University Welcomes 2nd Annual Kurdish Arts Festival Sept 6-8

NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – A weekend of traditional Kurdish music, dance, art and food will take place at the Performing Arts Center and Kean Hall on the Tennessee State University campus, Friday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 8.

The 2nd Annual Kurdish Arts Festival, sponsored by the Kurdish Cultural Institute, and Tennessee State University, will be one of the most exciting Kurdish showcases in Nashville and North America. Kurdish artists and creative talents from the U.S. and from countries around the world including Turkey, Iraq, Europe and Canada, are scheduled to perform and present the rich history of the Kurdish heritage.

The Festival kicks off Friday from 5-10 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. There will be a reception, Kurdish dance show and music during the opening night festivities. Ticket prices for Friday’s opening night events are $10 per person.

Saturday’s events begin at 10 a.m. with an educational seminar. The events take place until 8 p.m. and include music, short films, theater, guest speakers and award presentations. Admission is $10. Lunch consisting of traditional Kurdish food will also be available for purchase.

The three-day event wraps up Sunday with a Festival Celebration beginning at 6 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. in Kean Hall. Admission is $15 and will include a night of traditional dance and music.

Ticket prices for children 6-10 are $5 with children under 6 admitted free. TSU students, faculty and staff admitted free with University ID.

According to organizers, the annual festival is the premier Kurdish artistic and cultural networking event in the States, and one of the most exciting Kurdish showcases in North America, and is expected to draw thousands of guests to Nashville and Tennessee State University. Proceeds from the Festival will assist in building a scholarship foundation for Kurdish students, both in the United States and abroad who are in need of financial assistance, and to allow them the opportunity to study and further their education in the areas of arts and music at Tennessee State University.

For more information, email kci@kci-usa.org or visit kurdishartsfestival.org.

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu