University Presents "Primavera Mexicana" Concert Thurs., April 29

A spectacular evening of traditional music and dance will be presented at Texas A&M International University for the "Primavera Mexicana" concert on Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the University's Kinesiology/Convocation Building.

The concert is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. Featured performers will be the Texas A&M International University Ballet Folklorico, the Ballet Folklorico Infantil de A&M International, and the A&M International Band.

Event organizer Gabriela Mendoza, director of A&M International's Ballet Folklorico groups and associate director of the University's Office of Student Development, said the concert will showcase the year-long efforts of the University's music and dance students.

"The University's Ballet Folklorico will perform traditional dances from four regions of Mexico, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Jalisco, and Nayarit This concert will mark the debut of the Nayarit dances, which have been choreographed to authentic detail. The costumes have also been authentically reproduced, and traditional music was located after a painstaking search," explained Mendoza.

The Ballet Folklorico dancers, all students at A&M International, include natives of Africa, Brazil, India, Mexico, and the US.

The Ballet Folklorico Infantil de A&M International, a group of 5- to 13-year-olds enrolled in a children's ballet folklorico class offered through the University, will perform dances from Chiapas and Tamualipas.

Both the Ballet Folklorico and the Ballet Folklorico Infantil are directed by Mendoza, who was a professional dancer prior to joining the University.

The 45-member University Band will perform "Granada," "Holiday for Winds," and selections by John Philips Souza. The University Band is directed by Elmo Lopez Sr.

For more information on A&M International's "Primavera Mexicana" concert April 29, please call Mendoza at 326-2280. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu