Joel Fan releases new CD

(Photo submitted) Pianist Joel Fan will perform works from his new CD, West of the Sun, Friday, April 24, at Spencer's Old High School Auditorium.

On Tuesday, April 14, Joel Fan's new solo CD, West of the Sun, was released by Reference Records. The night before, Fan celebrated the release with a concert at Le Poisson Rouge, a New York City club that usually presents groups with names like Throbbing Gristle and Future Rock. While CD release parties are common among popular musicians, they are still a rarity with classical artists. This was Fan's first club appearance, and it paid off. On Tuesday morning, there was a glowing review in the New York Times.

Fan's promotional tour will bring him to Spencer on Friday, April 24, where he will perform works from that CD and from his first one, World Keys, some of which he also performed at Le Poisson Rouge. His Spencer concert will also include piano sonatas by Beethoven and Chopin. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m., at the Old High School Auditorium. It is a presentation of the Spencer Area Concert Association

Members of the Spencer, Sheldon, Windom and Algona concert associations may attend this concert by presenting their season tickets at the door. Individual tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students, and are available in advance at Arts on Grand or at the door on the evening of the performance.

As with other concerts this year, free transportation is available for Spencer members who need it thanks to the Regional Transit Authority (Rides) and Spencer Municipal Utilities. To arrange for transportation, phone 262-4307 by noon Thursday, April 23.

* For more information about the concert, phone Arts on Grand, 262-4307, or check the Concert Association's Web site, www.SpencerConcerts.com.