Les Yeux Noir January 22, 2009

Voted the all-time favorite band of CityMusic audiences, Les Yeux Noirs returns to the CityMusic stage to perform at 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 22 at the Fawcett Center Auditorium, 2400 Olentangy River Road. The concert is the only Ohio appearance by the Paris, France based band during a one week tour of the United States. It is part of CityMusic’s World Music Series and 25th Anniversary Season.

Les Yeux Noirs, French for "The Black Eyes,” takes its name from the title of a Russian
gypsy tune made famous by Django Reinhardt in the '30s. It's the perfect name for a French sextet that melds Gypsy, Klezmer and Yiddish music, with a nod to Manouche (or French Gypsy) jazz.

Les Yeux Noirs has shared the magic and emotion of Klezmer and Gypsy music with audiences around the world for over 12 years. The group was founded by two brothers, Eric and Olivier Slabiak, who both play violin. Performing soulful tunes from Romania, Hungary, Russian and Armenia, Les Yeux Noirs’ music abounds with rhythm and spontaneity. The band’s music is rooted in traditional melodies that have moved people to sing and dance for centuries. With each energetic stroke of their bows Les Yeux Noirs take the listener further into a dizzying vortex of Central European sounds and images. The band plays music that “goes right to your soul” (Figaro Madame).

The concert is presented in partnership with the Melton Center for Jewish Studies, with additional funding from the Columbus Jewish Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Arts Midwest, The National Endowment for the Arts and The Columbus Foundation. Promotional support is provided by WCBE-FM.

Tickets for this event are $22.00 adults, $17.00 seniors, and $10.00 students. There will be a $3 surcharge per ticket for day of show purchases. For tickets call CityMusic at (614) 433-9963 or go to www.CityMusicColumbus.org. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, CAPA and at the following outlets: Better Earth in the North Market, Accent on Nature in Grandview, Colonial Music in Worthington and The Cookware Sorcerer in the Short North.