West Valley City » Three times a week, high-school and college students crowd in the basement of Juanita Paucar's home to practice native Peruvian dances. This weekend, folks will be able to see them perform in public.

More than 30 people make up the dance group Kausachun Peru, which means "long live Peru" in Quechua, a South American language. They are taught by Paucar and her husband, Ruben Ventura, who said they enjoy teaching the students from various Latino backgrounds in hopes Peruvian traditions are maintained in Utah.

"We want to share our culture and costumes with others," said Paucar, who moved to Utah from Peru in 2000.

This month, Kausachun Peru celebrates its seventh anniversary in the Salt Lake Valley. The group performs, usually for free, about three times a month at festivals, church events and libraries, Paucar said. She wanted to do something more for the students who put so much time and energy into practicing. The couple decided to raise money to start a Peruvian Scholarship Fund at the University of Utah. Kausachun Peru is sponsoring two fundraising events this weekend at Kearns High. "It will have our name [Peruvian], but it will benefit all of the Latinos," she said.

 

National Contest of Marinera Norteña USA
When » 6-10 p.m. Friday

Where » Kearns High School, 5525 S. 4800 West

Cost » $5; children 10 and younger are free

What to expect » Some 10 couples -- from children to adults from California to New Jersey -- performing Marinera Norteña, a traditional Peruvian dance where partners start separately but end up together.

Kausachun Peru's Peruvian Traditions and Customs Festival

 

When » 6-10 p.m. Friday

Where » Kearns High School, 5525 S. 4800 West

Cost » $10

What to expect » Marinera Norteña dance workshops. Native Peruvian dance and musical performances. Peruvian food for sale.

Proceeds from both fundraisers will go to the new University of Utah Peruvian Scholarship Fund. For information about the events, dance group Kausachun Peru or the University of Utah Peruvian Scholarship Fund, call Juanita Paucar at 801-390-2700. Web site: www.kausachunperu.org.