Free ‘Cri-Cri’ Takes Civic Center

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of birth of the man who gave us “Cri-Cri: El Grillito Cantor” (Cri-Cri: The Singing Cricket), Francisco Gabilondo Soler, with a celebration of his music at the Texas A&M International University 2008 Spring Dance Concert Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Laredo Civic Center.

This event is free and open to the public and made possible by support provided by the TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences Department of Fine and Performing Arts, The City of Laredo, The County of Webb and the Laredo Women’s City Club.

A writer of hundreds of children’s songs, Soler was born on Oct. 6, 1907, in Orizaba, Veracruz, México.

“Throughout his life, he loved to learn new things every day. As a young man, Soler studied geography, mathematics, astronomy, literature and music. His particular loves came to be storytelling and music, which he combined in numerous and varied ways until he became a composer,” explains TAMIU professor of music, Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, in his 2005 children’s music textbook, “¡Fiesta de Canciones!” (Macmillan/McGraw Hill).

“Cri-Cri,” originally created as a radio educational show teaching children positive values began its fame in México and Latin America in the 1940s and has continued to be a popular icon since.

The concert includes performances by TAMIU students currently enrolled in the dance program. The performances feature choreography by Bede Leyendecker, chair, department of fine and performing arts, with interpretations by Sandra Leal, adjunct professor of dance, and Courtney Mulcahy, visiting assistant professor of dance.

The dancers will perform as costumed characters that come to life in a variety of dances set to songs such as “El gato del barrio” (The Barrio Cat), “Caminito a la escuela” (The Little Walk to School), “Los ratones bomberos” (The Firefighter Mice), “La osa rusiana” (The Russian Bear), “El ratón vaquero” (The Cowboy Mouse), and many other favorites.

For more information, please contact Leyendecker at 326.2649 or bleyendecker@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, room 217.

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 Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu