The Lima-based group, founded 35 years ago by musician-choreographer Ronaldo Campos de la Colina, helped spark the revival of Peru’s rich black cultural traditions that have recently come to the attention of international audiences. The acclaimed 20-member troupe, still led by the Campos dynasty, features two generations of world-class dancers and percussionists.

            Peru Negro will be touring the U.S. in conjunction with the release of its new CD, Jolgorio, on Times Square records. The concert is part of Africa in the Americas, the World Music Institute series that celebrates the contributions of African culture to the Americas.

            Peru Negro created the musical sound which would come to define the Afro-Peruvian music during the 1970s-1990s. The group became a national treasure in Peru in 1969 after winning first place at the Hispanoamerican Festival of Song and Dance in Buenos Aires, Noted for its powerful percussive arrangements featuring several cajones simultaneously performing challenging rhythms, it also established a regular role for Latin percussion instruments such as the bongo, congas, and cowbell.

When: Saturday, February 21, 2004 8:00 PM

Where: Town Hall, 123 West 43^rd Street NYC