cost $35. Call 954-462-0222. -- By Nina Korman