Roots & Rhythms is a cultural arts and music education program fostering positive ties to local communities. Founded in 2008, thanks to an award from the City of Austin's Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division, the program operates under the sponsorship of the beautiful One World Theatre Non-Profit. Roots & Rhythms is proud to have been awarded additional funding to support instrument making workshops for 700 students at Overton Elementary in 2012-2013, as well as funding to support a monthly West African Dance Series at Houston Elementary in 2015-2016,  through the generous support of MindPop and the Creative Classroom Fund.

Roots & Rhythms Students:

• Learn the importance of working collaboratively
• Take risks in assuming leadership roles
• View recyclables as sources for instrument making
• Learn basic composition and create their own, socially themed performance pieces
• Meet and interact with Guest Teaching Artists in the community
• Recognize the value of their own, and others, cultural backgrounds
• Develop critical public presentation skills

Current and Past Workshop Locations

• One World Theatre
• Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
• University of Texas at Austin
• City of Austin's Austin New Year Festival (ANY)
• St. Edward's University
  
• Mariposas Spanish School for Kids
• El Buen Samaritano
• Camp El Ranchito
• Casa Montessori
• Theatre Action Project (now Creative Action)
  
• Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
  
• St. Stephen's Episcopal School
  

The pilot program at Houston Elementary in Southeast Austin has entered its 12th year, with ongoing weekly classes being offered throughout the school year. Through early collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area, and Austin ISD's Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE), the program has been able to offer year long teaching artist residencies at Overton, Cook, Blazier, Perez, and Pickle Elementary Schools, and Mendez Middle School.