You may be able to imagine yourself in Chihuahua, Guerrero, Baja California and Michoacán, Mexico when Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz performs each region’s signature dancing style Sunday at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.
“They’re recreating fiestas from those regions and the kind of typical dances that you might see at these celebrations,” said Steve Heath, who has represented and booked Ballet Folklorico for 28 years. “The movement and the music is all unique to that area.”
The entire second half of the performance is dedicated to Veracruz, where the group makes its home, and the different fiestas in the state. A celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a dance you would see on Dec. 12, will take place, as well as the Fiesta de Veracruz.
“The most famous dance is La Bamba, but it’s a folk song originally, and it’s a dance,” Heath said. “They have a long ribbon they lay out on stage, and they attempt to tie the ribbon into a nice bow. The only trick is, you can only use your feet.”
The Mexican folk song, “La Bamba,” was made famous by the 1958 adaptation of Ritchie Valens, which was a top 40 hit on the U.S. charts.
Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz was brought to Beasley by the University of Idaho Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association. They will be performing an educational program the next day, where hundreds of elementary school students will be bused to Beasley.
“Come out and get a chance to get to know this culture and the beautiful art form that it is,” Heath said. “One of the most common reactions we get from folks in the audience is that the performers look like they’re having as much fun as we are. What they do is infectious.”
Treffry can be contacted at (208) 883-4640 or ltreffry@inland360.com. Follow her on Twitter @LindseyTreffry.
-> if you go: WHAT: Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz performs WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Beasley Coliseum, Washington State University, Pullman COST: Adults are $26, university students are $20, youth under 16 are $16 and the first seven rows are $30. Tickets can be purchased at all TicketsWest outlets by calling (800) 325-7328, or through Festival Dance at (208) 883-3267 or www.festivaldance.org. Tickets will be sold at the door.
