Faith Based Institution Tour musicians, Cuerdas de Fuego

FBI TOUR BRINGS MUSIC OF CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA TO OHIO

The Ohio Arts Council, in partnership with the Ohio Arts Presenters Network, will present its statewide faith based institution performing arts tour November 28­December 11. This year¹s tour will feature Cuerdas de Fuego, which means strings of fire.

Cuerdas de Fuego performs fiery, passionate and romantic music that blends folk music and dance melodies from South America with original music of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Spanish, Caribbean and Central American influence. The musicians are Ramón Romero on Paraguayan harp, Rafael "Fucho" Aparicio on maracas and Venezuelan-style cuatro and Carlitos Sermeño on guitar and charango.

The OAC's faith based institution performing arts tour project began in 1998 with the presentation of Barroco Andino, a Chilean music ensemble, and continued with Ragamala Music and Dance Theatre in 1999 and Viva Quetzal in 2000. The project was established to expose new audiences to art forms from around the world through faith based institutions, which are at the heart of every community.

Cuerdas de Fuego performances will take place in Cleveland, November 28; Akron, November 29; Youngstown, (Con't page 3)

CELEBRATE FIRST NIGHT AT THE RIFFE GALLERY

The Riffe Gallery will help usher in the New Year during First Night Columbus on December 31 from 6-10:30 p.m. First Night is a community oriented, alcohol-free celebration for all ages that showcases over 500 visual and performing artists.

Visit the Riffe Gallery on New Year¹s Eve for special viewing hours of Coming of Age: Ohio Arts Council Fellowship Recipients. The exhibition features 12 Ohio artists who have received one or more OAC Individual Artist Fellowships and have been making art for at least 25 years. It is the second in a series of four Riffe Gallery exhibitions celebrating the YEAR OF THE ARTIST, July 2001-July 2002.

   During First Night, the Riffe Gallery will conduct kid-friendly tours and hand out free door prizes for people 12 and under. Gallery admission is always free and staff will be available to answer questions about the exhibition. The Ohio Arts Council¹s Riffe Gallery is in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, State and High Streets, Columbus. The gallery will also be open during its regular hours on Monday, December 31st from 10-4 p.m. For more information call 614/644-9624.