MusicTibet.com
News :: 2007
Chaksampa dazzles Silicon Valley
SILICON VALLEY, US, 22 January 2007 Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company based in San Francisco performed to an enthusiastic audience in Palo Alto, California on Friday, the 20th January.
The evening's programme began with a brief introduction to Tibetan culture and a summary of the current political situation in Tibet. Fred Shepardson, a long-time supporter of Tibet introduced Chaksampa, who proceeded to thrill their mostly-American audience with a mix of traditional, ritual and folk music and dance as well as Tibetan opera and contemporary songs.
Chaksampa began their set with a sombre monastic ritual dance called 'Shanak' or Black Hat Dance, which led into the programme of traditional Tibetan music and dance. The audience was enchanted by a well-thought out presentation that clearly depicted the importance of preserving the traditional Tibetan music and dance in these modern times.
The highlight of the evening's concert was during a Gorshae number, Mr. Dhondup Tsering, a local Tibetan elder from Oakland, joined the dancers on the stage. His energetic dance combined with the live music and dancing of Nyima Gyalpo, Tashi Sharzur, Tsering D. Bawa got the audience on their feet clapping and cheering.
Tsering Dolma, Tsering Wangmo, Lhakyi Dolma and Tsering D. Sangpo, the four divas of Chaksampa danced along thier angelic gesture in their dance and expression of joy in their singing reviberated through out the auditorium. Members of the audience later expressed a feeling of deep connectedness to the artistic expression and warmth brought in by these talented artistes, fulfilling a goal of the band to truly become a cultural "bridge" and foster an appreciation of Tibetan culture and as well as draw attention to the importance of it's survival. The crowd happily invited Chaksampa back to perform again soon in the Palo Alto area and further their education about Tibetan culture.
The concert was a benefit event for Chaksampa, which is a non-profit Tibetan Performing Arts group based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have performed all over North America and Europe in historical venues such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco . The group has performed in all four of the Tibetan Freedom Concerts organized by the Milarepa Fund, appearing with such artistes as John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Pearl Jam, Herbie Hancock, Tracy Chapman, the Beastie Boys, U2, and others.
To learn more about Chaksampa please visit www.tibet.org/chaksampa