NYU Hosts 4th International Zen Flute Festival CONTACT: Sterner Editorial Services               Bob Sterner               Tel.: (201) 638-1966               E-mail: bsterner@prodigy.net FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Masters and students of the bamboo flute from around the world will descend upon New York University July 29 through Aug. 1 for the Fourth International Shakuhachi Festival. The flute produces a soulful sound, and it’s the only melodic instrument used in Zen meditation. Musicians are drawn to the event for its workshops and master classes with top professionals during the day. Evening concerts by master performers are open to the public, including: •        Thursday, July 29, 4-6 p.m., “Chirashi – Mixed Flavors of Shakuhachi.” Kimmel Center Eisner-Lubin Auditorium, 60 Washington Square South. Top flutists will present everything from traditional to contemporary pieces. Admission: $15. •        Friday, July 30, 8-9 p.m., “Shakuhachi and Other Instruments; 9-10:30 p.m., “Traditional Concert – Gaikyoku and Honkyoku.” Kimmel Center Eisner-Lubin Auditorium. The first concert is lighter fare that pairs the flute with electronics, harpsichord, tabla and koto, and includes improvised pieces. Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie will perform with his Shakuhachi Club ensemble. The second concert is traditional pieces. Master flutists Araki Kodo V and Kawase Junsuke will perform. Admission: $15 for both concerts. •        Saturday, July 31, 8-10 p.m., “A New Perspective: International Women Shakuhachi Masters.” Kimmel Center Eisner-Lubin Auditorium. Women mastering an instrument that was traditionally played only by Buddhist monks is a new development in shakuhachi. Several will perform their original compositions as well as traditional ones from Kinko and Tozan, the top two schools of playing. Admission: $15. •        Sunday, Aug. 1, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place. David Wheeler will emcee two concerts. The first, “Modern Concert,” from 6:30-8:30 p.m., pairs the ancient instrument with theramin, double bass, cello and violin, and features original pieces often performed by their composers. “Honkyoku Concert” from 8:30-10:30, features traditional works, and is a primer for different schools, including Kinko, Tozan, Meian, Betsuden and Garyuken styles. Japan’s Living National Treasure Aoki Reibo will perform. Admission: $20 for both concerts. The concert halls are part of New York University’s campus at Washington Square Park, one block east of the 6th Avenue / West 4th Street A, C, B, D, E, F and V subway station. Visit www.bigappleshak.com for information about the concerts and the festival workshops. New York-based shakuhachi grand master Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin is organizing the international event. He can be contacted at (212) 929-1037 or at nyogetsu@nyogetsu.com.                                                                                ###