Traditional Mexican dance comes to campus

When you hear the words Ballet Folklorico, your mind might very well be assaulted by visions of sugarplum-ballerinas in sombreros. Toss out those misconceptions and prepare yourself for a pleasant surprise. Princeton's Ballet Folklorico is debuting its first on-campus, full-length show on Saturday in the Frist Theater at 8 p.m.

"De Punta y Tacon" (roughly translated as "Point and Heel") is a dynamic fusion of syncopated rhythms, fancy footwork, kaleidoscopic color and the occasional flying machete. It's an energetic melding of Stomp and Riverdance with a unique Mexican flair.

Folklorico dance is native to Mexico and is a treasured feature of Hispanic culture. "If Hispanic children have exposure to the culture at all, they have probably seen folklorico dancing," said Kathleen Molnar '04, the group's treasurer.

The dance form originated centuries ago and is based on a simple and age-old premise: young love and the thrill of the chase.

"The men have to be very masculine and make the majority of the sound," Molnar explained. "Girls dance on their toes a lot more and have head and hip movements to emphasize that they are female."

Though folklorico is taught and performed throughout Mexico, the dances vary from state to state. Each area of Mexico manifests its unique character and cultural traditions in its selection of music, costumes, footwork and dance patterns. While specific elements vary, folklorico is a traditional art form with established steps.

"Although we can tweak and change choreography when needed, the thing about folklorico is that you can't just make up new dances," said Melissa Bermudez '03, the group's president.

Founded in 1991, Ballet Folklorico is Princeton's only dance company devoted to the preservation and performance of traditional Mexican dance.

The company currently performs dances from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Veracruz but is attempting to broaden its repertoire through weekly rehearsals with professional folklorico instructor, Lucy Sandoval de Caceres.

"Our goal is to learn as many dances as possible and to expand our knowledge of dances from states like Chihuahua and Chiapas," Bermudez said.

To this end, Sandoval makes weekend commutes to Princeton to teach the group new and old dances. This petite and unassuming woman runs her rehearsals like boot camp, ordering her dancers to "look" and "listen."

Because of the nature of folklorico dance, movements are learned through mimicry, and there is absolutely no room for the weak-legged or headache-prone.

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Like Energizer bunnies in very loud shoes, the dancers regularly repeat steps over and over and over again. When they fail to absorb the combinations through observation and imitation, Sandoval resorts to pounding the beats into their heads with the "points and heels" of her shoes.

The group is composed of nine members, ranging from freshmen to graduate students, and no audition or dance experience is necessary for membership.

"We are trying to educate a culture as well as dance, and if you are not from the culture we don't want to shut that out," Molnar explained.

As a result of the group's policy of openness, over half of the company had never danced folklorico prior to Princeton. Yet it's not obvious when watching them perform, as they demonstrate a technical prowess and comfort that suggest years of experience.

Although Ballet Folklorico has been a part of the Princeton arts scene for over 10 years, "De Punta y Tacon" is their first full-length production in a campus venue.

"We perform off-campus a lot — in churches, schools and local events — and our hope is to increase the cultural richness of the university and town communities," Bermudez said, adding that the group recently returned from Providence and Trenton, performing at two events hosted by Sovereign Bank.

The quality of this show is sure to surprise audiences. Set to the traditional twangs of mariachi music, the dancers of Ballet Folklorico move in crisp and confident precision. The show includes a slew of dances that accentuate the group's rhythmic abilities and artistry.

"Caballito" or "little horse," is performed by several members of the company and is a prime example of the group's proficiency at synchronized movement. Another dance "Gavilau" is set for a pair and though the dancers could afford to be a bit more flirtatious, their energy and precision is impressive.

The 90-minute show will also feature a special performance by professional folklorico dancers from New York City. It is an evening that shouldn't be missed by those in the Princeton community who love dance, Mexican culture or grand visual displays. Tickets are $4 and can be purchased through the Frist Box Office.