Akron Symphony Orchestra + Druk Fusion Band = Good Music
Threatening skies gave way to a warm and somewhat humid evening at the Firestone Metro Park on Sunday evening of July 24. Several hundred people brought lawn chairs to sit in front of a large, portable stage for a concert by the Akron Symphony Orchestra (ASO). What made this concert special for Bhutanese Community Association of Akron (BCAA) members was that Puspa Gajmer and the Druk Fusion Band performed Ukali Orali Haruma, a traditional Nepali song arranged by Nati Kaji and Roger Zahab. It was an auspicious moment for musicians in the Akron refugee artistic community.
Many people brought chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening of light classical music of such pieces as Bernstein's Candide Overture, Bugler's Holiday by Leroy Anderson, the Andante and Hungarian Rondo by Weber performed superbly by violist Aaron Mossburg, Espana by Chabrier, Dance of the Buffoons by Rimsky-Korsakov, and Procession of the Sardar by Ippolitov-Ivanov. Music excited the ears through a relaxing evening
On behalf of its members, BCAA would like to thank the City of Akron for sponsoring these concerts, Kyle Kutuchief of the Knight Foundation for suggesting such a cultural collaboration, Christopher Williams for bringing together the musical talents to make it happen, and Roger Zahab for attending rehearsals by the Druk Fusion Band and writing the orchestral arrangement.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
A Day in the BCAA Office
Many people wonder what goes on in the BCAA office. This page describes the various meetings that took place on Saturday, May 14. 2016.
While the citizenship class was meeting in the front room of the office, In the back room President Bishnu Subba and Adviser Dil Rimal meet with Ming-Hao Shiao from the Interntional Institute of Akron to talk about ways in which BCAA and IIA might work together to help refugees resettling in the Akron area. Bhakta Ghimiree joined the meeting and Dhan Rimal were in attendance as was Terry Kuhn (behind the camera).
As a follow-up to this meeting, Ming sent an email suggesting potential collaboration for offering citizenship education and classes, possible classroom space at IIA. She also suggested how BCAA could obtain USCIS education materials, naturalization forms, and information on citizenship through exceptions and accommodations. Ming was very gracious and BCAA looks forward to working with her in the future.
Following the citizenship class and the meeting with Ming-Hao, the officers gathered to talk with members of the Peace Zone Sporting Club (PZSC) about the upcoming cricket and soccer matches in June and July. PZSC was seeking a support letter which would help with their fund-raising efforts. Dr. Kuhn offered to draft such a letter on behalf of BCAA and send it to Bharat Bista.
It was another busy day in the BCAA Office. Contact your officers if you have suggestions for the association.
Section Title
This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors.