, Colo. – Perú Negro, the sizzling 20-piece ensemble featuring the rhythms of Black Peru, comes to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Wednesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

The intersection of African rhythms and Latin song has a special resonance for American audiences, and is behind the success of Perú Negro. Launched by Ronaldo Campos de Colina more than 35 years ago to preserve Peru’s African heritage, Perú Negro’s high energy show features festive and celebratory dances interwoven with vibrant live music.

The dances are a cross-section of African-descended styles that had all but disappeared from Peruvian culture by the 1950s. They include the celebratory festejo, the sensual landó, the slave protest songs called panalivios (banned by the Catholic Church in the 18^th Century) and the tap-dancing zapateos.

African diaspora instruments featured include the djembe (a single headed goblet drum from West Africa), the batá from Cuba and the centerpiece of the rhythm, the cajón, or crate drum. The latter traces its birth to Peru’s slave quarters where traditional drums were banned by slave owners and the Spanish inquisition, but now have become a staple of most Latin jazz and flamenco groups.

“Audiences whose prior exposure to Peruvian music began and ended with ‘El Condor Pasa’ will be blown away by this show,” said Gary Penington, concert hall managing director. “Perú Negro has ignited a craze for Afro-Peruvian sounds in their home country that is just now hitting the states.”

The show will feature new offerings from the group’s recently released CD “Zamba Malató” (which references an old chant sung by black women as they performed their daily chores). It is the long-awaited follow-up to 2004’s “Jolgorio,” which garnered Perú Negro a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional World Music Album, as well as a Latin Grammy Award nomination.

Known as the “Cultural Ambassadors of Black Peru” by the government, the members of Perú Negro operate a school in Lima, Peru, developing the next generation who perform in a junior troupe called Perú Negrito (Little Black Peru). View clips of Perú Negro’s performances at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEq1BEEwO4Y&feature=related.

Tickets for Perú Negro - $20 for Orchestra and Balcony, $25 for Plaza – are available on line at www.durangoconcerts.com, by calling 970.247.7657, or in person at the Ticketing Offices in Durango at 7^th and Main Ave., and Bayfield, inside Bayfield Music. All sales are final.

Doors to the Spotlight Lounge offering beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, open at 6:00 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show.

The Community Concert Hall is located in the growing arts complex of Fort Lewis College.  It operates through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, as well as the city of Durango, and with financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.

# # #