2013-033 EDC-Arts - McDougle Elementary School PTA $1,000

Browse Search

Arts in Education Grant—Fall 2012-13 McDougle Elementary School PTA Ballet Folklorico Mexico Tc-a in t-1 k )t:tl«la.{ C avJ A .w LLE T 1=OL OKICO A4EXICO About the Company The full name of the speetaeular folk dance Company is the Botlet Folklorivo Mexico de Los Hermanos Avila, founded in 1972 by Carmen and Jesus Avila(sister and brother)who are stall performing with the company, Joined by a second and third generation of Avilas, Jesus is the director while Armando Contreras is choreographer,costume designer and artistic director_ The authentic traditional regalia, lavish and colorful, are an important part of the shown as they transform the energetic dancers from+:ante scene to another_ The majestic costumes are symbolic and are adorned with beads,suede,and colorful pheasant tails,scene of which are six and a half feet in length. The Mallet Fcalklorico Mexico has been recognized by U.S_ and Mexican officials as 6 cxae of the most exciting groups presenting authentic regional dances of Mexico. The group has received prraclamarions and commendations from the State of Wisr_crnsiri,as well as from the ;Mexican Government Tourism Office- The dancers crortsider themselves multicultural ambassadors from around the world_ Many of the dancers are college students, some come from Mexico,Puerto Rico and from as far as.lapin and China- While the home base of the group is in Modi:stxt, Wi:scrxasin, some e members have performed in Germany, Russia and Mexico_ The dancers perform ,.• ,� , r igorously and in great precision practicing four to five days a week. r ° 1 The Ballet was created to preserve Mexicon folk dance-s. It also,serves as a means to provide others with the opportunity to appreciate diversity among cultures, - About the Performance The program includes historic dot-ices from Azteca, ,'vNidxoacon, Guerrre;re_r, Sonora, r Jalisco,and rather regions cif lar'rexico,as well as dances dedicated tza the"soldaderas," " .. ' the courageous women who supported and even fought alongside the men during the � Mexican revolution. Regional dances reflect the unique tradition of a great country „ where many groups were physically isolated from one another,yet shared for the most part,language and common spirit_ The Ballet transcends cultural influences from around the world. Mexico is a land of many faces. It has mountains and beaches,deserts and tropical rainforests,uninhabited wilderness and one to the largest cities in the world_ Food,music, dress and dance wary from one region to another,even from village to village. A 900-year pilgrimage to find a symbol that would tell the people where to build their empire ended when a band of Aztecs discovered an island on which they save an eagle devcauuring a serpent over a cactus_ The island in Lake Texcoco was inhabiters by Aztec men and women, where they celebrated life (with their gods) with magnificent rituals and cererrio ies,in which music and dance were key elements. Elaborate feathered outfits were thought to provide mystical communication with the gads_ Page 18 of 24