Who's Performing

Rocky Mountain Ballet

RMBT has dazzled audiences by blending artistry and accessibility into a uniquely entertaining dance experience. The company has toured nationally and internationally from Montana, Idaho, Washington, to Chicago in musical theatre productions with Light Opera Works and to Austria on the prestigious Tanzsommer Tour. In 2007, the Artistic Director Charlene Campbell created the “Montana” program that included Fancy Dancer Louis Plant and Rodeo star Wade Black. They have hosted a handful of premier international guest teachers, principal dancers, and choreographers such as Leslie Brown (ABT and The Turning Point), Alexander Kedrov (Bolshoi Ballet), Fabrice Herrault (Paris Opera), and Ming Yan Cui Davis (Central Ballet of China).

Performance Dates:

September 27th and 28th at Americas Square 11:00-11:30,12:00-12:30

Rainbow Dance Theatre

Founded in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1991, Rainbow Dance Theatre (RDT) has been based in Monmouth, Oregon since 2000. The Company has toured throughout the world, performing in Europe, Asia, the United States, Canada, and Mexico to widespread critical and popular acclaim. On the stage at the Americas Square, Rainbow Dance Theatre (RDT) will present “America Dances”, celebrating the diversity and commonalities of the people of the United States through music and dance. In three remarkable contemporary dances, RDT will trace the history of African-American culture with dances featuring movement styles from the African Diaspora (the roots of the African-American culture), an exhibition of “hamboning” and contemporary tap dance (with origins on the American plantation), and a work highlighting RDT’s athletic blend of Modern and Hip Hop (from the streets of urban America). Directed by internationally renowned dancer-choreographers Valerie Bergman and Darryl Thomas, Rainbow Dance Theater’s highlights the ethnic diversity of its company members through their varied choreography.

Performance Dates:

September 23 at America Square 7:30-8pm; 8:30-9pm

September 25 at America Square 11-11:30pm; 12-12:30pm

Hip Hop Chicago

Hip Hop Chicago brings together 16 extraordinary artists with a vibrant vision to celebrate the best of Chicago hip hop culture with a fusion of music and dance. The group will present a showcase of authentic beats, rhymes, and moves that blend signature hip hop elements with American and international influences such as classical, jazz, blues, funk, house, acrobatics, breakdance, and kung fu. The artists come from diverse backgrounds, mirroring the cultural mix of Chicago, a city which prides itself for its diversity and immigrant traditions. A modern interpretation of hip-hop with diversity and innovation at its core, Hip Hop Chicago is a dynamic representation of modern urban music culture.

Performance Dates:

September 19 - America Square 11-12pm

September 20 - USA Pavilion Stage 4-4:30pm; 8-9:45pm

Otis Clay

Grammy-nominated deep soul singer Otis Clay is one of the premier artists working today. His raw, fiery vocals drive an energetic and danceable blend of blues, soul, and R&B. Born in Waxhaw, Mississippi, Clay began his career in gospel singing and established his career as a deep soul singer with his first recordings made in the mid-60s for George Leaner's One-derful label in Chicago.

A master showman, Otis Clay stays in demand for festival and concert appearances in the U.S., Europe and Japan. A long-time resident of Chicago's West Side, Otis Clay is actively involved in creating community-based non-profit economic initiatives and in the revitalization and redevelopment of the historic Bronzeville neighborhood.

Whether bringing audiences around the globe to their feet with his fiery brand of soul and gospel or working tirelessly with community and church leaders to provide better economic and cultural opportunities for West and South Side Chicago residents, Otis Clay has proven himself to be a national treasure.

Performance Dates:

September 19 at America Square 7:30-9:15pm

September 20 at USA Pavilion 5:30-7pm

New York Rhythm City

New York Rhythm City originating from the Bronx, New York, Rhythm City captures the essence of Hip-Hop in rare form. In a world where style and music are constantly changing Rhythm City’s choreography remains innovative and unique, resulting in a group of individuals who express dance a style of their own. The dancers express themselves through different styles such as contemporary, krumping, voguing, popping, and more. They have traveled and competed nationally, internationally, and locally including making a television appearance on the popular show America’s Best Dance Crew. Rhythm City goes into all aspects the industry offering services as a booking agent and talent agency. Rhythm City has worked with Usher, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Russian Superstar Sasha, Lil Mama, Wyclef Jean, Neyo, Notch, Mariah Carey, and Dominique and Fuse TV, BET, MTV Tres, NBC, ABC, Nickelodeon, and ESPN.

