Eastern will host internationally renowned guitarist Robert Michaels for a concert at Dvorak Concert Hall.

Michaels, who was born in Arpino, Italy as Roberto Michele Buttarazzi, is an instrumental guitarist who specializes in Flamenco music.

Flamenco is a style of dance and music with an upbeat and energetic style, combining staccato instrumentals with Andalusian and Romani music.

Michaels has been described as “Flamenco’s version of Led Zeppelin axe-god Jimmy Page,” as well as a “dazzling guitarist.”

Michaels’ fourth album, titled “Allegro,” was released in 2003 and was awarded a Juno award for “best instrumental album.”

Dwight Vaught, director of Doudna Fine Arts Center, said the university chose to bring in Michaels for his unique style of music, which Vaught says is very different from other local acts.

Vaught said both he and another faculty member have seen Michaels perform, and described him as an “amazing artist and dynamic performer.”

“Flamenco is kind of an unknown style around here, which is one of the things we like to specialize in,” Vaught said. “We enjoy when we can introduce people to new styles of art and music.”

Michaels performs with a three-piece band which accompanies his eccentric guitar playing with stringed and percussion instruments.

Vaught said Michaels also performs with a Flamenco dancer as well, which the university saw as a great visual addition for the show.

“Because he has a Flamenco dancer on-stage, his show is even more entertaining,” Vaught said.

The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Dvorak Concert Hall and will $12.

Vaught said the admission fee also covers a cook out before the concert in Doudna’s courtyard.

While they have not yet decided what food to serve, Vaught said the cook out is a great addition to the concert.

“People love cook outs, especially when there’s music,” he said. “We started doing summer concerts awhile ago, and cook outs were a nice addition to the event.”

Vaught said the location of the cook out will depend on the weather, and said for the last concert, the July heat forced them to move the event indoors—“a ‘cook-in,’ if you will,” he said.

Vaught said he expects around 300 people to attend the event, and cited that while the last event had around 325, he would like to see around 400 attendees for Michaels’ concert.

“It’ll be a good, healthy number for a crowd, and we’ve got to feed them all,” he said.

“This event is a great deal, considering you get everything for one ticket price,” Vaught said. “Michaels is a fantastic musician, and you won’t find a better show for that inexpensive.”

John Downen can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].