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EAST LIVERPOOL - Chicago based Mexican folk ensemble Sones de Mexico will be performing at Westgate Middle School Tuesday. The performance is a part of the International Music and Performing Arts in Communities Tour (IMPACT) provided by the Ohio Arts Council.

Ohio Arts Council Public Information Office Director Jami Goldstein said East Liverpool was chosen as one of four touring cities because of feedback the OAC received during a previous listening tour in the area. The listening tour went to seven communities around the state. "We ask questions that try to get to the heart about arts and creativity. It's not about us, but about the community. We had a really good time and were encouraged to come back," Goldstein said.

The OAC has been doing IMPACT performances since 1998 throughout various areas of the state. "Our goal is to reach to communities that we don't visit very often, or have never had a chance to experience a particular type of culture," she said.

Calcutta Elementary Art Teacher Elayne Lowe believes these types of performances are important for area students. "Our area has a very small percentage of various ethnic groups compared to others, so it is good for them to be exposed to different cultures," she said.

Grammy nominated Sones de Mexico represented the U.S. at the 2008 World Folk Song Festival in Beijing. "These are people that are famous. How many times are you going to be able to attend a free concert with grammy nominees?" Lowe said.

Sones de Mexico specializes in a style of music called son, which refers to a large family of regional music and dance styles. According to information provided the Ohio Arts Council, every region in Mexico has its own brand of son, each with its own repertoire, instruments, dancing and singing style.

Goldstein said every group chosen by the OAC for IMPACT is based out of the United States. "We have used groups from the U.S. but that represent a different culture because these issues have been rather challenging," she said.

Southeast Regional Program Coordinator Kathy Cain attends a national performing arts showcase each year to choose groups for IMPACT. "Our goal with IMPACT is to have an international focus. The more awareness and exposure we can bring to Ohio citizens around the world; the more we interact, the more we understand each other," Goldstein said.

IMPACT is made possible through funding from the Performance Arts Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and additional contributions from General Mills Foundation and Land O'Lakes Foundation.

Other cities on the performance schedule include Ironton, Wilmington and Bryan. Sones de Mexico will be at Westgate Middle School Tuesday, Oct. 27. The free public performance is suitable for all ages and will begin at 7 p.m. For more information visit the Ohio Arts Council Web site at www.oac.state.oh.us or call 614-728-4427.