Essence of Mexico Performance at The Bryan Museum

Travel south of the border with YAH Arts Partner Mixteco Ballet Folklorico! The group presents dances from the Northern state of Nuevo Leon, which was first brought to Mexico from European countries such as Germany, Austria, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. These dances include The Polka, Shotiz and Huapangos Norteños. Next, the group travels south to Veracruz. In the state of Veracruz, the “Zapateados”, or footwork, are very intricate and reminiscent of the Flamenco dances from Spain. The group dances to the “Zapateado Jarocho”, where the ladies and gentlemen take turns trying to out-dance each other. In closing this region, the group will dance to “La Bamba”, as the dancers will attempt to tie a knot with a long, red sash of ribbon. The group’s final numbers are from the state of Jalisco, where the Mariachi music is believed to have originated. The dynamic sounds of trumpets, violins, and guitars come alive, as the dancers make their grand entrance. The vibrant colorful ribbon on the women’s dresses reminds us of the typical fiestas of old Mexico. Next, the Mexican cowboys known as “Charros” dance their way onto the stage, with their wide-brimmed “sombreros”. In closing the show, the group performs their final number, “The Jarabe Tapatío”, or better known around the world as The Mexican Hat Dance. Víva México!