PITT'S NATIONALITY ROOMS PROGRAM TO HOST JAPANESE CULTURAL PERFORMANCE

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 23 -- The University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms program will host a Japanese cultural performance on Sunday, March 1 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Frick Fine Arts Building, Oakland.

Guests will enjoy ethnic Japanese music and songs from different time periods performed by three selected artists. A reception will follow the show.

The three performers are Mika Kimula, a vocalist of 20th century Japanese music who is now a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Chatham College; Mariko Yamamoto, a Koto and Shamisen player and a Jiuta singer who is a special guest artist from Japan for the "Hina Matsuri" Festival; and Michael Pestel, a flutist and sound artist who is also the director of the "Year of Japan" Program at Chatham College.

The purpose of this event is to provide a better understanding of Japanese culture to the American public, and to raise funds for construction of a Japanese Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning.

This event is presented by the Japan-America Cultural Center of Pittsburgh and the Japanese Nationality Room Committee. It is supported by the University of Pittsburgh Nationality Room Program and Chatham College.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, please call 624-6150.

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