The American Hip Hop Program Next Level is Coming to Mongolia From September 16 – 28, 2019!
Next Level is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State, the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Meridian International Center. Its mission is to use hip hop music and dance to foster cross-cultural creative exchange in diverse communities. The U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar is partnering with Universal Zulu Nation – Mongolia to organize Next Level in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from September 16-27, 2019. The showcase consists of three primary components: workshops, jam sessions/cultural collaborations, and a final concert. Ten envoys, featuring four main hip hop artists in hip hop dance, beatmaking, DJing, and rapping/MCing will conduct a two-week intensive targeted programming in Mongolia.
The local implementing partner for the program, the Universal Zulu Nation – Mongolia, was selected based on an open call the U.S. Embassy announced on July 8, 2019. The Universal Zulu Nation is led by Mr. E. Munkhbold, a member of the Superbad Chapter of the Universal Zulu Nation and founder of the Extreme Crew Studio. We hope that by partnering with Universal Zulu Nation this program will be able to connect with Mongolian and regional hip hop communities that take part in national and international events and competitions such as R16, Challenge Cup, Mongolian Bboy City, and UB Dance.
Purpose:
Next Level is an international musical and cultural exchange program that works with U.S. embassies and consulates to reach as many constituencies as possible, especially underserved communities and youth. This program is part of the public outreach campaign declared by the governments of the United States and Mongolia to celebrate 2019 as the “U.S. – Mongolia Year of Youth.” Next Level’s program aligns with U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar’s mission to empower youth, especially those in the marginalized populations, while sharing American talent, culture, and mentorship. Next Level will conduct artist-to-artist exchanges, community and press events, and educational programs (workshops, lecture-demonstrations, master classes, etc.), as well as formal and informal live performances. The educational component promotes mutual cultural understanding, conflict resolution, and entrepreneurship, all of which are embedded in the daily interactions with local participants.
Next Level Mongolia 2019 program objectives are:
- To celebrate “2019 U.S. – Mongolia Year of Youth” engaging American and Mongolian youth, the Mongolian government, media, and the public as much as possible;
- To provide opportunities for Mongolian audiences to become exposed to American viewpoints on socially relevant issues explored in Next Level education and cultural activities;
- To spread understanding about hip hop culture as an art form that sparks self-expression, awareness, dialogue, and community based solutions to contemporary social issues;
- To provide young Mongolian artists with entrepreneurial tips and tools for professionalizing and marketing their art;
- To encourage American artists and educators to build lasting partnerships and friendships from their work and experience while learning about life and culture in Mongolia.
Next Level Main Activities & Events are:
The objectives above will be met by organizing the following three types of activities & events:
- Workshops: NEXT LEVEL Academy
These workshops will take place daily for three hours with the same group of youth and young adults. Four different workshops will occur simultaneously: Dance, Beatmaking, DJing and Rapping/MCing, with a maximum of 10-15 participants in each. Dance workshops may be able to accept as many as 25 participants. Participants will be selected through a registration form which will be provided early September, 2019.
Date: 2019.09.16 – 26
Time: 15:00 – 18:00
Venue: Ulaanbaatar Ensemble
Fee: Free
Categories: Beatmaking, DJ-ing, MC-ing, Breakdancing
Registration: Registration open until September 10!
Event page on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/events/521723978579974/
- Jam Sessions and Collaborative Community Events*
Collaborative meetings between the American artists and local professional musicians will provide opportunities for musical and social exchanges. Local musicians can be Hip Hop artists or musicians of traditional forms of music. This session will be for 2-3 hours, with the possibility of a follow up session or rehearsal if the artists desire. Artists may choose to share something that they created together during the jam session as part of the final public performance, although this is not required.
* More Info: TBA
- Concert: NEXT LEVEL Public Concert
After the workshops have concluded, a final public performance will be held to showcase the work of the American artists, workshop participants, and potentially collaborative pieces created in the jam sessions.
Date: 2019.09.27
Time: 19:00 – 21:00
Venue: Ulaanbaatar Ensemble
Fee: Free
Event page on Social Media: TBA
Local Organizer, Partners and Contact:
The main organizers are the Next Level program managers, the Public Affair Section of the U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar, and Universal Zulu Nation – Mongolia. Supporting partner organizations include but are not limited to: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, the Ulaanbaatar Ensemble, and the Sound of Mongolia. Any press, media, cultural and education institution or other organization interested in covering the program or in cooperation may contact: pao@usembassy.mn & paspress@usemabssy.mn.
#nextlevel; #nextlevelmongolia; #exchangeourworld; #hiphopdiplomacy; #YearOfYouth2019; #ЗалуучуудынЖил2019
For Press Kit about Next Level – Team Mongolia 2019, click here.
