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The ArtsCenter: Ballet Folklorico Mexico School Shows 2
<br /> all over the US and world and has received recognition from US and Mexican officials as one of the most
<br /> exciting groups presenting authentic regional dances of Mexico.
<br /> The ArtsCenter is thrilled to welcome Ballet Folklorico Mexico to Orange County in April 2013 for an eight-
<br /> day visit, as part of The ArtsCenter's School Show Series. During this time, the group will reach more than
<br /> 4,300 area youth, through 14 shows in area schools and two shows at The ArtsCenter for school groups.
<br /> Ballet Folklorico Mexico's visit to our community will not only present a unique experience for area students
<br /> but will also expose students to diverse elements of Mexican culture and hopefully serve as a source of pride
<br /> for the growing Spanish-speaking population among our community's students, particularly for those of
<br /> Mexican descent.
<br /> The ArtsCenter respectfully requests $1,500 in funding from the Orange County Arts Commission to help
<br /> support the artist's fee and expenses related to bringing Ballet Folklorico Mexico to our community. More
<br /> specifically, support from the Orange County Arts Commission would help make the following possible:
<br /> In-school Performances (April 10— 17, 2013): Ballet Folklorico Mexico will conduct a total of 14 in-school
<br /> performances in Orange County, reaching approximately 4,000 PreK-8th grade students (see enclosed schedule).
<br /> The shows, which will last approximately 45 minutes each, will take the students on a bilingual journey through
<br /> six to eight regions of Mexico, exploring the music, instruments, costumes, and dance of each area. Different
<br /> from the traditional French definition of classical "ballet," the term "Ballet Folklorico" signifies groups that
<br /> dance the folk dances of Mexico. Ballet Folklorico's performances, which will feature four to six performers,
<br /> will include historic dances from Azteca, Michoacan, Guerrero, Sonora,Jalisco, and other regions of Mexico.
<br /> The costumes will change with the visit to each region, showcasing some elaborate outfits, lavish headdresses,
<br /> and authentic regalia. Students will see costumes adorned with beads, suede, and colorful feathers and
<br /> pheasant tails— some as long as six and half feet! These captivating outfits combine with fascinating folklore to
<br /> create an exciting and educational experience for students, increasing their understanding of Mexican culture.
<br /> Whether watching an unfamiliar ritual dance or the famous "Mexican Hat Dance" (La Rospo), students will be
<br /> enthralled during this high-energy show that transcends barriers of language and cultural influences.
<br /> Additionally, interactive elements are key to performances for school groups, as they will enable the youth to
<br /> get involved in a meaningful way, reaching various learning styles. For the Ballet Folklorico shows, students will
<br /> participate by learning the steps to one of the folk dances, as well as joining in with the musical elements of
<br /> some of the songs.
<br /> All in-school performances during this booking will be free to students and are made possible through a
<br /> longstanding collaboration between The ArtsCenter's School Show Series and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City
<br /> Schools' (CHCCS) Cultural Enrichment Committee, which is made up of PTA volunteers from area CHCCS
<br /> schools and a few private schools.Through this partnership, schools are able to bring in artists at a reduced
<br /> rate, thereby making it possible for them to feature artists at their school that they would otherwise not be
<br /> able to afford, as well as saving them time in the booking process.
<br /> School Shows at The ArtsCenter(April 18, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.): In addition to performing
<br /> for students in area schools, Ballet Folklorico Mexico will also conduct two shows at The ArtsCenter for
<br /> school groups, as part of the School Show Series (see enclosed 2012-2013School Show Series poster).The
<br /> ArtsCenter's School Show Series consists of high-quality, arts-based educational performances by local,
<br /> regional, and national artists. Each year, the School Show Series provides more than 20,000 experiences to
<br /> area youth through the combination of performances at The ArtsCenter and in area schools. Annually, the
<br /> majority of participants in the School Show Series are from Orange County, and the series reaches a broad
<br /> spectrum of our community, similar in scope to The ArtsCenter's usual audience (52%White, 25%African-
<br /> American, 14% Latino, 7%Asian-American, and 2% Native American).
<br /> Based on current reservations, we anticipate the Ballet Folklorico School Shows at The ArtsCenter to reach
<br /> more than 325 people, representing six districts (Orange, CHCCS,Wake, Durham, Chatham, and Guilford).
<br /> The audiences for these two shows will be a mix of elementary (K-5th) students from area public schools,
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