Baile folklórico
, literally "folkloric dance" in Spanish, is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics - pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed. As mentioned below, baile folklórico
owes its inception to Amalia Hernandez. Baile folklórico
differs from danzas
and regional bailes
. "Folk dances", that is, "dances that you will find in the villages, not on stage" were researched and disseminated by Alura Angeles de Flores. A good rule of thumb is if the woman raises her hands about her head (thus showing her legs), it is folklórico
. Each region in Mexico, the Southwestern United States and Central American countries is known for a handful of locally characteristic dances.
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BALLET FOLKLORICO TICKETS
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Mexico
Dances
The state of
Jalisco, for example, is especially known for its
jarabe
,
son
and
el baile de los sonajeros
which accompany its famous mariachi. The state of
Nuevo Leon, with its great European influence, is known for its "polka" and "shotis." The state of
Guerrero is known for its
sintesis
and
tixtla
.
Michoacán is known for its
huetamo
and “
Historia del Traje de la Mujer Michoacana
,” a dance which depicts a local folktale Alegria. 1995.
[1]. Though the dances differ from region to region, the basic steps and style of dance are similar. Traditional
bailes
in Vera Cruz are characterized by a basic set of steps called
zapateados
which involve percussive heel-stomping.
Costumes
Costumes in the southwest United States are characterized by denim and western shirts while costumes of the
Federal District of Mexico reflect a stronger traditional Spanish influence and those of
the Yucatán reflect indigenous traditions.
[2]
In the folk dances of Northern Mexico, men generally wear black trousers, accented with a red tie and belt and a black wide-brimmed hat. Women wear brightly colored ruffled skirts trimmed with ribbons whose colors are local signifiers, shoes with heavy clog-like heels and ornate hair pieces
[3].
Popularity
Amalia Hernandez pioneered
baile folklorico
in the 1950s with her establishment of and leadership of the
Ballet Folklorico Mexico. Additionally, she founded a school in
Mexico City for the study and practice of classical and folkloric dance techniques.
[4]
Prior to the explosion in popularity among student and community groups,
bailes folklóricos
were (and currently are) performed as a part of large parties or community events. The
mariachi musicians generally stand in a line at the back of the performance space and perform without written musical notation, while the dancers perform in couples in front of the mariachis.
Central America
{{#if:October 2007{{#ifexist:Category:Articles to be expanded since October 2007
Central America has many
bailes Folkloricos
. One typical dance from
Costa Rica is the
Punto Guanacasteco.
References
- 5 March 2006 www.alegria.org
-
- The JVC/Smithsonian Folkways video anthology of music and dance of the Americas: Volume 6 Central and South America. Dir. and Prod. Ohta, Horoaki, Katsumori Ichikawa, Yuji Ichihashi and Nihon Bikuta Kabushiki Kaisha. Videocassette. Multicultural Media, 1995.
- Past Cowan Event - Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez