(noticia) Arts fest balances the near and far

Performers: Homegrown acts will share stages with artists from around the world at the annual Columbia event.

By Karen Nitkin
Special To The Sun
Originally published April 17, 2005

This year's Columbia Festival of the Arts will feature performers from all over the world, including a band from Ireland, a dance company from Arizona, and musicians from Cuba.

Homegrown talent will have a strong showing as well, with artists ranging from the Junkyard Saints to the Glenelg High School Jazz Band.

Nichole Hickey, managing director and chief executive officer of the festival, said the annual event started in 1987 with a strong focus on local artists, but over time it expanded to include national and international performers.

In the past few years, she said, the pendulum has swung back to the local, and now the festival has found a balance between talent from nearby and far away. (...)

On Saturday, June 18, the Rouse Theatre will be the site of costumes, magic and illusion as Imago Theatre's production of FROGZ takes the stage for performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. "It's wild and wacky," Hickey said. The cost is $25-$45.

The festival's grand finale will be the U.S. premier of Tango Flamenco, a touring company that has created a fusion of Argentinian flamenco and classical Spanish dance, Hickey said. Tango Flamenco will appear at 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Rouse Theatre. Tickets will be $40-$55.

"It's hot, it's passionate, it's high drama," Hickey said. "It's really something."

She was talking about Tango Flamenco, but she could just as well have been referring to the whole festival.



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