Ballet Folklorico de Mexico: Mexico's History and Culture on Stage

Ballet Folklorico, or “folkloric dance” will feature Mexican culture and history in dance routines at Sangamon Auditorium on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 8 p.m.

Developed in the early 1950s, what is now Ballet Folklorico de Mexico began as a dance troupe of 8, after Amalia Hernandez learned dancing from Mexican Academy of Dance. Soon enough, a Mexican TV station invited the dance troupe, Ballet Moderno de Mexico, to perform and the group increased to 20, filming a dance routine every week for 67 episodes on the TV program “Funcion de Gala.”

 After some initial touring in the late 1950s, a turning point came when the dance group became cultural representatives of Mexico at Chicago’s Pan-American Games. The 50-strong dance troupe performed well and catapulted to the success that would make them iconic.

 It all began with the simple dream of 8-year-old Amalia, when she said, “Dad, I want to Dance.” Amalia wanted to express herself in dance. But, her dance troupe idea grew exponentially to represent so much more. Ballet Folklorico now expresses the history, culture and identity of a whole nation.

 In the words of the creator, Amalia Hernandez:

A México with bundle of tassels. And engraved silver

A México with ears of corn, brown-skinned people.

A México, of fairs, of candy skulls.

Tame, quiet, wild, incongruous, strident, lighthearted.

The México of ancient ruins, churches made of gold and shadows. And gardens of bougainvillea and tropical flowers.

The México from yesterday and today, of beautiful songs and dances, born from ruins created between the black braids of the natives, screams, weeping, silence, songs.

Pure expression of our roots, that convert themselves into reality though the sentiment of a great lady . .

Come and enjoy!  Ticket are on sale at 217.206.6160 or online at www.Sangamon Auditorium.org

"Audition" ticket prices start at $19 for adults and $11 for youth. Regular ticket prices start at $32 for adults and $17 for students and children.