From staff reports
Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts will host a concert titled “HeartStrings: East Meets West” at 3 p.m. Sunday in Lincoln Hall in Foxburg. The performance will feature Appalasia, String Bouquet and the Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo with contralto Daphne Alderson.
The concert promises to be an afternoon of music from ancient China to the Appalachians, from the classical courts of Europe to recording studios of the 20th century, as erhu and pipa join banjo and dulcimer and two guitars become a band and vocalists soar.
String Bouquet features world-famous artists Jin Yang and Mimi Jong, who have been dedicated to the study and performance of traditional Chinese music. Since meeting in 2015, they have embarked on a musical journey. Their versatile styles include Chinese traditional, global, western classical, jazz, pop and modern music. Their multi-media projects include collaboration with dance and various performance arts. String Bouquet continues to explore and expand the possibilities of their creativity, bringing exciting music presentations to their audience.
Appalasia was formed by Mimi Jong, Jeff Berman and Sue Powers. Together they have created an evocative and ambitious performance language for dulcimer, erhu, banjo and vocals that combines the influence of their folk-roots with original composition and inspired improvisation.
Pittsburgh Concert Society winners, the Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo, have been heard frequently on concert series presented by Carnegie Mellon University, the International Poetry Forum and the Dear Friends Ensemble. The duo consists of James Ferla and John Marcinizyn.
As soloists and ensemble players, they have performed throughout the United States at the Smithsonian, the University of Akron, Arizona State, the Chatauqua Institution, Oberlin College, Florida State University, New York University and Notre Dame. They have been heard on NPR, Voice of America, USIA, Chukyo TV-Nagayo, Japan, and in Pittsburgh on WQED-FM.
Daphne Alderson’s diverse career as lyric contralto includes opera, cabaret, oratorio and chamber music.
Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for ARCA members and $5 for students. Call (724) 659-3153 or visit www.alleghenyriverstone.org to reserve tickets.
Before the concert, the Exhibit of Student Artists from the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School, under the direction of art teacher Anita Allen, will open at the Red Brick Gallery from 1 to 3 p.m., 17 Main St. in Foxburg.
