Ustatshakirt Plus

After the demise of the Soviet Union, Western pop culture began to infiltrate the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia. As a result, bands that played traditional music began to disappear. Nurlanbek Nyshanov, the leader of Ustatshakirt Plus, has tried to keep Kyrgyz mountain music alive with his group. The ensemble features traditional instruments such as the choor (wood flute), the kyl kiyak (bowed, two-string instrument), and the jaw harp. The group performs today at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets are $33 to $45, $30 to $40 for CMA members. (Niesel)