Lily Afshar, deemed “one of the world’s foremost classical guitarists” by Public Radio International, will bring her unique blend of Eastern and Western influences to the Rosenzweig Arts Center’s Omnova Theater Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3:30 p.m.
The gifted Tehran-born artist and past Kennedy Center performer is head of the guitar program at the University of Memphis and maintains an active schedule of solo, chamber and concerto appearances across the country and on the international stage.
Afshar’s performances have been described as “remarkable and impeccable” by The Washington Post, and One Way magazine dubbed her a “guitar goddess.” Her talent has garnered numerous awards, including the Orville H. Gibson Award for Best Female Classical Guitarist in Los Angeles and grand prize in the Aspen Music Festival Guitar Competition and in the Guitar Foundation of America Competition.
A graduate of the Boston Conservatory and the New England Conservatory of Music, Afshar studied at the Banff Centre for Fine Arts and the Academia Musicale Chigana in Siena, Italy. She was one of 12 international artists selected to play for maestro Andres Segovia in his master classes held at the University of Southern California — after which he predicted she would “become a beautiful celebrity.”
Concert tickets are $8 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., in downtown Columbus, or $10 at the door, if available.
Free reception
The performance follows a free reception from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the RAC’s main gallery, opening the eclectic Starving Artist Exhibit.
The afternoon offerings add to a wealth of activity in downtown Columbus Nov. 8. Visitors can also walk across Fifth Street to visit the Decorative Arts and Preservation Forum’s Antiques Show and Sale at Trotter Convention Center. Many downtown merchants will also be open from 1-5 p.m. for Christmas Open House.
For more information about the guitar concert or the exhibit reception, contact the Arts Council at 662-328-2787, or visit www.columbus-arts.com.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
