The Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre at Cal Poly Humboldt presents the 2nd annual “Fiesta Folklórica,” a celebration of the diverse cultures, music, and dances of Mexico. Join us March 1, 2 and 3 at the Gist Hall Theatre at Cal Poly Humboldt for performances by Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt, Mariachi de Humboldt, and Danza Azteca de Humboldt directed by Linda Maxwell and Jacqueline Silva. Tickets are $10 General, $5 Children & Seniors, and $FREE for Cal Poly Humboldt students with ID. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at centerarts.humboldt.edu. From the "All Events" drop down menu select "Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre" and select your event.

Featuring 25 student dancers and ten members of Mariachi de Humboldt, “Fiesta Folklórica” weaves together the sights and sounds of Mexico’s diverse cultural dances, ancient traditions, and Mariachis.

The concert opens with a sampling of the elements of a Danza Azteca Ceremony, invoking sights and sounds of ancient Tenochtitlan with colorful regalia and stirring music. Students can learn about the present-day tradition of Danza Azteca and some of its history in the class taught by Elizabeth Rivera and assisted by Naeem Alston.

Throughout the performance, Smooth trumpet and violin melodies, infectious guitarrón, vihuela and guitar rhythms, and heart-filled vocal melodies will be shared by members of Mariachi de Humboldt, as they present well-loved rancheras, son huastecas, cumbias, and traditional mariachi marches. Mariachi de Humboldt is a performance ensemble open to students and community members, directed by Cal Poly Humboldt guitar instructor Jennifer Trowbridge.

Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt will present dances from four Mexican states—Nayarit, Yucatán, Sinaloa, and Jalisco. Each state features it’s own unique vestario (clothing worn while dancing) and dances.

During Fiesta de Nayarit, in the state of Nayarit, the everyday themes of working, courting, and drinking are reflected in the lively movement of the brightly colored, swirling skirts and the clashing of the machetes. The dancers are inspired to shout symbolic “gritos”, or cries of joy, which blend with the spirited music of the mariachi characteristic of central Mexico. Students will perform the dances San Pedreño (San Pedro), El Buey (The Ox), El Son Del Coamecate, and Los Bules (The Bull). Choreography by Emeritus Jeff O’Connor Original Choreography by Ramón Morones. Presented to Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt by Dr. Susan Cashion

The word "Sinaloa" is from the indigenous peoples of the region, and means pitaya, a common local fruit, traditionally grown in this state. The dances and vestario from Sinaloa were created at the request of the Mexican Government in 1959. When the government made a call for designs, they chose Sinaloa dance teacher Rosa Andrade’s design. The dresses feature off-the-shoulder necklines made of flower-patterned cotton with lace, ruffles and ribbons. The long skirt has sections of flower and solid-colored cotton lined with lace and ribbons. Historically, the flower-patterned sections featured popular products from Sinaloa. The footwork is strong, to work with the traditional Sinaloa music which includes brass, woodwinds and percussion instruments.

The Yucatán peninsula juts off the southern part of Mexico into the Gulf of Mexico. Its geographical location made it one of the ports of entry for Spanish ships and thus the dances acculturated some of the Spanish movement Characteristics: the raised arms with fingers snapping to simulate castanets, the lifted body carriage and the great use of the “zapateado”. The jarana allows for individual virtuosity; dancers will balance glasses of water on their heads while dancing on a small “tarima”. Dances from Yucatán include Mi Yucateca, Las Canastas de Halachó, Las Cintas, Las Mujeres Que Se Pintan, and El Chinito Koy Koy. Choregraphy by Emeritus Faculty Jeff O’Connor and Jacqueline Silva

The state of Jalisco is the home of the songs and dances of Guadalajara, a city well known for its beautiful people, Mariachis, and elaborate fiestas. Only when you see a young couple proudly attired in their colorful trajes and dancing to the traditional folk music can you fully understand the joy, grace, and beauty that are the hallmark of this culture. The lyrics and the movements of the songs and dances depict country life in general, and often use imagery of the courtships of the animals as a metaphor for the relationships of the people. The themes are of love, humor, and tragedy, and thus tell the story of a colonized people who nevertheless thrive and contribute immeasurably to life as we know it in the Americas. This group of dances are among the most popular of the repertoire of Jalisco. The climax of these is Jarabe Tapatío, the Mexican National Dance. Other dances include Charreada and El Cihualteco. Choreography by Jacqueline Silva.

The 2nd annual “Fiesta Folklórica” Concert is funded in part by a grant from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Cal Poly Humboldt. The grant funded the visit of master artists giving master classes: Horacio Heredia—Folklorico dance (Sinaloa), Ramon Ramirez, Bertha Winddancer, and Milagros Alston—Danza Azteca workshop and Dr. Jessie Vallejo—Mariachi workshop.