New arts business BALORICO brings AfroPeruvian Percussion & Dance Workshop to Seattle

New arts business BALORICO, in partnership with the African Conexion Project, celebrates Peruvian Fiestas Patrias with the first 2009 AfroPeruvian Percussion and Dance Workshop July 18-23rd at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center 104 17th Avenue South, Seattle WA 98144. Visit www.seattleafroperuano.blogspot.com or call 206 992 5254 to register. Saturday and Sunday 12noon-5:30pm and Monday thru Thursday 4pm-10pm. Daily beginner-advanced sessions will be instructed by guest artists Juan Carlos "Juanchi" Vasquez and Lucy Valiente of Ballet AfroPeruano. Two-day intensives range from $50-$60, drop in cajon classes are $15, beginner dance classes are $10. All ages welcome.

AfroColumbian, AfroChilean, AfroHonduran...AfroPeruvian. Who knew there are "Blacks" in these countries?! If you relate to this statement, you are not alone. Only a fraction of Washingtonians know what AfroPeruvian means. New arts business, BALORICO ballroom folklore arte contemporanea, aims to expose of Latin America's musical treasures, the Peruvian Cajon. Worldwide this percussion instrument, a wooden box, is used in Flamenco, jazz and most other AfroLatin idioms, however, Peru's history proves to be the cajon's birthplace. "

Just like Peru has an "official history" that practically excludes AfroPeruvians from Peruvian history, there also exists a perspective that does not acknowledge AfroPeruvian achievements and contributions. The AfroPeruvian contribution could not be more clear, blunt and indisputable in the case of the cajon." Rafael Santa Cruz states this on his www.cajonperuano.org website and stands true next to Juan Carlos " Juanchi" Vasquez's life work for the past 50 years. Regarding AfroPeru's cultural comeback, Juanchi attests in the book Black Peru that "not everything had to be reinterpreted. The festejo for example is something that never stopped being practiced...The alcatraz always existed. Its just that it wasn't practiced very publicly."

The 2009 AfroPeruvian Percussion and Dance Workshop brings to Seattle a legendary musical figure, "Juanchi" Vasquez and dancer-choreographer Lucy Valiente who will provide first-hand insight into the evolution and resurrection of an undying musical genre represented by AfroPeruvian rhythms, such as that of the "festejo," "alcatraz," "marinera," and the "zamacueca." Workshops are open to all ages and BALORICO will have cajones on hand to be played, however other percussion instruments are welcome. Two-day intensives: Saturday July 18th and Sunday July 19th from 12noon-5:30pm and July 20th Monday to July 23rd Thursday from 4pm-10pm. The first hour is always a beginner cajon class and daily participants will have 2-3 hour long classes in designated music and dance styles. Instructor Vanessa Villalobos will also be hosting promotional FREE classes for the community to jumpstart the coming workshop. FREE to all ages: July 9th at 6pm and July 11th at 2:30pm located at Freehold Theater 2222 2nd Avenue. Sunday July 12th at 2:30pm take a free class at La Casa del Mojito 4205 University Way NE.

Visit www.seattleafroperuano.blogspot.com or call BALORICO at 206 992 5254 for more information. At the 2009 AfroPeruvian Percussion and Dance workshop, held at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, participants will gain more than musical training, but rather a historic account of how "Black Rhythms of Peru" have survived and played a vital role in shaping Peruvian identity worldwide.

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Media Contact:
BALORICO ballroom folklore arte contemporanea
Phone: 917-304-1269
5656 35th Ave SW, suite C
Seattle, WA 98126
balorico@gmail.com

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About BALORICO LLC
BALORICO LLC is a new arts business directed by Vanessa Villalobos dedicated to exposing the roots of Latin American dance and developing audiences nationally and internationally for live touring theatrical works. The company is based in Seattle, WA, and looks forward to upcoming international projects.