Oakland's Cambodian Exhibit and New Year Goes Big, Everyone's Invited! April 21, 2012

In celebration of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park's special exhibit Rhythm of the Refugee: A Cambodian Journey of Healing, Oakland's Cambodian New Year is being held in the Fruitvale neighborhood at this extraordinary community park!

The event features traditional music, led by 92-year-old Master Musician Nhep Prok, who teaches youth an almost-lost style of music. "Our music cannot die with me," says Nhep Prok, "My duty and purpose is to pass it down. Khmer music saved my life."

Enjoy performances by Cambodian hip-hop artist Ratha "RJ" Jim and Ratana "B" Jim, whose unique dance style, "Khmurf," combines Khmer monkey mask dance with Oakland's homegrown Turf (Taking Up Room on the Floor). You can also sing karaoke and play Cambodian games for kids and adults. Cambodian artists will sell food and crafts.

On April 17th, 1975, the Khmer Rouge Regime rose to power in Cambodia in the aftermath of years of U.S. carpet bombing. By the end of their rule they were responsible for the deaths of over 1.7 million Cambodians. In 2012, the Khmer Rouge's top officials are finally on trial for war crimes. For many Cambodians in diaspora, the trials mean facing a history almost too painful to recall.

An estimated 95% of Cambodia's artists, dancers, and musicians were executed by the Khmer Rouge, which targeted educated people. It is no small wonder, then, that the dancers and musicians featured at this year's Cambodian New Year in Oakland command special respect, both from Cambodians and lovers of world music and culture.

Festival-goers can tour the museum between performances. The exhibit Rhythm of the Refugee displays photographs, stories, and cultural objects from Oakland's Cambodian community. You can also see permanent historical exhibits in the Peralta House museum that tell the story of the transformation of the East Bay during the Spanish and Mexican periods through sound, images, and touchable objects.

Official Website: http://www.peraltahacienda.org