The Tryon Concert Association will bring the first of two TGIF concerts to the Tryon Fine Arts Center on Friday evening, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.

For this weekend opener, composer and educator Jason De Cristofaro will perform on the marimba and vibraphone accompanied by his ensemble of flute and piano.

Winner of the 2011 Terry Gibbs Scholarship offered by Yamaha/Percussive Arts Society, Mr. DeCristofaro has performed at numerous jazz festivals, conferences and universities throughout the Southeast. He holds a master of music performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as a master of liberal arts and sciences from UNC Asheville. He is currently working towards his doctorate in music education at Boston University.

This one-hour performance, which is separate from the TCA regular season series, is intended to start your Friday evening in a relaxed, joyous manner. A wine and beer bar will precede the concert starting at 5:30 in the TFAC lobby. The performance from 6-7 p.m. will leave time for you to enjoy your favorite restaurant or other activities of the evening.

TGIF tickets are sold separately from the full season series and can be purchased online or at the box office at TFAC. Visit tryonconcerts.org for information.

– article submitted by Joella Utley