P R E S S

For Release Wed., Oct 13, 2004, 11AM

New York City Welcomes Young Russian Hero of Beslan School Massacre

New York, NY—Oct 13 –Curtis Sliwa, Guardian Angels leader will present an honorary membership into his elite organization to a young Russian student hero who helped rescue his friends during the recent school terrorist siege in Beslan, Russia. That Sept 1st tragedy took place when 32 terrorists stormed a school and took some 1,200 adults and children captive in a 48-hour siege that ended with the deaths of 335 hostages, about half of them children.

A Press Conference will take place before the iconic Lincoln Center Fountain at 11AM.

The 16-year old student-hero who helped rescue other students and adults will be traveling to New York City with the permission of the Russian officials. He is coming here expressly to attend tomorrow’s Russian Splendor Concert (www.russianconcert.com), at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Proceeds from this concert, which feature some of Russia’s most beloved musicians, will be donated to families and victims of this tragedy. Russian Splendor is being produced by Outta-Sites/Big Fish Productions, Bay Shore, NY; talent provided by the Russian American Arts Foundation, New York.

Soslan Ehrikovich Gusiev is perhaps Beslan’s most remarkable and inspirational new hero. Rather than escape the flying bullets and bombs, he selflessly stayed behind to help rescue others and carry out the younger wounded children. When his courageous acts became known to government officials, they agreed that he should come to New York to attend the concert and be received by New York City officials. Soslan will also take home a check representing a portion of the proceeds from this concert as a donation to the people of Beslan.

Budd Mishkin, Master of Ceremonies of the Oct 14th Russian Splendor Concert and popular NY 1 reporter, said: “We realize that no amount of money can ever replace the loss the people of Beslan have suffered. But to help them, we can think of no better way then by offering financial support through a portion of the Russian Splendor concert’s proceeds.” At the concert, this money will be presented to Soslan by Marjorie Bloomberg Tiven, New York City Commission for the United Nations.

Russian Splendor is a classical music concert celebrating Russian heritage and culture. It features leading Russian musicians including award-winning Russian vocalist, Svetlana Portnyansky; the classically trained pianist and composer, Alexander Peskanov the Brighton Ballet; and the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble. A concert highlight is a performance by Maxim Beloserkovsky and Irina Dvorovenko, two stars of the American Ballet Theatre who now live and work in the US.

Russian Splendor takes place on Oct. 14, 2004, 8 p.m. at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. Tickets are available through Lincoln Center Charge by calling 212-721-6500, or through the Lincoln Center Box office.

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For further information contact:
Bernard Furshpan: Outta-Sites Productions: 800-261-1636