Culture Comes Alive with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico performs a popular dance from the Mexican state of Jalisco, a crowd pleaser involving Mariachis, that helps end the show with a bang.
Photo by Robert Shomler

by ACS Contributor Jose Torres

The last time Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez came to Austin, the Bass Concert Hall was still waiting for its renovations, and the city skyline was missing a few high rises. So when the Long Center for the Performing Arts announced a one night only performance from this elite world-renowned dance team, it came as no surprise not an empty seat could be found.

The founder of this dance troupe, Amalia Hernandez, created the company back in 1952. Since then, all the dances have remained the same, but they continue to wow audiences every time.

Each dance tells a story of the many regions of Mexico. The outfits and the classic ballet moves incorporated with "taconazos", or stomp of the feet, bring the country's past to life on the stage. Hernandez' goal was to help keep a variety of Mexico's oldest cultural traditions alive, dating back to pre-Columbian civilizations. The troupe, Mexico's national dance company, combines historical research with creativity, refining ancient and continuing traditions into vivid entertainment that bounces back and forth in time as it draws from the more than 30 cultures Mexico has embraced over the centuries.

The performance itself is a mesmerizing tour of Mexico; vivid colors and hypnotic sounds that will make you buy that one-way ticket to Mexico Lindo Y Querido.

It was amazing to see how these professionals are able to show you the hunt of the deer through dance or "La Danza del Venado." Moves that bring the emotion of how hunters prepare for their adventure, and how the deer tries to outlive the Yaqui people. The Yaqui's have a reputation of being excellent hunters.

Another favorite of mine, Tlacotalpan Festival, try saying that three times in a row. The stage is built into a town square where musicians and dancers get festive with a variety of live music. It involves Mojigangas, enormous puppets that symbolize different cultural figures of Mexico.

One set takes you back in time to the day modern Mexico began with the revolution of 1910. This performance is called, well, "La Revolution." It is dedicated to the "soldaderas" or female soldiers with rifles in hand who supported their men by fighting for their country. The dance shows the troubles these fierce women had to endure.

I got a bit nostalgic during this show. The Rope Dance, or Love Dance, is a favorite act still performed today in Charreadas, or Rodeos, in Mexico and even here in the U.S. Charreadas was a must with my family. It was a weekend ritual involving horses, clowns, live music, and a variety of performances.

And you can't have a Folklorico show without a live mariachi performance. The audience was shocked when members of the mariachi came down the aisles performing a well known favorite, "Guadalajara." By then, I knew the show was near the final curtain call, and I kept savoring each note, each stomp, and each yell carried out by one of the dancers. The show was closed out with a performance from the Mexican state of Jalisco. This is a state known for its Charros, the Chinas, and of course, the Mariachis. Dances based out of Jalisco are known for their colorful fiesta with songs and dances like "El Jarabe Tapatio" or the famous Mexican Hat Dance. At the end, the team of dancers salute the crowd with colorful paper streamers, simulating a fireworks show to end the night.

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez is based out of Mexico city. Its home, Palacio de las Bellas Artes, is a must-see the next time you head south.

So if this review left you wanting more, the Long Center for the Performing Arts has a calendar full of similar events, like Spirit of Uganda. This performance scheduled for March brings to life the sounds and music of East Africa.

For more information on the group, click here.