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Posted: 4/19/00

A&M International Presents Free "Primavera Mexicana" Concert

 

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Laredo's official "Dia de los Niños" celebration will come to a rousing conclusion with a free dance concert at Texas A&M International University Sunday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in the University's Kinesiology/Convocation Building.

The free concert, titled "Una Primavera Mexicana," is under the direction of Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia, director of the University's Ballet Folklorico and Ballet Folklorico Juvenil and Associate Director of Sudent Development at A&M International.

Mendoza-Garcia said that although the University has presented the Primavera concert annually since 1996, this is the first year it has been presented as part of the city's official Dia de los Niños celebration.

"We are honored to be part of the celebration and we are proud to host an event that will provide a fun, wholesome evening of unparalleled entertainment," she noted.

The Primavera concert will showcase some of the area's finest dancers, musicians, and vocalists. Performers for the event are the University Band, A&M International's Ballet Folklorico, the Ballet Folklorico Juvenil de A&M Internacional, and the University's Mariachi Internacional.

The University Band, directed by veteran musician Elmo Lopez, will play a selection of musical favorites as a prelude to the concert and the Mariachi International, also directed by Lopez, will perform traditional songs of old Mexico.

Traditional dances from Veracruz, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa, Mexico will be performed by the Ballet Folklorico, a performance group comprised entirely of A&M International students.

The Ballet Folklorico Juvenil, a group of 5 - 16 year-olds enrolled in the University's children's dance class, will perform dances from Chiapas, Veracruz, and Jalisco.

A free reception will be held after the concert. Refreshments will be served and children will also receive free toy prizes will supplies last.

In addition to the Primavera concert, the Dia de los Niños celebration will feature a kickoff celebration at the Laredo Public Library at 1 p.m. and simultaneous venues from 1 - 4 p.m. at Father McNaboe Park, the Laredo Public Library, Russell Terrace Housing Project, Laredo Recreation Center-McPherson, Santa Fe Park, and Los Obispos Middle School. Free refreshments, candy, and prizes for the kids will be available while supplies last. More information on Dia de los Niños events may be obtained by calling Buena Salud at 722-5174, extension 110 or 116.

For more information on the University's Primavera Mexicana concert, please contact Mendoza-Garcia 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