As the opening date draws closer for the inaugural Westobou Festival, organizers are beginning to confirm acts, attractions and exhibitions for the 10-day arts festival to be held Sept. 18-27.

In addition to the previously announced Cirque du Symphony performance, presented by the Augusta Symphony, and the Augusta Opera's production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street , the Westobou program committee has confirmed performances by the Augusta Ballet, Augusta State University, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum, Le Chat Noir, the Sacred Heart Cultural Center and the Magnolia Dance Theatre, among others.

"It's like a big puzzle," said Cameron Nixon, the head of the Westobou program committee. "You have to slide one part to get another into place."

Among the events confirmed are Slow Dancing , an exhibition where extreme slow-motion films of dancers will be projected onto large screens.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Augusta Ballet, has been staged at Lincoln Center in New York City and the Music Center of Los Angeles.

Augusta State University will be putting on a variety of events, including a music program featuring Augusta native Wycliffe Gordon and the ASU Jazz All-Stars and a performance by the Silk Road Ensemble, an innovative ensemble dedicating to finding the relationships shared by traditional Eastern and Western music. The ensemble was founded by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum will use Westobou as a platform to launch its exhibition dedicated to the life, work and influence of James Brown. The exhibition will be titled A Breath, a Beat and a HEY!! (James Brown -- An American Story).

Le Chat Noir plans to open The Great American Trailer Park Musical on the festival's opening weekend, and the Sacred Heart Cultural Center will present a screening of the silent movie classic Pandora's Box .

The Magnolia Dance Theatre is presenting a performance by the acclaimed Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company. The New York City-based dance company was formed by two former Alvin Ailey dancers with the mission of promoting multiculturalism through dance in mind.

Other events planned include An Evening with Mark Twain , presented by the Augusta Historical Society; exhibitions and demonstrations by the Clay Potters of the Southeast; and Ego Tripping with Nikki Giovanni , a poetry event at Paine College.

Annual Augusta events being incorporated into the Westobou festival include the Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival, the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art's A Sense of Place juried exhibition and the Whiskey Painters of America annual exhibition.

"What has been a big part, a big piece and a big help is the local arts community," Mr. Nixon said.

"It really is rounding out beautifully. It's validating the vision of the Porter Fleming Foundation that this event will be embraced by the people of Augusta. The key, I think, is that people do see what this can do for Augusta," he said.

Mr. Nixon said the Westobou slate is far from full. He said events are still being added, including a yet-to-be-announced concert to conclude the festival.

"It's a moving target," he said with a laugh. "And we're always looking to add to it."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.