By Sue Loughlin
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Over the next two years, Arts Illiana and Terre Haute will host some talented international musicians as part of the Arts Midwest World Fest.

Through World Fest, four international music ensembles will visit the community for intensive, week-long residencies. “Its purpose is to foster an understanding of and appreciation for global uniqueness and differences,” said Jon Robeson, Arts Illiana executive director.

Arts Illiana was selected by Arts Midwest as the only organization in Indiana to host the events until the year 2012.

The residencies will consist of school concerts, workshops, outreach activities and free public concerts.

World Fest begins the week of Oct. 26, when the five-member Israeli Ethnic Ensemble comes to Terre Haute. For some of the band members, it will be their first visit to the United States.

The visit will culminate at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 with a free, public performance at Ivy Tech Community College’s Oakley auditorium. A ticket is required and can be obtained by calling Arts Illiana at (812) 235-5007 or Ivy Tech at (812) 298-2482.

Terre Haute has strong ties throughout the world, Robson said. “World Fest is a natural fit and a great thing for our community.”

According to Robson, Terre Haute typically does not have the resources to host week-long residencies by international artists like the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble.

Arts Midwest, a regional (nine-state) arts organization based in Minneapolis, offsets much of the cost and handles the coordination of World Fest tours.

Other sponsors are Ivy Tech, Indiana State University, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

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