Students of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)Ballet FolklÔrico have been working towards learning the choreography for the 10thAnnual Ballet FolklÔrico Showcase that occurred at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts just this past Saturday. Unlike other classes, there is no syllabus passed for this TAMIU class. The first day of class they are focused on the festival.
In a statement provided on the TAMIU website about the its 10thshowcase by Sandra Leal, director of TAMIU Ballet FolklÔrico, pronounces, “The purpose of the Workshop, which is sponsored by the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, is to expose students to dance lessons taught by master folklórico dance teachers, help folklÔrico dance groups supplement their repertoire of regional dances, provide an opportunity to network with other dance groups and expose the general public to the beauty of Mexican folklÔrico through public performance.”
Many of the dancers have been studying ballet folklÔrico for some time, including Ana Melissa Rodrìguez, a dancer with the TAMIU Ballet FolklÔrico, who began dancing beginning in high school with jazz and ballet, and joined the troupe to learn more about ballet folklÔrico. She declares “I [what to] learn more about my culture-what are the different traditions and learn the styles of different Mexican states-how the dances and costumes reflect those areas the dances come from.”
Dancers and students began the day by attending workshops given in the morning and early afternoon. This involved students from San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and, as far as, Houston-which the TAMIU dancers appreciated because of the ability to interact between with each other.
In an interview before the showcase, Priscilla González affirmed, “For the people coming from other high schools and cities, it is nice to interact with other people and get their opinions about what they do over there. If we need help with something, they will help us especially because they specialize in other dances styles. It is an awesome and great experience.”
Even with the week delay-the original date scheduled the showcase was for February 7th-there was no dampening of excitement for the workshops and performances. The TAMIU Ballet FolklÔrico Juvenil and University troupes started the performances off with the dance style from Veracruz. The juvenil troupe danced to La Bamba, El Tilingolingo, andEl Celoso; while the university troupe danced to El Canelo, La Paloma, andCarnaval Veracruzano.
This was followed by a Baja California dance routine from the Grupo CorazÔn de Mèxico of Bastrop High School-which even after a slight fall by one of the dancers, finished their set of Paloma Linda andLa Loba del Mal with great enthusiasm and applause.
The festival revisited Veracruz with a performance in more of the classical costumes performed by Grupo FolklÔrico “Mi Tierra”. The young dancers got a few laughs when some of the dancers gently correct their partner in the proper hand positions during their arrangements of Fandango Jarocho, El Hauteque, andEl Butaquito.
The ending performances, by Grupo Huhuecoyotl of Tamaulipas, Mexico, were of the Sonora style and got the crowd clapping and shouting in rhythm with the dancers during the Sonora Bronco. Then more dancers from the group performed Bautizo Guerrerense, a beautifully choreographed play-dance centered on festivities during the celebration of a baptism.
After the performances were completed for all, the troupes packed the staged in all the colorful costumes as they thanked the audience for coming to the showcase and showing their support for the tradition of the Mexican dances and culture.
For more information about the TAMIU Ballet FolklÔric, the TAMIU Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 326-2654.
Call 326-ARTS (326-2787) for a list of upcoming art events or click ontamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe.
(Judith Mae Aguilar can be reached at judithaguilar@dusty.tamiu.edu)
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