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Teacker,5tud.q Cara <br /> 5ALLE T FOL KL OKICO <br /> About the Company <br /> The Ballet was created to preserve Mexican folk dances and to provide others with the opportunity to <br /> appreciate diversity among cultures. The full name of this spectacular folk dance company is the Ballet Folklorico <br /> Mexico de Los Hemanos Avila. The company was founded in 1972 by Carmen and Jesus Avila (sister and <br /> brother) who are still performing today. They were subsequently joined by a second and third generation of <br /> Avilas. Jesus Avila is the director and Armando Contreras is the choreographer, costume designer, and artistic <br /> director. The lavish and colorful authentic regalia are an integral part of the show and transition the energetic <br /> dancers from one scene to the next. The majestic costumes are symbolic of Mexican culture and are adorned <br /> with beads, suede, and colorful pheasant tails, some of which are six and a half feet in length. <br /> The Ballet Folklorico Mexico has been recognized <br /> by U.S. and Mexican officials as one of the most � � <br /> exciting groups presenting the authentic regional r m <br /> dances of Mexico. The group has received -- _ <br /> proclamations and commendations from the State <br /> of Wisconsin, as well as from the Mexican ;,u ,.,l <br /> Government Tourism Office. The dancers `' <br /> consider themselves multicultural ambassadors <br /> from around the world. Many of the dancers are r '` <br /> college students coming from Mexico, Puerto <br /> Rico, and from as far as Japan and China. The <br /> Madison Wisconsin based group has performed <br /> all over the world, including in Germany, Russia, <br /> and Mexico. The dancers rigorously practice <br /> four to five days a week to maintain the <br /> precision and integrity of their dances. ` <br /> About the Performance <br /> The program includes historic dances from Azteca, Michoacan, Guerrero, Sonora, Jalisco, and other regions of <br /> Mexico, as well as dances dedicated to the "soldaderas," the courageous women who supported and even <br /> fought alongside the men during the Mexican revolution. Mexico is a land of many faces with mountains and <br /> beaches, deserts and tropical rainforests, uninhabited wilderness and one of the largest cities in the world. Food, <br /> music, dress, and dance vary from one region to another, even from village to village. The regional dances <br /> reflect the unique tradition of a great country where many groups were physically isolated form one another, yet <br /> shared a common language and spirit <br /> Page 1 <br />