The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its founding during 2013. The first St. Louis appearance in ten years of the world-renowned Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company on February 28 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL campus, is the first of several high-pro- file activities presented to raise community awareness of its Jubilee year. In addition, on June 9--in commemoration of the actual date of its founding as the George C. Krick Classic Guitar Guild in 1963--the Society will hold a gala Commemorative Dinner at the Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63102, with focus on the singular achievements of the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society. St. Louis guitarists and educators both past and present who have sustained and furthered the art of the classical guitar in St. Louis and beyond will be featured as special guests. In addition, the Gala will also include a retrospective look at classical fretted instrument players hailing from St. Louis who were among the most important national figures of the guitar, mandolin, and banjo: William O. Bateman (1825-1883), William Foden (1860- 1947), and George C. Krick (1872-1962). Gala Sponsorships are being sought and the public is invited.

For further information call the St. Louis Guitar Society at (314)567-5566.