'Cri-Cri' Concerts Set at TAMIU Tomorrow

The magical creation of musical legend Francisco Gabilondo Soler will take children and adults alike to the dazzling world of "Cri-Cri: El Grillito Cantor" (Cri Cri: The Singing Cricket) in a presentation scheduled Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. in Texas A&M International University's Kinesiology/Convocation Building (Gym).

The event is made possible by support provided by TAMIU, the City of Laredo, County of Webb and the Texas Commission for the Arts. Additional support has been provided by the Laredo Women's City Club and the D. D. Hachar Foundation.

Performers include all students currently enrolled in the dance program. The concert features costumed characters who come to life in a variety of dances including "El gato del barrio" (The Barrio Cat), "El chivo ciclista" (The Cycling Goat), "Caminito a la escuela" (The Little Walk to School), "Los ratones bomberos" (The Firefighter Mice), "La rusiana" (The Russian Bear),and "El ratón vaquero" (The Cowboy Mouse).

The event, under the artistic direction of assistant professor of dance Bede Leyendecker, is free and open to the public. The program has been designed to incorporate various types of dance including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and Spanish dance into the realization of "Cri-Cri's" characters.

In addition, two separate 'children's only' presentations will be held for more than 3,000 local school children on the same date at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building.

A special performance, to benefit Hecho en Encinal, is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 in the county park in Encinal. Hecho en Encinal is a non-profit arts and cultural organization and this event will be part of the Spring Garden Party to raise funds for the program. Other children's activities at the Party include face painting, spin art and a showing of a video created by Encinal kids. In addition, there will be a silent auction, featuring local artists.

"Cri-Cri," originally created by the Mexican-born Soler as a radio educational show teaching children positive values, reached its fame in Mexico and Latin America in the 1940s and has continued to be a popular icon since. "Cri-Cri's" story starts with Pancho and Teté, two children who must spend the weekend at their grandmother's house. At first, they are not convinced they will have a good time at their grandmother's, but are intrigued by her attic, full of forgotten objects like dolls, old jars, furniture and an old radio. Soon, they meet Cri-Cri, a cricket who guides them through a world of adventures, mischief and unique places.

Another highlight of the event will be the presentation of the 2004 Blanche Flores Leyendecker Scholarship and the 2004 Terpsichorean Award. For further information, please contact Leyendecker at 326-2625. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.