Ballet Folklorico Aztlan

Ballet Folklorico Atzlan
Motto Preserve, Promote, Create and Educate about Indigenous Dance and Culture, to Develop the Mind, Body and Spirit.
Formation 1967
Legal status 501(c)3 public benefit organization
Location
  • 207 Ritchey St. San Diego, CA 92114
Region served
San Diego, California
Viviana Enrique Acosta, Nancy Rodriguez, MP Schildmeyer, Spotted Eagle, Rebeca Lopez
Website Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan

Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan (BFA) is a Chicano dance company focusing on Mexican folklore, and blending traditional dance with contemporary movements.[1] The group was founded in 1967 by Hermina Enrique.[2] Currently, her daughter, Viviana Enrique Acosta, is the Artistic Director. The members of BFA were instrumental in founding the Centro Cultural de la Raza which was the first home of the BFA.[3]

The name of Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan references the Chicano concept of "Aztlán" which refers to the American Southwest.[4] The dance group's performances, relating to Mexican and indigenous dance and culture are meant to preserve the historical tradition of the peoples of Aztlan.[4][5] Ballet Folklorico refers to traditional dance in Mexico and was popularized in the 1960s.[6]

History

Prior to moving to San Diego in 1967, Enrique had lived in San Antonio, and expected to find services for folklorico dancing in the city.[2] She was surprised to find none and created her own classes at the Mexican American Advisory Committee (MAAC) Center at National City.[2] Her sons and daughters helped teach classes with her.[2] These classes grew in popularity and led to the creation of BFA.[2]

The BFA first became involved with members who later formed the Centro Cultural de la Raza in 1969.[2] Salvador Torres, an artist, had been given the old Ford Building in Balboa Park as studio space for a six-month period.[2] During this time, he found out that Enrique was having trouble finding places for the dance group to practice; he offered some of his studio space to them.[2] Later, BFA would be involved in helping to found "Toltecas en Aztlan," which later created the Centro.[2]

Through the 1970s and 1980s, classes were taught at the Centro by Isabel, Teresa, Veronica and Viviana Enrique (later Viviana Enrique Acosta), along with other teachers.[2]

Today

BFA offers dance classes for children and adults at Muevete Dance Studio in Lemon Grove, California.[7]

Director of BFA, Acosta, has been inducted to San Diego Women's Hall of Fame as a Historian and for her work with BFA.[8]

Quotes

"From our great and historical past, we have inherited a many-faceted and diversified background, with many cultures blending into a dazzling mosaic which is always changing and adjusting to present day contributions, but is always true to our ancestral roots."[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan". Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Brookman, Philip (1986). "El Centro Cultural de la Raza: Fifteen Years". In Brookman, Philip; Gómez-Peña, Guillermo. Made In Aztlan. San Diego, California: Centro Cultural de la Raza. pp. 12–53. ISBN 0938461001.
  3. ↑ Candelaria, Cordelia C.; Aldama, Arturo J.; Garcia, Peter J., eds. (30 October 2004). Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture, Volume 1. Greenwood. p. 209. ISBN 978-0313332104.
  4. 1 2 Slatta, Richard W. (20 November 2001). The Mythical West: An Encyclopedia of Legend, Lore and Popular Culture. ABC-CLIO. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-1576071519. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  5. ↑ Tatum, Charles M., ed. (November 2013). Encyclopedia of Latino Culture: From Calaveras to Quinceaneras. Greenwood. p. 762. ISBN 9781440800993. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "Ballet Folklorico - The Dances of Mexico". Chamizal National Memorial. National Park Service. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Muevete Dance Studio". Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "10 QUESTIONS: Natasha Josefowitz enters San Diego Women's Hall of Fame". La Jolla Light. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
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