Columbus Arts Community Springs To Life with AGORA 2008

press release via ColumbusUnderground.com
The Couchfire Collective has announced Agora 2008 will take place on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, 2008. Agora is the brilliant showcase of Central Ohio’s art, music and community - bringing artists and art patrons together to celebrate Columbus’ diverse and talented creative community.

Agora guests have the opportunity to view and purchase hundreds of works of art, wander through over fifty working artists’ studios, experience performance acts and enjoy a variety of musical guests.

An exclusive preview event featuring art, a silent auction, musical acts and live performances will be held on the evening of Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. The evening will feature special guest Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, member of Columbus City Council and strong supporter of the arts in Columbus. Maryellen will be presenting awards to artists during the Preview Party. Food from local restaurants and drinks are provided.

There is a suggested entrance fee of $3 for the main event on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Doors open at 3 PM. Additional information can be found on the website.

Agora 2008 is being hosted and orchestrated by the Couchfire Collective, an innovative group of individual artists committed to furthering civic development by increasing awareness of the artistic community. The event will be co-hosted by Junctionview Studios, a multi-function warehouse where more than 50 artists and performers work, display and perform. Agora is located at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Avenue in Grandview Heights, Ohio.

Over 250 visiting artists, 50 artists with studios, numerous musical acts, video and performance artists have been selected and over 3,000 art patrons are expected to attend. Agora will also showcase a sampling of Columbus’s best local restaurants and eateries.

Preview night musicians will include acoustic guitar master John Morgan, experimental rock by Dayton band Paego Paego, electronic musician Count Funkula, and more. Main night musicians will include progressive rockers Six Gallery, indie folk band Russenorsk, Sinkane, Amanda Heironimus, and many more. Music runs from 3pm to midnight.

Performances by Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, HighJinks, Available Light Theatre, Queen Mae and the Bells, and many others will be scattered throughout both nights of the event.

Agora 2008 marks the first Agora and largest community arts event since Columbus, Ohio was self-proclaimed the “Independent Art Capital of The World.” The Columbus Independent Art Capital movement is fueled by and exists to support the exchange of ideas, attraction of speakers and art makers from around the world, and celebration of the rich arts culture tradition of Columbus. Agora 2008 will kick off the first summer of The Independent Art Capital of the World.