Performance Dates:

Aug 17th at USAP Stage: 10:30-11:00 and 11:30-12:00
Aug 20th at America Square: 11:00-11:30,12:00-12:30
Aug 25th at America Square: 19:30-20:00, 20:30-21:00
Americas Square

PaperDoll Band

PaperDoll is an Asian American girl-fronted indie rock band from New York City. Rolling Stone said they “embody the defiance and joie de vivre that define rock music,” while MTV World described them as “Harder than The Killers and tighter than Pat Benatar ever was.” Their high energy live shows - featuring Lee's uninhibited front woman style - have secured them a cult following in the dance rock scene. They've been featured on MTV, The Today Show, Maxim Radio, and Blender Magazine. 2010 sees the debut of their album Ballad Nerd Pop and brings the band to China on their Global Citizens Tour.

Performance Dates:

August 10th at USA Pavilion Stage: 16:30-17:00, 18:00-18:30, 19:30-20:00, 20:30-21:00
August 11th at USA Pavilion Stage: 16:30-17:00, 18:00-18:30, 19:30-20:00, 20:30-21:00

Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale

Renowned for their commanding musicianship, intelligence and interpretive abilities, Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has cultivated a devoted following worldwide for their highly acclaimed concerts and performances. Established in 1968, its achievements include world tours, recordings with internationally renowned orchestras, television appearances, and praise from critics and audiences worldwide.

The Choir has performed premiers of works under the batons of Maestros Ormandy, Muti, Mehta, Tennstedt and Sawallisch in concerts with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Riccardo Muti hailed the boys as "a treasure" at the performance of the concert version of Puccini's Tosca with internationally acclaimed soloists Carol Vaness, Giuseppe Giacomini, Giorgio Zancanaro and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. Each year, the Pennsylvania Ballet hosts the Choir as part of their seasonal favorite, The Nutcracker.

Internationally, the Choir singers have served as cultural ambassadors for the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Nation, providing foreign hosts with a fresh approach to the image of American youth and an appreciation for new American music. Its message has been heard at the White House, by the Royal Families of Sweden, Denmark, England, Thailand and in over 30 countries around the world, including the People's Republic of China, Cuba, Greece, Ghana, Kenya, Russia, the Vatican and the democracies of Central Europe.

Performance Dates:

August 6th at America Square 11:00-11:30, 12:00-12:30

Chico Lobo

One of the more active guitarists in the trial of valorization and disclosure of the country viola in the world and Brazilian setting, Chico Lobo is proud to be a country composer and singer and faces the viola with respect of a virtuous soloist.

From Minas Gerais, native of São João Del Rei and rooted in Belo Horizonte, recorded diverse CD's, in its majority with own compositions. Chico produced the DVD Brazilian Popular Viola, first DVD of country viola of Brazil, and the idealization and presentation of the TV program "Viola Brazil", divulged in national net.

His charisma and talent make that his career arrived to the arena of Italy, Canada and Portugal, beyond important Brazilian theaters such as Canecão, Palácio das Artes and Memorial da América Latina, where narration, songs and viola solos are part of the exhibition.

Mário de Aratanha, artistic director of the recorder Kuarup, recollects: "Chico never forgot to thanks to São Gonçalo, the patron saints of the guitarists." The critic Marco Frenette, of the Bravo Magazine, considered him the creator of works that destroy any musical prejudice (Jan/2003), while Tárik de Souza, critic of Brazil Newspaper, classifies the artist as "guitarists of lineage, master of the notes cried of the instrument". Chico Lobo is, doubtless, one of the Brazilian's exponents.

Performance Dates:

August 6th at Americas Square 4:30-5:00, 6:00-6:30, 7:30-8:00
August 7th at Americas Square 4:30-5:00, 6:00-6:30, 7:30-8:00
August 9th at Americas Square 4:30-5:00, 6:00-6:30, 7:30-8:00
USA Pavilion Stage

Ori Mana Polynesian Dance

Ori Mana Polynesian Dance is based in Beijing China and led by Joyce Buangan. Joyce was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has over 10 years of professional Polynesian dance experience and has performed overseas in France, Italy, Finland, the Philippines and Tahiti. Joyce has been living in Beijing since 2008 and began Ori Mana Polynesian Dance as a way to teach locals about Polynesian dance, music and culture, which is fairly unknown on mainland China. Together with three of her most dedicated students: Emily (from Beijing), Melody (from Songyuan, Jilin province) and Sun (from Seoul Korea), Joyce will present various forms of Hula and most of all, share her students’ growing appreciation of Hawaiian dance and culture.

Performance Dates:

July 24th 10:30-10:45pm, 11-11:15pm, Tzun Chun 7:30-7:45pm, 8-8:15pm
July 25th 7:15-7:30pm, 7:45-8pm, 8-8:15pm, 8:30-8:45pm
USA Pavilion Stage

Tze Chun

Tze Chun Dance Company (TCDC) creates and presents contemporary dance works that explore relevant themes such as identity, memory formation, and the immigrant experience. The company’s repertory consists of stylistically diverse dance works and multi-media projects. Each piece has a specific and carefully crafted aesthetic, often punctuated by poignant theatricality.

