Ballet Folklórico de México to appear in Detroit, Toledo

One of México’s largest and most revered treasures—Ballet Folklórico de México—makes its Detroit debut on the Detroit Opera House’s extensive stage on Mexican Independence Day weekend (Sept. 16). Exemplifying the fiery passion and ethereal grace of old México, Ballet Folklórico de México visits the Detroit Opera House for a limited two-performance dance engagement Sept. 15, 2007, at 8:00 p.m., and Sept. 16 at 2:00 p.m. 

Sixty-five dancers and musicians will present a cultural celebration that extols colorful ethnic traditions from pre-Latino to modern times.  Dancers will perform against backdrops that feature scenes such as a Mexican plaza, a lush tropical setting or an Aztec sun as they stomp, twirl and leap across the stage.

Adding to the Mexican Independence Day festivities, mariachi bands will entertain guests before each performance and patrons will enjoy authentic Mexican food and beverages in the Cadillac Café of the Detroit Opera House.

Ballet Folklórico de México was founded in 1952 by Sra. Amalia Hernández, using her own experience as a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer at the Mexican Academy of Dance.  With only eight members, the small company, called Moderno de México, began presenting choreographies on a television program called “Función de Gala.”  The small company aired over 60 programs and attracted the attention of the Mexican Department of Tourism, which asked its director to take her program on a North American tour under official auspices. 

Accolades on North American stages launched the folk dance company on the road to international acclaim.  Today, with a company of over 65 dancers and over 100 international tours and 15,000 presentations to their credit, the Ballet Folklórico de México has performed for audiences of over 22 million people. 

In their 55-year history, more than 100 choreographies have been created by Sra. Amalia Hernandez for Ballet Folklórico as they preserve the dance traditions of Mexico while enthralling audiences all over the world.

Dance/baile class and Mexicantown Plaza
 

Anyone interested in Mexican folk dance is invited to participate in a dance/baile class led by members of Ballet Folklórico on Saturday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m.  Tuition for the master class is $15 and will be held at the Detroit Opera House’s Ford Center for Arts and Learning at the 5^th floor dance studio.  For more information on the Ballet Folklórico master class or to register, contact Kamilah Levens at (313) 237-3251.
 

In cooperation with the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation, dancers from Ballet Folklórico will visit the new Mexicantown Plaza (located at 2826 Bagley Avenue at 21^st Street) on Friday, September 14 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to meet and greet visitors and residents of the Mexicantown area.  Visitors will enjoy Mexican Independence Day celebrations with Ballet Folklórico, as well as special ticket discounts to attend the performances, only available at this pre-performance celebration.  For more information about the Mexicantown Meet and Greet, please visit www.mexicantown.org.

Tickets for Ballet Folklórico de México at the Detroit Opera House, September 15, 16 range from $28-$75, and are available in at the Detroit Opera House ticket office (1526 Broadway, Detroit, 48826), by phone at (313) 237-SING (7464) or online at www.MichiganOpera.org.  Tickets are also available at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (248) 645-6666 or online at www.TicketMaster.com. 

Toledo sojourn

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, 8:00PM, Ballet Folklórico will travel to Toledo to perform at the Valentine Theatre, with ticket information at www.valentinetheatre.com or 419-242-3490.