ALTERED STATES, Concert for Peace and more Set for Fulcrum Point New Music Project's 15th Anniversary Season

· Afro-Beats! Family Concert, a festive and interactive performance designed for the whole family, will be presented in a special encore engagement at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street, Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. As with its popular 2012 debut concert, Fulcrum Point will explore the rich rhythms, sounds and images of West Africa in this 75-minute multimedia performance, featuring works by Fela Kuti, Thelonious Monk, Pacquito d'Rivera, Steve Reich, and traditional music from Mandingo and African-American cultures. Children of all ages will be invited to participate in drumming circles, traditional African dances, and soulful songs in what is certain to be a spirited program! This concert is part of the Logan Center Family Series.

· A Music & Dance retrospective celebrating the multi-year collaboration with Thodos Dance Chicago, Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. This event will feature a selection of encore presentations of works by Melissa Thodos Dance in collaboration with Fulcrum Point, including the World Premiere of choreography to Steve Reich's Nagoya Marimbas.

· Plus, throughout the year, Fulcrum Point Discoveries presents new music by young and emerging American composers in a free public setting at the Merit Music School. This series gives underserved American composers the opportunity to hear their music interpreted by Chicago's best musicians and to explore their work in dialogue with a community of performers, listeners, and other composers. Fulcrum Point Discoveries programs are scheduled for May 18, June 24, July 22, August 12, and Dec. 16.

Ticket prices for each program vary by venue; a new Fulcrum Point Subscribers' Discount pass offers a pair of general admission tickets to any three ticketed events for only $100. Subscriptions are available only on the Fulcrum Point website, www.fulcrumpoint.org. To purchase single tickets or for more information on all 2013 concert programs, visit www.fulcrumpoint.org or call (312) 726-3846.

Since its formation by trumpet virtuoso and conductor Stephen Burns in 1998 under the auspices of Performing Arts Chicago, the mission of Fulcrum Point New Music Project has been to champion new classical music and highlight contemporary composers who are inspired and influenced by popular culture, including literature, film, dance, folk, rock, jazz, blues, Latin and world music. Through multi-disciplinary concert performances and educational programs, the 25-member Fulcrum Point ensemble seeks to encourage audiences to make cross-cultural connections between new music, art, technology and literature, gaining greater insight into today's diverse world. Burns, himself, has been acclaimed on four continents for his widely varied performances encompassing recitals, orchestral appearances, chamber ensemble engagements, and innovative multi-media presentations involving video, dance theatre and sculpture. For more information on Fulcrum Point and its programs visit www.fulcrumpoint.org.

Since 2007, Fulcrum Point New Music Project has proudly offered "Sound Tracks" and "Sound Tracks PLUS," in-school educational outreach programs serving students of the Chicago Public Schools that have little or no music education. "Sound Tracks" is designed to introduce 4th and 5th graders to global cultures through world music and new music, geography, arts and architecture. Each school receives six workshops composed of lectures, video presentations and live performances. Not just a music appreciation program, "Sound Tracks" also provides ideas and tools for the teachers to enhance their schools' existing social studies programs. "Sound Tracks PLUS" is an advanced, 100% participatory program for the 5th and 6th graders learning to make music using drums, keyboard percussion, traditional dance and song. The workshops culminate with a performance by the students with Fulcrum Point musicians.

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