The "Around the World" Music Series presentsBouzouki Music of Greecefeaturing bouzouki player Kostas Revelasand guitarist George Papazekos8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 12, 2015North Water Street Gallery 300 N. Water Street, Suite HKent, Ohio$10 suggested donation (or pay what you can)preceded by 7:30 p.m. meet-and-greet featuring light Greek food and drinks (dolmades, Retsina, Metaxa, and fruit juices) Facebook event page:https://www.facebook.com/events/1659871704226623/ Event description: Traditional music of Greece performed by phenomenal young bouzouki player Kostas Revelas, with guitar accompaniment by George Papazekos. The performance will also feature stories about the origin of the music and instruments, as well as the performers' travels through the Greek islands. The program will begin with songs of the rebetiko tradition originating in the Greek communities of Asia Minor, then progress through a variety of more modern styles of bouzouki-based Greek music. Several different types of bouzouki (long-necked lute) will be demonstrated during the performance. About the performers: Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Kostas (Konstantinos) Revelas is a bouzouki player with a dazzling technique and keen ear for tradition. As a second generation Greek American growing up in a musical family, he was first inspired to learn Greek music from his father, who played many different instruments, as well as family tradition. Learning the bouzouki at the age of 9, he began performing professionally while still in high school. Travels through Greece, including the islands of the Aegean, as well as absorbing music from more senior performers in the area, have enriched his repertoire. Over the years, he has learned from and worked with such U.S.-based bouzouki players as George Soffos, Iordanis Fillipidis, Costas Charalambous, Leonidas Zafiris, and Simos Nikolopoulos. In addition, he has been influenced by players including Jack Gregory Halkias, Markos Vamvakaris, Vasilis Tsitsanis, Iouannis Pappaiouannou, Manolis Hiotis, Haris Lemonopoulos, Giannis Stamatiou, Manolis Karantinis, Panagiotis Stergiou, and Ioannis and Nikos Tatasopoulos. Revelas currently leads the Musicians of OLYMPUS-Cleveland Greek Band as well as the cross-cultural group Mira Tamam, giving frequent performances for Greek weddings and other festivities. With his bouzouki/keyboard duo, he performs every Friday at 6 p.m. for the Taverna Nights at Santorini Greek Taverna in Cleveland, which feature Greek cuisine and music in an authentic atmosphere. George Papazekos is a guitarist based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania specializing in rebetiko music and other traditional musics of Greece. He has performed in Carnegie Music Hall and other prestigious venues in and around Pittsburgh. Kostas Revelas video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZHP1iLIlpg * * * * * The North Water Street Gallery is conveniently located just a block north of the intersection of Main and Water Streets in Kent, Ohio, with free street parking on both sides of the street. Seating is limited, so arrive early for the best seats. ---------------- The "Around the World" Music Series is a new concert series presenting outstanding musicians from diverse cultures in an intimate setting. Concerts are held approximately every other month in the new theater space of the North Water Street Gallery, conveniently located in downtown Kent, Ohio. The series is an initiative of Standing Rock Cultural Arts, and is curated by ethnomusicologist David Badagnani. Standing Rock Cultural Arts Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/SRCAKent Standing Rock Cultural Arts official site:http://www.standingrock.net/