MEDIA CONTACT: Polly Burks
561-297-2595, pburks@fau.edu

FAU Celebrates Latin American Guitar

BOCA RATON, FL (January 27, 2006) - The Caribbean and Latin American Studies (CLAS) program in Florida Atlantic University's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters recently presented three of today's finest Latin American guitar players in a guitar festival, "The Latin American Guitar: Master Performers from Venezuela and Cuba." The festival was held at the Broward County Main Library at 100 S. Andrews Road in Fort Lauderdale and was sponsored by Broward County, Sun-Sentinel/el Sentinel and the law firm of Finizio and Finizio, P.A., Fort Lauderdale.

"The Law Offices of Finizio and Finizio are committed to representing the rights and interests of the Caribbean and Latin American populations in South Florida and to making contributions to help make their community a better place," said Paul Finizio. "We welcome the opportunity to sponsor events such as this that showcase the talent and celebrate the culture of Latin America."

The first day of the festival included a lecture by Alejandro Bruzual on the history of the Venezuelan guitar and a performance by Leonardo Lozano on the Venezuelan cuatro. The second day of the festival included a performance by Carlos Molina, who is considered to be the founder of the Cuban School of Guitar, and the final day featured Ricardo Iznaola with "The Venezuelan Guitar" and Sergiu Schwartz on violin. A reception with local business people and artists followed the final performance.

"It has been a great honor to be able to bring some of the most fascinating sounds and ideas of the Latin American guitar to the South Florida community," said Luis Duno-Gottberg, director of the Caribbean and Latin American Studies Program at FAU. "Through events such as these, we hope to bring the vibrant culture of the Caribbean and Latin America to life."

For further information about FAU's Caribbean and Latin American Studies Program, call 561-297-0612 or email lduno@fau.edu.

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