TAMIU Folklórico Workshop to Teach Dances from Numerous Regions in Mexico

Dancers interested in learning new Mexican folkloric dance steps will have a chance to pull out their dance shoes and practice at a ballet folklórico workshop scheduled to take place at Texas A&M International University in January.

The 5th Ballet Folklórico Workshop featuring maestro Pedro Serna from Zacatecas, Mexico, will be held Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. both days at the Kinesiology/Convocation Building, room 204, and is open for dancers ages 13 and older.

Gaby Mendoza-García, director of the TAMIU Ballet Foklórico, said the workshop will teach students folkloric dances from different regions from Mexico. Those interested in participating may contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts by calling 326-2654.

Tuition for the workshop is $25 per person but fees will not be assessed to students who agree to perform at the Ballet Folklórico Festival, scheduled for Jan. 31 at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

This year's Workshop and Festival participants so far include the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico Juvenil, Kazen Elementary Ballet Folklórico, Antonio González Middle School Ballet Folklórico, Danzantes del Valle (Weslaco Independent School district), Zaffirini Elementary Ballet Folklórico, Alcortas Corpus Christi Folklórico, LCC Ballet Folklórico, LJ Christen Ballet Folklórico, Danzantes de la Isla Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, University of Texas Ballet Folklórico, and the Vidal M. Treviño Magnet School Ballet Folklórico.

The Ballet Folklórico Festival, which will showcase skills dancers have learned at the Pedro Serna workshop, is open to the public and tickets are $5 pre-sale and $7 at the door. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.

For further information, please contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 326-2654 or visit offices located in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, room 217B.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. University offices will be closed for the holidays starting Thursday, Dec. 23. University offices will resume regular working hours Monday, Jan. 5 at 8 a.m.