Chuchumbe ConcertOctober 31, 2002 at 7–9 p.m.

CHUCHUMBÉ, the group of Jarocho Son, produces, interprets, and recreates music in verse and dances from the Fandango tradition of southern Veracruz, Mexico. The Fandango is an open ritual celebration (from Arabic-Andalusian, Castilian, Afro- and Indo-American backgrounds) that blends music, dance, and poetry, integrating the community around dancing platforms. It evokes and renews a unique view of the world that welcomes the community as well as visitors to participate.

Since its creation in 1991, CHUCHUMBÉ has established a reputation of both exploring and maintaining the traditional roots of the "Jarocho Son" as well as depicting new perspectives, showing the relationships among diverse cultures and contemporary world music genres. The group dedicates part of its work to research: recovering old and forgotten "Sones," instruments, and lyrics, and integrating them to the Fandango. The group is also concerned with the expansion of the sonorous, aesthetic, and expressive possibilities of the "Son Jarocho."

Besides performing, CHUCHUMBÉ is engaged with the diffusion and teaching of the traditions of the Fandango through workshops of traditional music and "zapateado" (percussive dancing), verse composition, and the construction of instruments, especially with children.

This show has been presented with great success in Germany (World Exposition in Hannover), the United States (museums and universities), Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, El Salvador (theatre and music festivals), and most Mexican states. The group has organized six traditional Jarocho Son festivals, offered conferences and conventions of Son musicians, and gathered many groups of traditional music. The group will be in Chapel on November 1 for the celebration of the "Day of the Dead".
Sponsored by: Johnson Foundation, Vocational Reflection, Peace Studies, Student Senate, Presidents Office, Dean of Faculty Office, Diversity, Music and Dance Department, Women Studies, Crossroads, Christ Chapel, and Modern Foreign Languages.