Passport Fridays program at QMA

The Queens Museum of Art will kick off the fourth season of its Passport Fridays program on Friday, July 11 with an event highlighting the culture of West Africa.
Passport Fridays is being presented with American Express and the Queens Museum of Art is also partnering with Arts Engine’s Media That Matters Film Festival for it.
The program will take place every Friday through August 22. During the outdoor summer festival, there will be international music, dance and film focusing on different countries each week. The programs will run from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
When Passport Fridays first focuses on West Africa, the program will begin with live drumming and dance by Ballet International Africans. The group will also hold introductory workshops. This will be followed by a screening of the film “Kirikou and the Wild Beasts.”
During each of the events, children will be able to participate in free art workshops between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Queens Museum of Art’s galleries and caf/ will also be open until 8 p.m.
On July 18, the series will focus on Brazil with music from Eli Efi and DJ Laylo, dance by Carioca Capoeira & Samba Group, and the film “Antonia.” This will be followed on July 25 with events highlighting Morocco, including music from the Rachid Halihal Ensemble and DJ Alias, dancing by Evie and the film “I Love Hip Hop in Morocco.”
To focus on China on August 1, the Renaissance Chinese Opera Society will perform and the film “The King of Masks” will be shown. Ecuador will be featured on August 8 with dancing by Andrea Haenggi and AMDaT, music from Inkhay and a screening of “How Much Further.” On August 15, the program will turn its attentions to India with dancing by Paul Singh and his group Singh & Dance, music from DJ Rekha and the film “The Namesake.”
Passport Fridays 2008 will conclude on August 22 with Mexico being featured. The evening will include dance performances by Laura Peterson Choreography and Anthony Whitehurst and music from Mariachi Oro de Mexico. “Under the Same Moon” will be screened.
The Queens Museum of Art is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. For more information, visit www.queensmuseum.org or call 718-592-9700.