Korea Times Staff Reporter Lee Yong-sung reports that the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul is sponsoring a concert featuring the country's biggest pop idol Cecilia Todd and an acoustic trio from the band Huascar Barradas y Maracaibo, at the Socho Theater in southern Seoul this Saturday.

"After debuting in 1972, the Caracas-born Todd has consistently been atop the Venezuelan pop music industry ... with her clean, attractive voice, she has been invited to sing at such events as the second OPEC summit in Caracasin 2002, and the UNESCO Conference in Paris."

For her first concert in Seoul, the Latin pop diva is accompanied by three members of one of the better-known Venezuelan music groups, Huascar Barradas y Maracaibo. Led by flutist Huascar Barradas, who is a multi-talented soloist, producer and teacher, the band is made up of an incredible group of musicians, including Elvis Martinez on bass and percussionist Simon Bolivara.

After recording their first album "Folk Music From Venezuela'' in 1993, which has been sold in more than 30 countries, Huascar Barradas y Maracaibo became one of the biggest stars of Latin folk music.

Subsequent albums including Mundo Nuevo, Nueva Onda and Candela have received excellent reviews from critics and broad public acceptance, while their music has been heard worldwide through various broadcasting networks.

Cecilia and the band's first concert in South Korea is part of an Asian concert tour, which also has stops in Japan and the Philippines. Cecilia will sing her hit numbers including Merey and Acidito, while the trio will play plenty of their favorites like Pajarillo (Little Bird) and De Repente (Suddenly), which will place the audience at the center of vivid Latin rhythms and beats.

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