TAMIU Hosts 'Folklórico Festival,' Presents Mexican Folkloric Dancers from Texas

For the first time this year, Texas A&M International University will host a "Folklórico Festival," which will feature dance presentations by Mexican folkloric dances groups from numerous cities in Texas Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Gabriela Mendoza-García, Festival organizer and director of the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, said performers will include groups from Laredo, Austin, Zapata, Weslaco, Corpus Christi and Kingsville. Along with their own repertoire, the groups will also feature dance steps they learned from master folkloric dance teacher Pedro Serna, of Zacatecas, Mexico.

Tickets are $7 at the door.

Mendoza-García explained that the audience can expect to enjoy authentic and colorful dances from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Veracruz, Chiapas, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Jalisco.

"Prior to the concert, performers would have received an eight-hour workshop from master Pedro Serna, so audience members will be able to see the energy of the workshop flow onto the stage that day," Mendoza-García said.

By attending, concertgoers will also be contributing to a good cause, Mendoza-García said.

"For the past five years, the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, in conjunction with the City of Laredo and the Texas Commission of the Arts, has been hosting the Pedro Serna master workshop for dance teachers and students of the Laredo and surrounding communities," Mendoza-García said, "Every group participating receives dance instruction free of charge.

In an effort to keep the Master Folkloric Workshop free to all participants, the Folklórico Festival has been created."

All proceeds from the Festival will be used to cover the cost of costume supplies, travel and workshop costs incurred by the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, Mendoza-García explained.

This year's featured performers include Alcorta's Corpus Christi Folklórico, Antonio González Middle School Ballet Folklórico, Danzantes del Valle (Weslaco Independent School District), El Grupo de Danza y Arte Folklórico de la Universidad de Tejas en Austin (University of Texas at Austin Ballet Folklórico), Kazen Elementary Ballet Folklórico, Zaffirini Elementary Ballet Folklórico, Laredo Community College Ballet Folklórico, L.J. Christen Ballet Folklórico, TAMIU Ballet Folklórico Juvenil, TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, Vidal M. Treviño Magnet School Ballet Folklórico, Memorial High School Ballet Folklórico (Victoria, Texas), Zapata High School Ballet Folklórico, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Ballet Folklórico.

For further information, please contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 326-2654, e-mail gabym@tamiu.edu 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-Friday.