Calidanza Dance Company presents Mi Mexico

PROGRAM
Calidanza Dance Company presents Mi Mexico
Saturday, September 13, 2014; 7:30 pm
Founded in 2013 by Executive/Artistic Director Steven Valencia (former Artistic
Director of Compañía Mazatlan Bellas Artes 1998-2012), this professional company
represents a new and innovative way to look at traditional Mexican folk and
contemporary dance. The company fuses contemporary technique with traditional
folk dance to tell compelling stories of the rich cultural traditions of Mexico. The
choreographies unearth many unknown stories in Mexico often overlooked –
the African presence in Mexico, Day of the Dead celebrations, from elaborate
ceremonial danzas to festive town celebrations honoring patron saints, to harvests
commemorations and other regional celebrations. Our goal is to honor the diversity
of Mexico and pay homage to the uniqueness of its culture and people.
PROGRAM
DANZA DE LOS CONCHEROS
Choreographed by Tony D Marco
Originally from the state of Mexico. This dance is a reminiscence of the past that is
still danced today. Ritual dances and adorned dances to the gods unite the cultures.
“Danza de los Concheros” is a reenactment of our pre-Hispanic past, originally from
the Aztec tribe.The Aztecs danced for most any occasion: for the harvest, for rain,
during ceremonies.
With the arrival of the Spanish, many of the indigenous dances were outlawed as
Christianity was introduced. Many of the symbols in the dances represent Catholic
rituals, but most all of them have a pre-Hispanic double meaning – this is how many
indigenous cultures maintained their faith.
SONES ANTIGUOS DE MICHOACÁN Y LOS VIEJITOS
Choreographer: Steven Valencia (Sones y Jarabes) – Amalia Hernández
“Sones Antiguos de Michoacán,” created by Amalia Hernández of the Ballet
Folklorico de México, is an award winning choreography based on the traditional
music of the p’urhepecha region of Michoacán. It is said to have been inspired
by children playing in the park – the sonajas represent the rattles kids use while
playing and the jarabes represent kids running and joyfully playing in the park.
“Danza de los Viejitos,” derived from the native worship of el dios viejito, is an
indigenous danza that pay homage to the agility of the elders.
Primera Sonaja — Tercer Sonaja — Primer Jarabe — Tercera Jarabe —
Danza de los Viejitos
MUNDO NEGRA EN VERACRUZ
Choreographer: Steven Valencia
After the Spanish conquest in Mexico, the Spanish continued their slave trade in the
new world. Africans mostly from Conga and Angola were brought to Mexico via the
slave trade. The African people brought much of their culture with them including
their dances and music. Much of the culture of Veracruz is based on a combination
of African, Spanish and indigenous cultures. “La Bamba” for example, traces its
roots back 300 years. Although there is no English translation, it is most likely
derived from the Spanish verb “bambolear” meaning to stop or shake.
Afro Jarocho — Repique — Beautiful Maria — Danzon — Coco — La Bamba
INTERMISSION
Calidanza Dance Company presents Mi Mexico
continued
CARNAVAL EN SINALOA
Choreographer: Steven Valencia
Sinaloa is located in the northern part of Mexico, where dance
traditions represent the beauty and elegance of the women of
Sinaloa. The movements of the men in these dances are influenced by the dance movements and traditions of the Pascolas (a
host, a community speaker), derived from the ethnic group, Los
Mayos. The Carnaval in Mazatlan, Sinaloa is one of the largest in
Mexico; its root can be traced back to the religious celebration of
Lent as people would converge to have large feasts--- in order
to dispose of food they would be giving up for Lent.
Vuela Paloma — Los Vergelitos — Toro Mambo — Sinaloense
NOCHE DE MUERTOS
Choreographer: Steven Valencia/Jesús Cortes (Mictlan)
Mictlan (Mictlantecuhtli and Michlancihuatl (Gods of the
Underworld) demonstrate the process one may go through
in reaching Mictlan (the Aztec Underworld). Only after death
in battle will one pass directly to Mictlan.
La Catrina: Famous Mexican printmaker and lithographer,
satirist Jose Guadalupe Posada’s representation of La
Catrina is explored. Originally created to mock the elite class
in President Porfirio Diaz’s regime during the Revolution.
Tzintzuntzan: de los Muertos as celebrated today in
Michoacán. This piece will introduce the altar, flor de muerto
and other ritualistic elements of the Day of the Dead using
traditional costumes, music and props. DANZA DEL VENADO
Choreographer: Amalia Hernández,
restaged by Maestro Carlos Antunes
The struggle between the hunter and the hunted, this dance
represents the deer’s senses as he is being hunted. This dance
is from the Yaqui Indians of Sonora and represents their sacred
relationship with nature. This choreography was recreated by
Amalia Hernández of the Ballet Folklórico de México.
JALISCO NO TE RAJES!
Choreographer- Steven Valencia
Jalisco has been the region that has most influenced the
development and evolution of folklorico today. The mariachi
has made the music of Mexico known throughout the world
and has become known as Mexico’s national music. The
mariachi’s repertoire consists of “sones,” but their skills also
allow them to play anything from waltzes to romantic songs.
El Gusto — Son de Burro — Son de la Negra — El Viajero
Calidanza Dance Company would like to thank the following
sponsors: California Arts Council, Sacramento Metropolitan
Arts Commission (SMAC), and Mayahuel Restaurant. We
would also like to thank Sacramento’s “Any Given Child”
Project, Twin Rivers School District, the City of Sacramento
and the Harris Center for Arts for continued partnerships.
A tremendous thank you to our dancers for your hard
work and dedication, choreographers for your visions and
Maestro Tony for all your patience!
Giana Anderson
Moises Arias
Mareena Avila
Zulema Balderas
Nubia Beltrán
Myda Castillo-García
Duke Cooney
Eric Diaz
Tomasa Dueñas
Pia Estrada
Christian Flores
Sara Garrision
Jeremy Garrett
Carlos Gonzalez
Cesar Gonzalez
Marissa Gray
Issolette Gunter
Sophia Gunter
Alejandro Hernández
Monica Hoyos
Francisco Venegas-Valencia
Steven Valencia
Raymond Zamarripa
Calidanza Dance Company
(916) 599-9820
Calidanzaco@gmail.com
www.calidanza.org
Publicist: Mindy Giles
(916) 447-6508
mingiles@gmail.com
Booking Agency: Katherine Miller, Kamstar Artist Management
(415) 776-5522 www.kamstar.com