US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4550

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004550 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), ECA/A/S/A 
(MTHOMPSONJONES), IIP/G/NEA-SA (TSCOTT) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, OEXC, OIIP, SCUL, XF, KU 
SUBJECT: CIRCUS GUY ROCKS KUWAIT, PROMOTES STUDYUSA 
 
1.  SUMMARY: The Arab-American rock group "Circus Guy" 
conducted a "Study in the U.S." musical tour in Kuwait 
September 26-28, 2005.  Circus Guy held concerts and 
educational workshops for youth audiences and the Kuwaiti 
public.  The band performed at several private schools and 
Kuwait's Scientific Center.  Their programs promoted higher 
education in the U.S. before more than 1,000 Kuwaiti 
students and 2,000 plus spectators at Marina Mall and 
achieved excellent press coverage.  END SUMMARY. 
 
From Iraq to New York to Kuwait 
------------------------------- 
 
2.  September 26-28, American rock band Circus Guy, 
comprised of New York-based Michael Culhane (lead singer, 
songwriter, guitarist), Greg Ross (vocals, bass guitar), 
Alan Bigelow (guitar, vocals), Frank Marino (drums, 
percussion), and Cairo-based T.H. "Taha" Culhane (singer, 
songwriter, guitarist), held a number of concerts and 
educational workshops in Kuwait targeting youth audiences. 
 
Connecting with Kuwaiti Youth 
----------------------------- 
 
3.  The Iraqi-American Culhane brothers aptly blended 
American and Arabic pop music with original pieces, 
demonstrating America's cultural diversity to Kuwaiti 
Muslim youth who are potential future students at American 
colleges and universities.  Circus Guy facilely engaged 
youth audiences with their energetic, lyrical performances 
and high audience participation techniques.  The Culhane 
brothers integrated the "Study in the U.S." message into 
every event, using IIP materials and RBO products, and 
distributing 400 colorful Embassy-designed tee shirts. 
 
Come Study at "Hotel California" 
-------------------------------- 
 
4.  The tour kicked off with a raucous performance at Al- 
Bayan Bi-lingual School's auditorium.  Musicians joined 
hands with students and danced in the aisles.  More than 
300 predominantly Kuwaiti students sang and cheered 
throughout the show, donning "Education U.S.A." tee shirts 
thrown to the crowd by the band.  The group ended with a 
rousing "study in the U.S." rendition of Hotel California. 
 
Creativity in the Classroom 
--------------------------- 
 
5.  Next, the musicians conducted an environmental workshop 
for about 100 students and teachers of the British School 
of Kuwait, at the I-Max theater of Kuwait's Scientific 
Center.  Merging music, PowerPoint, and video Taha Culhane, 
a science teacher in Egypt, led the unique workshop, 
encouraging students and instructors to use innovative 
American learning techniques in their classes. 
 
Mixing Education and Music 
-------------------------- 
 
6.  On September 27, Circus Guy held a science 
"edutainment" [education + entertainment] workshop, for 100 
American School of Kuwait (ASK) fifth-graders.  Following 
the workshop, the DCM opened a concert for 300 high-school 
students and urged them to consider studying in the U.S. 
That evening, the band performed for 60 Public Affairs 
contacts, including students from the American University 
of Kuwait, jamming with a Kuwaiti drummer and a lutist. 
 
Dancing in the Aisles 
--------------------- 
 
7.  On September 28, Circus Guy held a workshop for 100 
fifth-graders at the Universal American School, followed by 
a concert, introduced by the DCM, for about 150 high-school 
students.  Students in the back row remained on their feet 
during the two-hour concert and were rewarded with 
Education U.S.A. tee shirts.  In a thank-you note to the 
CAO, the Superintendent, wrote, "It was truly one of the 
finest instructive programs presented to this institution." 
 
Jamming at the Mall 
------------------- 
 
8.  Circus Guy's Kuwaiti tour culminated on the shores of 
the Arabian Gulf, at the posh, heavily frequented Marina 
Mall.  More than 2,000 young Kuwaitis witnessed the evening 
concert, clapping, singing, and swaying in unison with the 
music.  Boys wearing traditional dishdashas or jeans, ball 
caps, and tee shirts, enjoyed the show as did girls 
sporting black abayas with diverse hijab (head covering) 
styles or western attire.  The group played requests, 
handed out tee shirts, and publicized "Education U.S.A." 
web sites.  Three musicians from Kuwait's Higher Institute 
of Music and Art accompanied Circus Guy on the traditional 
Kuwaiti drum, oud, and violin.  Linking American music and 
Arabic melodies was an appealing and effective strategy. 
 
Raising the U.S. Cultural Profile 
--------------------------------- 
 
9.  Besides engaging over 2,000 young Kuwaitis with the 
"study in the U.S." message at the Marina Mall concert, 
more than 1,000 Kuwaiti students experienced first hand 
American music and cultural diversity during the group's 
performances and workshops.  This program enhanced the 
Embassy's cultural presence, encouraged Kuwaitis to 
consider study in the U.S., and promoted American values. 
 
10.  The concert tour received significant, positive press 
coverage that stressed the "study in the U.S." theme: 
 
Al-Seyassah, 9/27/05, p. 21, Arabic, 1/4 page, circ. 45,000 
Arab Times, 9/27/05, p. 23, English, 1/3 page, circ. 40,000 
Kuwait Times, 9/27/05, front page and p. 2, English, 1/3 
page, circ. 35,000 
Al-Watan, 9/28/05, p. 9, Arabic, 1/8 page, circ. 65,000 
Al-Rai Al-Aam on 9/29/05, p. 21, Arabic, 1/4 page, circ. 
70,000 
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) link: 
http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Langua ge=en&DSNO=773 
320 
Embassy Kuwait web site: 
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/pr_09262005.html 
Circus guy's web site: http://www.circusguy.com 
 
Eager Program Partners 
---------------------- 
 
11.  Kuwait's National Council for Arts, Culture, and 
Letters, the Kuwait Scientific Center, three private 
schools, and the Marina Mall, enthusiastically offered 
venues for Circus Guy's programs.  The target schools are 
composed of more than 80 per cent Kuwaiti students.  The 
Marina Mall, site of the outdoor concert, is currently the 
most popular hangout for Kuwaiti teens and young people. 
After learning of the program, other local schools have 
approached the Embassy to program similar activities. 
 
Follow-up and Future Events 
--------------------------- 
 
12.  Public Affairs will continue active efforts to promote 
study in the U.S. with partner institutions during 
International Education Week.  Kuwaiti instructors and 
students plan to incorporate Circus Guy's multi-media 
approach to science education in their classrooms. 
 
LEBARON