Festival Folklórico at TAMIU Friday, Saturday

This weekend, enjoy an opportunity to see authentic ballet folkórico dancers  as Texas A&M International University presents the Seventh Annual Texas TAMIU Festival Folklórico at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall, Jan. 27 and 28.

Nineteen ballet folkórico groups from all over Texas will perform Mexican folk dances on Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday's performance features the professional folklórico group, Ballet Folklórico Ixtlahuani from Paraiso, Tabasco, México, also at 7 p.m.

Pre-sale tickets for each night are $5 and $10 at the door. Tickets are available at the Student Center Information Desk Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"For the past seven years, the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico in conjunction with the City of Laredo and the Texas Commission of the Arts has been hosting a master folklórico workshop for the dance teachers and students of the Laredo and surrounding communities. In exchange for participation in the workshop, the folklórico groups from all over Texas will perform for the public on Friday, Jan. 27 to help defray cost of the workshop. All monies raised will be used toward costume supplies, travel and the workshop costs," said Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia, founder and director of the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico.

"For the first time a professional folklórico group from México has been invited to perform at TAMIU. This was made possible by the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the Sister Cities Festival. This is a must-see show," exclaimed Mendoza-Garcia.

Ballet Folklórico Ixtlahuani will perform Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. They are under the direction of Maestro Celso Fernando Cauich May. The show will feature the Mexican states of Tabasco, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Hidalgo and others.

For more information, please contact Mendoza-Garcia at 956.326.2654, e-mail gabym@tamiu.edu or visit offices located at CFPA 217B.

University office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu