“Alegría’s” emerald anniversary

“Alegría,” an annual performance by the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico, is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and vibrant talent that has defined the program for over half a century.

The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Performing Arts Complex on the Edinburg campus. Additional performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 16.

“If you want to see a good quality folklórico show, it will be here,” said Miguel Peña, director of the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico and dance lecturer. 

Peña added that UTRGV is a unique institution for having concentrations in folklórico and mariachi, something other universities in the country do not offer. 

“The folklórico culture and the mariachi culture are very embedded in the [Rio Grande] Valley, and we can see it everywhere we look,” he said. “UTRGV has one of the best mariachis in the whole nation.”

The Rider asked Peña what makes “Alegría” special. 

“I think it’s … the mixture of talent, of all the dancers, the singer, the musicians and the people [part of] the production,” he replied. “I think it’s what makes “Alegría” one of the best shows in the Rio Grande Valley.”

The show was first conceived by the program’s late founder Amilda Thomas, a professor in the department of Health and Physical Education, at then Pan American University. 

Peña, who became the program director in 2018, said the evolution of “Alegría” since its inauguration, has been in the immense talent and quality of dancers that continue to join the company from all parts of Texas. 

“They could have gone to any university in Texas to study … but they came down here because they wanted to dance with us,” he said. 

Angela Marentes, dance and civil engineering junior, told The Rider it means a lot to be in “Alegría.”

“Especially coming from outside of the Valley, I get to experience a culture I wouldn’t get to experience [otherwise],” Marentes said. “… For me, it’s life-changing getting to celebrate something like this.” 

The director said the prestige of the program continues to grow thanks to the university’s support through funding opportunities for the dancers to experience, such as traveling to Oklahoma to perform with Los Tigres del Norte. 

The Rider asked Peña what it means to choreograph a folklórico performance and how much creative freedom there is in directing it. 

“[That is] a really interesting and long conversation,” he replied. “The work of a choreographer [is] to do a good quality research, so we can represent [the dances] as authentic as possible … maybe one little step could be included in the choreography to make it your own. 

“But, mainly, the work of a Mexican choreographer is to do good research … and maybe to [add] a backstory, for example, a love story … or the inclusion of some other elements into the choreography, like props.”

Peña said he became part of “Alegría’s” history by performing with the folklórico company in 2006 as an undergraduate in the legacy institution, the University of Texas–Pan American.

“If I go back to 2006, I never thought I was going to be in this position,” he said. “… I was studying engineering. I got my bachelor’s in engineering. … And then, I got my master’s in dance, and that’s when I came back [and became] director of the group.”

Peña said “it’s super special” being part of such a legendary production. 

“To be part of it now on this side of the stage, I enjoyed dancing, but I think I enjoy more directing and choreographing,” he said. “So, it’s a nice feeling.”

Peña aims for the production to bring some “alegría” to audiences but also a sense of pride.

Dance senior Ezra Alcocer said it is a great feeling to be a part of “Alegría” because he becomes part of the group’s history.

“When I see at the end of any … dance …  people clapping, I think that [is] the most rewarding feeling,” Alcocer added. “[And] at the end of the show, seeing the crowd standing up whistling and clapping [is rewarding] because you know you did the best.”

Tickets are available for purchase via showpass.com.