Laredo celebrates el dieciseis de septiembre with ballet folklorico

Lights, laughter, and the pride of a nation coalesced in historic downtown Laredo during the annual celebration of the dieciseis de septiembre (Sept. 16), Mexico’s independence day. Mariachi bands, cumbia singers, and dancers all participated in the event, not least among them the TAMIU Ballet Folklorico. “We’re very excited to be part of the independence celebration,” said Folklorico director and instructor Sandra Leal. Now in her second semester as director, Leal stated that while she’d never performed for the annual downtown celebration, the dance troupe-one of TAMIU’s oldest-has many times before. She expressed her sense of connection to the occasion.”This is our passion. We have Mexican blood. It’s just very exciting,” said Leal. Erika Espinoza, a ten-year veteran of the group, also spoke of the marriage of artistic achievement and cultural experience. “I love to dance. You just feel so much pride in your culture, in your ancestors. It’s just great to be able to preserve all those traditions and to pass them on to new generations.”Mexican Ballet Folklorico, or folk dancing, is characterized by its presentation of folk culture through dances representing various regions of Mexico. On this occasion, the group, scheduled as one of the event’s closing acts, performed four traditional dances from the state of Chihuahua. The men resembled cowboys in jeans, hats, and traditional men’s folklorico boots; meanwhile, the women wore costumes emblematic of the region of Chihuahua, according to long-time dancer and Spanish major Manuel Moya.The dresses’ thick sleeves and long neck, said Moya, “make sense because Chihuahua is cold,” and he added that the wide skirt essential for the quick turns the women have to make. And they certainly made them. Quick pace and festal attitude typified the dances performed by couples as men held the women in customary Chihuahua position: one hand on the small of the woman’s back, the other holding her hand, arm outstretched. From there the couples moved with intricate zapateado (footwork), and men led the women in executing a number of complicated turns and twirls. Veteran TAMIU bailarin Jose “Boi” Sanchez specially choreographed the dances for this occasion. Just before going on stage, Moya wanted to send a special Independence Day message. “This is a beautiful day that we should remember,” said Moya. “I’m Mexican. I feel it in my skin. But it’s beautiful to see others who may be not Mexican but who share Hispanic roots, to see that they feel it too. Viva Mexico!”