PERU NEGRO - 2008 U.S. TOUR

Peru Negro, the worldwide famous dance and music ensemble that preserves Peru's black heritage has begun its 2008 US-Canada tour around 45 cities, from January 22 to March 30. This tour also includes the release of a new CD titled "Zamba Malató" (Times Square Records.)

Photo via http://perunegro.org/

Peru Negro will perform in the DC area at George Mason University (Center for the Arts) on Saturday February 2, at 8 pm. and they will host a open discussion at 7:15 pm. to talk about their work.

You can purchase tickets here:

http://www.gmu.edu/cfa/calendar/eventlisting.php?id=605

How to get to GMU Center for the Arts:

http://www.gmu.edu/cfa/directions/

BLACK PERUVIANS

Many people show surprise when they hear about the presence of Afro descendant people in Peru, a country that is mostly known by our Native heritage. It is said that the first black person to arrive to what is today Peru, was a man who accompanied 13 other Hispanic adventurers led by infamous Francisco Pizarro in 1531. Ever since, African slaves were forced to come to Peru to work first in mining in the Andes mountains and later in farm fields in the coastal haciendas. Peru was the first country in the Americas to freed slaves (Ramon Castilla, 1854) but racial discrimination never ended.

Unfortunately black Peruvians lack of visibility and representation in today's Peruvian society. For instance, Afro Peruvian culture is sometimes called Criolla or Negroide in order to ignore or deny the African influence on our cultures. Afro descendants in Peru have added a strong influence in the culture of the Andean coastal region including our traditions, music, dance, food, accents, ways of living, sports and religious beliefs. Peru wouldn't be what is today without those contributions.

That is why Peru Negro is so important, because they have rescued traditions that were almost lost in time and since 1969, they have preserved the music and dance of our African ancestors. Peru Negro has a school in Lima where young Peruvians are being thought about it. This 30-member troupe of dancers, choreographers and musicians present an incredible and vibrant show full of high-energy and great rhythms and dances; a truly amazing show that has received great reviews from LA Times, Boston Globe and the NY Times. I highly recommend everyone to attend this show, and I can't wait to see them again, since their last presentation in DC over 2 years ago.

VIDEO PERU NEGRO

http://perunegro.org/

DATES AND LOCATIONS


1.22.08 8PM - Roy Thompson Hall.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1.24.08 8PM - Community Theater at the Mayo Center.
Morristown, NJ

1.25.08 8PM - Proctor's Theater.
Schenectady, NY

1.26.08 8PM - New York City Center, World Music Institute.
New York, NY

1.27.08 3PM - Purchase College Concert Hall.
Purchase, NY

1.28.08 10AM - Purchase College Concert Hall.
Purchase, NY

1.29.08 8PM - Chandler Music Hall.
Randolph, VT

1.30.08 2PM - Yale University Theater.
New Haven, CT

1.30.08 8PM - Yale University Theater.
New Haven, CT

1.31.08 TBA - Yale University Theater.
New Haven, CT

2.01.08 1PM - Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center.
Philadelphia, PA

2.02.08 8PM - George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall.
Fairfax, VA

2.05.08 10AM - Bardavon 1869 Opera House.
Poughkeepsie, NY

2.05.08 12PM - Bardavon 1869 Opera House.
Poughkeepsie, NY

2.06.08 10AM - Ulster Performing Arts Center.
Kingston, NY

2.07.08 8PM - Fitchburg State College, Weston Auditorium.
Fitchburg, MA

2.08.08 8PM - Monmouth University, Pollack Auditorium.
W. Long Branch, NJ

2.09.08 8PM - The American Theater.
Hampton, VA

2.10.08 3PM - The American Theater.
Hampton, VA

2.14.08 730PM - Brevard College, Porter Center.
Brevard, NC

2.15.08 11AM - Brevard College, Porter Center.
Brevard, NC

2.15.08 8PM - Brevard College, Porter Center.
Brevard, NC

2.16.08 8PM - Georgia State University, Rialto Center for the Performing Arts.
Atlanta, GA

2.17.08 3PM - Newberry Opera House.
Newberry, SC

2.20.08 10AM - Sunrise Theater.
Fort Pierce, FL

2.20.08 7PM - Sunrise Theater.
Fort Pierce, FL

2.21.08 TBA - Adrienne Arsht Center (Carnival Center.)
Miami, FL

2.22.08 TBA - Adrienne Arsht Center (Carnival Center.)
Miami, FL

2.23.08 TBA - Adrienne Arsht Center (Carnival Center.)
Miami, FL

2.23.08 8PM - Adrienne Arsht Center (Carnival Center) Knight Concert Hall.
Miami, FL

2.27.08 8PM - Mississippi State University, Riley Center.
Meridian, MS

2.29.08 8PM - Rosa Hart Theater, Lake Charles Civic Center.
Lake Charles, LA

3.04.08 730PM - University of Colorado, Macky Auditorium.
Boulder, CO

3.05.08 7PM - Fort Lewis College, Community Concert Hall.
Durango, CO

3.06.08 730PM - NHCC, Albuquerque Journal Theatre.
Albuquerque, NM

3.07.08 8PM - Lensic Theater.
Santa Fe, NM

3.11.08 9:30AM - McCallum Theater for the Performing Arts.
Palm Desert,CA

3.11.08 11AM - McCallum Theater for the Performing Arts.
Palm Desert,CA

3.12.08 10AM - University of California.
Santa Barbara,CA

3.12.08 1:30PM - University of California.
Santa Barbara, CA

3.12.08 8PM - University of California, Campbell Hall.
Santa Barbara, CA

3.14.08 730PM - Turlock Community Theater.
Turlock, CA

3.15.08 8PM - UCLA, Royce Hall Center for the Arts.
Los Angeles, CA

3.16.08 3PM - Harman Hall, Cohen Performing Arts Center.
San Luis Obispo, CA

3.18.08 TBA - Ross Ragland Theater & Cultural Center.
Klamath Falls, OR

3.18.08 730PM - Ross Ragland Theater & Cultural Center.
Klamath Falls, OR

3.19.08 8PM - UC Davis, Jackson Hall at Mondavi Center.
Davis, CA

3.20.08 8PM - UC Berkeley, Zellerbach Hall.
Berkeley, CA

3.22.08 8PM - Hult Center, Silva Concert Hall.
Eugene, OR

3.25.08 TBA - Laxson Auditorium.
Chico, CA

3.25.08 730PM - Laxson Auditorium.
Chico, CA

3.27.08 8PM - Newport Performing Arts Center.
Newport, OR

3.28.08 730PM - Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
Olympia, WA

3.29.08 730PM - Edmonds Center for the Performing Arts
Edmonds, WA

3.30.03 3PM - Washington State University, Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.
Pullman, WA

3.31.08 10AM - Washington State University, Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.
Pullman, WA