Perú Negro Will
Heat Up Chandler

The colorful costumes and energetic dancing of Peru Negro will come to Chandler Music Hall in Randolph January 29 at 7 p.m.

Heat up a cold winter night with Afro-Peruvian music and dance performed by members of Perú Negro Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph.

Perú Negro has thrilled audiences worldwide with their colorful costumes, traditional instruments and vibrant interpretations of Afro-Peruvian music and dance.

Afro-Peruvian songs and dances had been almost forgotten when in the 1950s, a group of Peruvian artists and scholars began a successful effort to recover the traditions of the country’s slaves who had been brought from many regions in Africa, making cultural continuity virtually impossible. They rescued a rich music that is quite distinct from its Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian cousins.

Perú Negro was formed by Ronaldo Campos de la Colina, as a way of preserving Peru’s African heritage. During the time of the international black pride movements, this ensemble became the national standard other bands emulated.

For most music fans in the U.S., Peruvian music means Andean panpipes. While the African presence in Brazilian and Cuban music is recognized, Peru's African legacy has only recently gained major attention here.

Black Peruvian music developed its distinctive sound when a ban on drums and marimbas was placed on slaves by Spanish colonizers. Ingenuity led these people to use what was at hand to create innovative instruments.

Crates used to collect fruit on farms were used to create the cajón, a wooden box straddled by its player who bends down to beat the box by hand. The cajita is a small lidded box in the shape of a trapezoid used to collect offerings in Catholic churches. One hand claps the lid open and closed while the other beats the side of the box with a stick. There is no mistaking the sound of the quijada de burro or donkey jaw. The side of this dried-out jawbone is beaten with the player's palm, which resonates the tuning fork shape causing all the loosened teeth to vibrate. Melodic guitar and passionate singing are added to this percussive backbone to form the heart of Black Peruvian music.

Initially Perú Negro was comprised of 12 family members, dancers, choreographers and musicians. Now more than 30 people are involved and Perú Negro has become a proud institute of Peruvian culture. In Lima, the company runs their own school and junior troupe, Perú Negrito, a training ground for new members. Perú Negro has performed all over the world and has been officially appointed as "Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture" by the government.

For tickets and information about special student offers, call 728-6464. The performance is presented by The Chandler Center for the Arts with sponsorship support from The Three Stallion Inn, Sytsma Design Group and The Point. Chandler Music Hall is wheelchair accessible.

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