The nationally recognized Ballet Folklórico of UTRGV will have an open rehearsal for its annual dance series, “Alegría 2017,” at 7:30 tonight in the Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg.
Performances will continue Friday, Saturday and Feb. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees Sunday and Feb. 19. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and $8 for children.
Shows for high schools and below will take place at 10 a.m. Friday and Feb. 17. Tickets are $5 with reservation required by calling 665-2230.
The ballet, which was founded in 1970, has since collaborated in the production of concerts, ballets and musicals with the UTRGV Theatre, the UTRGV Music Department and the Valley Symphony Orchestra and has performed across the United States, as well as in in Canada, France and Italy.
The company has also received national recognition from the American College Dance Association (ACDA), which selected among the best 30 choreographies across the nation to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in 2012, 2014 and 2016, the last one accompanied by the other UTRGV award-winning ensemble, Mariachi Aztlán.
“All these collaborations are always very important for the growth of our students. … All these experiences of working with the Symphonic, of working with recognized artists, with other class of artists, it’s something that helps open up the mind to create new things, and that’s what we want. We want to educate our students to be successful professionals,” said Miguel Angel Peña, artistic director of Ballet Folklórico.
“Alegría 2017” will be accompanied by the music of Mariachi Aztlán. The two-hour production is divided into seven sections and features 36 dancers and 15 musicians.
The sections consist of the traditional dances of the Mexican states of Campeche, Tamaulipas, Oaxaca, Jalisco and Veracruz. The last two sections will highlight contemporary Mexican folkdances.
Choreography is enhanced by the corresponding costume, makeup, lighting and music.
Uriel Góngora, a pre-med biology senior and member of the dance group, said his favorite regional piece is “Santa Catarina Juquila,” from the state of Oaxaca.” During the dance, they mock the cultural stereotype of men being machos and mujeriegos (womanizers), and women going after the best bet.
“So we dance and at the same time we have fun,” Góngora said.
Peña said: “We try to expose to the public the traditions and culture of Mexico.”
He said the folkloric ballet is “a very pretty and cheerful way to remember and help maintain the traditions and culture of our Mexico here in the United States.”
Besides Peña, Ballet Folklórico UTRGV is under the direction of Program Director Francisco Muñoz and Production Manager Zeidy Garza.
Garza said students interested in joining the dance group must enroll in one of three folklórico classes offered every semester and make their way to the ballet after completing the advanced class (Folklórico III).
Additionally, auditions will be conducted the last week April for prospective ballet or class members.
