Juan Cayrampoma & Andean Dancers

Juan Cayrampoma from the Andean/Latin fusion group Raymi will join forces with traditional Andean Scissors Dancers in a concert that will transport you to the deepest highland regions of Peru.  Juan's music brings the haunting sounds and mystic power from the Andes to the rest of the Americas and the world, using traditional instruments such as zampoñas, mosceños, quenas and tarkas.

The Danza de las tijeras (Scissors Dance) is an original dance from one of the deepest highland regions of Peru.  The dance is an impressive manifestation of physical art and skill, but to the Andean man it represents a complex ritual.  The scissors dance takes its name from the pair of polished iron rods, resembling scissors blades, wielded by each dancer in his right hand.  Together with musicians, the dancers perform a choreographed duel of step-dancing, acrobatics and increasingly demanding movements.

The origin of the dance is shrouded in mystery but it likely began before Spanish colonization in Quechua communities in the southern Central Andes of Peru.  It was used to celebrate, reveal and worship Andean deities.  

This is a concert not to be missed!