QUARTZ MOUNTAIN — Take advantage of the long summer evenings by attending the free, public performances at the Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center during the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI). Award-winning artists and Oklahoma's most talented high school students will present a variety of artistic performances from June 14 through 29.

"Audiences are often amazed at the professionalism of the student performances," said Julie Cohen, Oklahoma Arts Institute president. "An the faculty performances allow Oklahomans to see the nation's top artists without having to travel to New York or Los Angeles."

One such event is a dance and music faculty showcase on Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m. in the Robert M. Kerr Performing Arts Center at Quartz Mountain. The showcase features a world music performance by Valerie Naranjo of New York City. Naranjo wrote the percussion music for Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical "The Lion King," and she has performed with NBC's "Saturday Night Live" Band for over 11 years. The evening also includes a ballroom dance performance by David Hyer and Shelby Rothell, award-winning dancers from Oklahoma City.

The ONSTAGE Weekend student performances represent the culmination of the Summer Institute, an intensive two-week arts academy. OSAI students are selected for the program through competitive, statewide auditions an represent Oklahoma's most talented and disciplined high school students. A variety of performances, including orchestra and chorus concerts, dance and theater performances, film screenings, and creative writing, painting, and photography showcases occur Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, 2008.

All OSAI student and faculty performances are free and open to the public. Some performances may not be suitable for children under the age of 14. A performance schedule is available at www.oaiquartz.org <http://www.oaiquartz.org/> or at (405) 321-9000.