In New York City, the company has presented work at: Dance New Amsterdam, Dance Theater Workshop, University Settlement, The Flea Theater, The Tank, Triskelion Arts, Riverside Theatre, La MaMa Theater, Merce Cunningham Studio, The Brooklyn Lyceum, South Oxford Space, CSV Center, DUO Theater, Minor Latham Playhouse, and the 92nd Street Y. TCDC has also worked at Brentwood School in California and Milton Academy in Massachusetts, setting repertory, creating new works, and holding master classes.

TCDC utilizes newly developed technology and works with multi-media artists as part of its mission to approach themes from new modern perspectives. The company has collaborated with Blake Shaw, Peter Buntaine, Luke Harris, Kate O’Connor and Daniel Iglesia on past projects, films and videos.

Performance Dates:

July 23rd 7:30-7:45pm, 8-8:15pm
July 24th 7:30-7:45pm, 8-8:15pm
USAP Stage

“INK”dance Performance feat. Aly Rose

American and Chinese dancers come together to create massive modern dance “INK” to close the Shanghai World Expo Music Festival July 16th-18th at the Central Expo Outdoor Stage. Conceived, produced and directed by Aly Rose of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, this unique historic artistic collaboration for a large-scale national event is a first in China’s history.

INK is fast moving, abstract in its presentation, technically challenging, and substantial in size. It represents the combined talents of 25 American and Chinese choreographers and dancers through its 10-hour day, 3-week intensive creative process. Accompanied by an impressive and contemporary LED art show for a viewing audience of 2000, this groundbreaking performance is not to be missed.

Aly Rose is the Artistic Director of INK and currently teaches Chinese Dance and Heads the Dance Minor at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.She is the Creator and Director of the mass aerial production Human Architecture ONE. In China, Aly directed Phoenix, which was chosen to close the 2006 Dashanzi International Art Festival. In addition, she worked with Warner Brothers, to help produce and create, the world premiere of John Clifford’s Casablanca, the Dance. In 2003, she was the head-choreographer for Lady in the Dark, the first American Broadway musical to be seen on a Chinese stage. In 2002, she received her M.F.A. in choreography, becoming the first and only Westerner in the history of China to graduate from the Beijing Dance Academy. For the making of INK, she is honored to collaborate with dancers from the Shanghai Theater Academy as well as Jessica Harris, Brooke Broussard, Allison and Hayley Jones from the United States.

Performance Dates:

July 16th-18th at Shanghai World Music Festival (Greenland Square)

KO & KorElement

Kevin "KO" Olusola is a 21-year-old cellist who hails from the small town of Owensboro, Kentucky. He began taking cello lessons at the age of six. During his high school years, he became the Principal Cellist of the Kentucky State Symphony Orchestra, was awarded the David X. Thurmond Director's Award from the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts for being the best young artist in the state of Kentucky, was a soloist on National Public Radio and also at Carnegie Hall for winning the Grand Prize in the 2nd Annual American Fine Arts Festival. During his time as an undergraduate at Yale University, he was a soloist a second time at Carnegie Hall for the Public Broadcasting Station/National Public Radio television show "From the Top: Live from Carnegie Hall," for The "Today" Show, and for the inauguration of the KY Governor.

This past January, Kevin was the Runner-up in world-wide renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma's "Celebrate and Collaborate" international competition out of more than 400 contestants from across the globe. Yo-Yo Ma commented that Kevin's cello/beatbox version of "Dona Nobis Pacem" was "inventive and unexpected." Kevin also received the opportunity to open for renowned American rappers KRS-One and Drake. This past year in China, he performed with the renowned Beijing Opera singer Li Yu Gang (李玉刚）for Beijing Television’s Spring Global Gala Concert, for Ambassador Huntsman at the US Embassy’s July Fourth Celebration, and collaborated with the Beijing New Music Ensemble to celebrate President Obama’s visit to China.

KorElement

Spawned from the very essence of music itself, and unleashed for the sole purpose of creating more, KorElement knows no limits when it comes to capturing the rawest of human emotions and translating them into music to move the soul. The sound of KorElement incorporates hard Hip Hop beats, hypnotic bass lines, Chinese instruments catchy hooks, and lyrics pertinent to all.

With years spent growing up on the east coast of America, plying his trade and collaborating with an array of musicians over a wide range of genres, KorElement constantly drove himself and those around him to better their art and produce sounds to be proud of. Now he is in the Far East making music about the happenings of his new locale, Beijing, China.

Performance Dates:

Thursday, July 15th at the USA Pavilion Stage 6:00-6:45pm, 7:30-8:15pm