A vibrant group of young Venezuelan musicians and dancers called Estudiantina VENUSA will perform Friday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. in Anabel Taylor Hall Auditorium on the Cornell University campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Dressed in native costume, the traveling ensemble will perform works from the diverse regional traditions of Venezuela, in addition to songs and dances from Spain, Ecuador, Mexico and other Latin American countries. Friday's event is sponsored by the Committee on U.S./Latin American Relations (CUSLAR) at Cornell.

An estudiantina is a traditional musical group that traces its history to the centuries-old Spanish university student ensembles, which performed serenades, dances and nights on the town. The members typically dressed in colorful, traditional clothing such as long capes, passing through the streets singing and playing guitar and other traditional instruments. VENUSA adds a decidedly South American accent with typical Latin American instruments and more recent popular Latin dance music, such as merengue and salsa.

The performers are touring central New York through a program that aims to break down cross-cultural stereotypes; forge links between Venezuelan and U.S. students, faculty and community members; educate students about Venezuelan geography, language and socio-politics; and encourage study abroad.

The concert at Cornell is co-sponsored by the Cornell Council for the Arts, the Venezuelan Students and Scholars Association and the Latin American Studies Program.

For more information, contact Hannah Wittman of CUSLAR at (607) 255-7293.