Ruvane placed 2nd in the entire competition! Read the official 200Columbus press release below… Winners Chosen in Bicentennial Celebrate Columbus in Song Contest (Columbus, Ohio)— 200Columbus, the organization leading the efforts for a citywide celebration of Columbus’ 200th birthday, announced the 13 finalists from the Celebrate Columbus In Song contest. The finalists were voted in by public vote from Feb. 14 through March 23. There were more than 4,600 voters casting nearly 10,000 votes to choose the top 13 artists from the 29 finalists. The winning entries, along with the Bicentennial Anthem composed by Milton Ruffin, the principal at Ft. Hayes High School, will be featured on a CD that will be released in June. The winners are: The Castros, Here In Columbus; Ceezar, In My Town; Elijah Aaron, The Buckeye City; Donna Mogavero, The Streets Where I Live; Enrique Infante, Colors of Columbus; HellNKeller, My City; Joey Hebdo, Columbus and Color T.V.; Mike and the Black Ties, Dear Columbus; Mike Wojniak, The Rhodes Tower; Miller-Kelton, Parsons Ave.; Ruvane Kurland, I’m Home; Truck-Stop Poets, 5 Below On High Street; and Willie Phoenix, Good Day Columbus. The 13 winners will each receive a cash prize of $500 and an opportunity for professional recording and production time at the WCBE-FM or Jazz Academy studios. Winners will also be connected with performance opportunities at Columbus events and festivals during 2012. To hear the winners songs go to: www.200Columbus.com/song. Last December a call went out seeking local musicians of all ages, genres and skill levels for original songs that best captured the spirit of Central Ohio. The Celebrate Columbus in Song contest received a total of 123 entries, representing more than 10 genres. These initial submissions were narrowed down to 29 finalists for the public voting round. Columbus Bicentennial 2012 is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to developing a robust and transformative commemoration of the city’s bicentennial in 2012 that is a catalyst for greater economic prosperity. The initiative is referred to as 200Columbus the Bicentennial. The goal for 200Columbus is a community that is more inspired, proud and engaged in their progress and the increasing vitality of Columbus. This will lead to a community that is better recognized locally and globally as one of the best places to live and work. ###
