Israeli ensemble Baladino makes note of rural areas in visit

By Kristen Mott, CJN Staff Reporter | Posted: Thursday, October 3, 2013 12:00 pm | Updated: 3:14 pm, Wed Oct 9, 2013.

Israeli world music ensemble Baladino will visit Medina and Stark counties for a one-week residency Monday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, Oct. 12.

Baladino is the first of four ensembles to perform in Ohio through a two-year grant program by Arts Midwest, a nonprofit regional arts organization based in Minneapolis. Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, was the only organization in Ohio selected by Arts Midwest to host Baladino.

“It’s pretty amazing because we’re an all-volunteer nonprofit and they normally select more established organizations,” said Thomas Sigel, executive director of Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach.

Sigel started the organization in October 2010 after realizing there was a lack of music, arts and culture programming available in Ohio, especially in schools and in more rural counties.

“We wanted to start an organization with the goal of making arts and culture accessible to all,” he said. “The focus would be on minority, disadvantaged and rural populations.”

Baladino, whose music incorporates klezmer, Turkish and Mediterranean influences, will host workshops at schools, community outreach programs at libraries and perform two public concerts, the first on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Puffenberger Hall in Canal Fulton and the second on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Highland High School in Medina.

Sigel said Medina and Stark counties were targeted for Baladino’s residency because they comprise more rural and poor areas.

“We’re going to expose these children, many of whom have never experienced live music before, to workshops where they will be able to participate with the Israeli ensemble,” he said.

Sigel said he hopes the programs draw people from surrounding towns and counties, exposing them to new music and his organization’s programming.

“The goal is to touch as many people as possible during the course of the week and warmly embrace the Israelis as ambassadors and show them our good will as well,” Sigel said. “Hopefully at the end of the week it’ll be a wonderful experience for all people involved.”

Schedule of events

Monday, Oct. 7: Informal community outreach, 7 p.m., Lodi United Methodist Church, 320 Medina St., Lodi.

Tuesday, Oct. 8: Preschool outreach, 11 a.m.-noon, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick.

Afterschool teen program, 3-4 p.m., Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina.

Evening program for the community, 7-8:30 p.m., Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Medina.

Thursday, Oct. 10; Evening concert with Baladino, 7-9 p.m., Puffenberger Hall at Northwest High School, 8580 Erie Ave. NW, Canal Fulton. Tickets $10 advance, $12 door. 330-722-2541 or www.ormaco.org.

Friday, Oct. 11: Teen workshop, 3-4:30 p.m., Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., Medina.

Saturday, Oct. 12: Evening concert with Baladino, 8-10 p.m., Highland High School Auditorium, 3880 Ridge Road, Medina. Tickets: $10 advance, $12 door. 330-722-2541 or www.ormaco.org.