BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR IRAQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2003 For more info contact: Benjamin Boone (559 – 237 – 4403 / bboone@csufresno.edu) or Robert Strizich (559 – 435 – 8090 / rstrizich@earthlink.net) BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR IRAQ On Monday, May 12, a group of Fresno artists will present an artistic response to the war and occupation in Iraq. Entitled "Fresno Musicians, Poets, Dancers and Artists Respond to the War and Occupation In Iraq," the program will consist of musical performances, poetry readings, dance and visual art. Fresno State faculty members from the departments of Music, English and Dance, as well local visual artists from the Fresno community will participate. "We see this as a dual opportunity for the community to come together to support worthwhile humanitarian efforts as well as gain an artistic perspective on current events," says Dr. Benjamin Boone, Assistant Professor of Music at CSUF. "Artists in all disciplines generally choose to deal with the human condition. Historically the art, music, and poetry of a given time tell us a great deal about a culture, its values and its condition and this program is a continuation of that tradition." The musical performances of works chosen for their relevance to today's geopolitical situation will feature classical pieces by Johann Kaspar Mertz, Arvo Pärt, Ralph Vaughn-Williams, and Anton Webern, among others. The performers will include Jose Diaz (oboe), Geoffrey Friedley (tenor), Thomas Hiebert (horn), Lenore Hiebert (piano), Helene Joseph-Weil (mezzo soprano), Andreas Werz (piano), Cory Whitehead (guitar), and Dieter Wulfhorst ('cello). Poetry will be read by Ruth Schwartz and Corrinne Hales. An original dance work will be choreographed and danced by Ruth Griffin, and visual art will be specially created for the event by painter Aaron Doyle. "In this performance, some of the area's finest musicians, poets, dancers and visual artists will examine war and occupation from an artistic point of view," states composer Robert Strizich of the CSUF Music Department. "The arts speak in the language of the soul and communicate directly with the deeper layers of the psyche; on that profound level they help us not only to comprehend the root causes of war, but also to contemplate the true emotional and psychological impact of armed aggression and conflict -- in short, they enable us to become more aware, sensitive and caring human beings." A benefit for both the Middle East Children's Alliance and Peace Fresno, the performance will take place at 8 PM in Wahlberg Recital Hall, on the campus of the California State University, Fresno. There is a suggested $10 donation, but no one will be turned away. A reception after the performance will enable audience members to meet the performers and further discuss issues raised by the performance. For more information, phone the CSU Fresno Music Department at (559) 278-2654. ###