Los Llaneros to Perform Unique Latin American Music at Grinnell College Tuesday, Oct. 15
News Releases 2013-09-27
Summary:
Los Llaneros (yah-NEH-ros), an ensemble known for its energetic and haunting melodies of the Colombian-Venezuelan plains, will perform music rarely heard outside of Latin America on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Herrick Chapel at Grinnell College.
"Los Llaneros" means "the people of the Llanos," which are the savannas of the Orinoco River in South America. Due to its distinctly characteristic syncopations and complex harp techniques, Llanero music is seldom performed in its authentic style outside of the region, and hence remains one of Latin America's best-kept secrets.
Los Llaneros, founded in Latin America in 1978, brings Llanero music to places outside of the Llanos. Founding member Karin Stein (Colombian), who graduated from Grinnell College in 1984, continues to serve as the ensemble's main vocalist and ensemble leader. Other ensemble members include Edgar East (Panamanian), harpist Daniel Rojas (Colombian), and guest percussionist and vocalist Diego Mosquera (Colombian).
On Oct. 15, Los Llaneros will perform with the Grinnell Singers and the Grinnell High School Choirs.
Llanero music has evolved over the past 500 years, starting with the contact between nomadic Pre-Colombian Indians and Jesuit settlers who colonized the open grasslands of the Orinoco watershed and introduced string instruments, horses and cattle to the region—all essential ingredients for this type of diverse and joyful music, which talks about cattle ranching, nature and love.
Tickets are required for this free public performance and may be obtained at the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts box office at Grinnell College beginning Friday, Oct. 11, noon to 5 p.m. A limited number of tickets are also available beginning at noon Friday, Oct. 11, at the Pioneer Bookshop in downtown Grinnell.
Herrick Chapel is located at 1128 Park St., with parking available along the street in front of the venue and in nearby parking lots. Grinnell welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Information on parking and accessibility is available on the college website, here: http://www.grinnell.edu/app/wermap.html. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations at 641-269-3235 or calendar@grinnell.edu.
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