The entire community will soon have the chance to be a part of the 2010-2011 Arts in Education programming at Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC). Learning experiences in American dance, music, literature and civil rights will be presented at TFAC with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, the Kirby Endowment and Aoki Landscape and Design. TFACs mission to enhance the quality of community life includes providing hands-on learning experiences in the performing arts.

Area dance students will work with the internationally known Taylor 2 dance company on the Veh Stage at TFAC (October 4). Local percussionist Lee Holroyd will accompany the students as one of the dancers teaches the Paul Taylor style that has so influenced modern dance for over 50 years.

Polk County High School students will be entertained as The Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans presents Tradition, Tragedy and Hope: A Brief Survey of Brass Band Music on Friday, November 19 in the PCHS auditorium. This will include stories and music from the New Orleans tradition exploring the root of the culture and its connections to West Africa as well as the history of New Orleans and Katrinas impact on the lives of her victims.

Opportunities to sing and act will be made available to engage and educate students in Polk County and South Carolina District One schools. Rehearsals are under way for The Mark Twain Show, TFACs second touring production. Two casts of high school actors from Polk County, Landrum and Inman will present this 45 minute one-act play with comedy and drama from one of Americas most beloved writers.

In partnership with The Friendship Council of Polk County, TFAC will present We Are the Dream: The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The cast of this show will include children, teens and adults from all over the foothills, working together to tell the story of Dr. Kings life and learning how his dream lives in their own hearts.

On the Veh Stage and on the stages throughout the foothills, Tryon Fine Arts Center seeks to encourage, enlighten and entertain students and adults in our area. There is a fee for the Taylor 2 master class. Other events are presented free to audiences; donations will be accepted at the door at the TFAC performances.

For more information, call 828-859-8322 or email info@tryonarts.org.