Directed by Dance instructors Linda Maxwell and Jacqueline Silva, Fiesta Folklórica celebrates Mexican culture with dances from eight different states. There will be special guest performances from the Eureka High School LatinX Club: Folklórico Dancers and Ballet Folklórico Infantil de Arcata.
The dance “Flor de Piña” is from the Mexican State of Oaxaca and represents the region of Papaloapan. The annual festivities in Oaxaca aim to show and ‘offer’ the products of each region in the state. Created in 1958, the “Flor de Piña” dance makes references to the Papaloapan Basin area, where pineapples commonly grow, the “offering” from the region. The dance was choreographed by Kelly Ramón and will be performed by dancers from Folklórico Infantil de Arcata and Eureka High School LatinX Club: Folklórico Dancers.
“It is so important to understand that cultures should be more inviting instead of being so separated. Dancing Folklórico as someone who isn’t Mexican, and coming in having no experience, I was immediately welcomed into it. It kind of just brings you another perspective of something so beautiful. These moments have provided an opportunity to learn about different traditions and customs…a heartwarming experience,” says Ella Ranario, 15, Northern Union Humboldt Charter School student and Folklórico Infantil de Arcata member.
The state of Michoacán is well represented in the evening’s program. Los Viejitos, choreographed by Jeff O’Connor, a dance native to the Lake Patzcuaro in the Michoacán region, has been performed since before the conquest. The dancer carries a hewn wooden cane with the handle in the shape of a deer’s head resembling the staff of Tonacacihuatl—mother of the gods. The dance is evidently dedicated to Huehueteotl, the Old God or the God of Fire, who is represented in pre-Hispanic sculptures as a bent-backed smiling ancient carrying a huge brazier on his back. As Grandfather Fire and Grandfather Deer’s Tail, he is always recognizable by his inseparable deer‘s head cane. The dance will be performed by Eureka High School LatinX Club: Folklórico Dancers and students from St. Bernard’s Academy.
Also directed by O’Connor and performed by the Fiesta Folklórica Ensemble, the most representative dances of the Michoacán region are the Jarabillo de Novios, Jarabillo de tres, La Costilla, and Los Arrieros. These dances express the pride and vibrance of these Indigenous peoples and their glorious past, having never been conquered during the period of colonization. The legend exists that the Tarascans traveled from the north and populated the central part of Mexico settling in Patzcuaro. The music accompanying these dances of the river valley and lakebed is a bit happier and more complicated. The zapateados (footwork) that add accompaniment to the music are represented in all the dances.
“Culturally, participating in Fiesta Folklórica allows me to participate in a traditional dance that my mother and grandma couldn't do due to finances,” says 20-year-old Yariana Esparza, a Biology major at Cal Poly Humboldt. “Being able to participate in Fiesta Folklórica shows them that I am proud of my culture. People should come to see Fiesta Folklórica to see the beauty of Mexican culture.”
The state of Nuevo Leon is represented by a distinct form of music and dance. The reason is primarily geographical, as the culture that did come to Northern Mexico sifted down from the United States. The European dances that came with settlers to the United States in 1873 were the same dances that took root in Northern Mexico: The Contradanza, the Chotis, Polkas, and Mazurkas. The Eureka High School LatinX Club: Folklórico Dancers will perform “El Naranjo,” “El Cerro De La Silla,” and “La Cápsula.” Choreography is taught by O’Connor with assistance from Xennia Arid Avendaño, Sergio Garza-Valencia, and Alexis Quiros Arredondo.
“I am grateful to have been allowed to work with the Eureka High School group, seeing so much youth come together to display our culture and heritage warms my heart. I look forward to continuing work with Ballet Folklórico de Cal Poly Humboldt and the high school group. Viva la Raza,” says Arrendondo.
“La Bruja,” “El Canelo,” and “El Zapateado Veracruzano” are dances from the state of Veracruz. Choreographed by director Silva and performed by the Fiesta Folklórica Ensemble. The dances from Veracruz are a celebration of its life, history, and diversity along with Spanish, African, and Indigenous cultural influences. The dance “La Bruja” (the Witch), signifying the supernatural, is one of the most well-known mythical and ethereal dances of the region. “El Canelo” celebrates the courtship between couples dancing with each other by vigorously shaking their shoulders. “El Zapateado Veracruzano” is a dance celebrating the joy, rhythmic speed, and technical zapateados of Veracruz.
The state of Zacatecas is rich with dances influenced strongly by the Spanish. A relatively rich region, noted for its silver and gold mining, the dances showcase the strong use of zapateados. Traditional dresses include women with flowered skirts and matching colored blouses of a solid color, while men typically wear solid pants with white shirts and scarves around their waist. Director Maxwell choreographed the dances “Mexicapan,” “Pulquette,” and “Los Colorados.” The dance will be performed by the Fiesta Folklórica Ensemble.
The evening will also feature performances by the Fiesta Folklórica/Danza Azteca Ensemble. Danza Azteca is a cultural dance tradition practiced throughout the country of Mexico. Its origins date back thousands of years to ancient Mesoamerican ceremonies in Mexico and Central America. Elements of a Danza Azteca ceremony evoke the sights and sounds of ancient Tenochtitlan, with colorful regalia and stirring music. While these dances are sacred, what is being shown is only a sampling of what is done in ceremony. Danza has always been a means of reminding the people of their history, celebrating and fulfilling spiritual responsibilities—as well as playing an important role in the empire’s performing arts. The dance “Fuego” honors the element of fire and reminds us of our responsibility to use the gift correctly, as we are the only beings with that ability. “Antigua” is the reenactment of a warrior’s preparation for battle by asking that the powers of the forces of nature be with him: fire, rain, wind, and earth. A recurring image in the dance is the hummingbird, the symbol of the warrior because of its ability to move at lightning speed. “Aguila Blanca” tells a portion of one of the creation stories where Eagle and Jaguar battle. Danza Azteca is choreographed by Elizabeth Rivera, Naeem Tiacauh, Ayotl Alston, and Ramon Ramirez with drumming by Naeem Tiacauh, Ayotl Alston, and Jude Royal.
The state of Jalisco is home to the songs and dances of Guadalajara, a city known for its beautiful people, Mariachis, and elaborate fiestas. The lyrics and movements of the songs and dances depict country life in general and often use imagery of the courtships of the animals as a metaphor for the relationships of people. The themes are love, humor, and tragedy, and thus tell the story of a colonized people who nevertheless thrive and contribute immeasurably to life as we know it in the Americas. Choreographed by O’Connor and Silva, the dances include “Las Alazanas,” performed by Ballet Folklórico Infantil de Arcata; “El Gavilancillo,” “El Gusto”, and “El Son De La Negra,” performed by Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt; and “Jarabe Tapatio,” performed by the Fiesta Folklórica Ensemble and Eureka High School LatinX Club: Folklórico Dancers.
The dancers, directors, and choreographers of Fiesta Folklórica want you to know how important and amazing this performance is for the community.
“In a world where people who look like me and my peers are detained and deported for being brown and having specific features it is important to be in spaces that celebrate and empower each other,” Arredondo says. “We have so many different backgrounds in our group and have created connections within the University but also in the community.”
Purchase tickets at tickets.humboldt.edu/dance-music-and-theatre. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Free for Cal Poly Humboldt students with ID, $13 General, $8 Child.
For more information, contact Cal Poly Humboldt School of Dance, Music & Theatre at (707) 826-3566 or dance@humboldt.edu