We had a presentation at Lincoln Elementary School last Monday and Tuesday. The children danced their entire program (about 45 minutes) for their peers. It was a lot of work for everyone, but everything was great. Some of the children from the school questioned how to join the ballet, but we cannot accept new members until January 2010.
Our next presentation will be December 12 at Holy Cross at 1 p.m. to celebrate la Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Working with the Heart
I worked teaching Mexican dance to kids for a long time, but right now is different for me.
My labor with the children is different because they do not know the Mexican music and dance, most of them never went to Mexico and only speak Spanish in their homes.
Most of the families do not have a lot of money to pay for activities or extra classes for the kids, and the group is a good option for the families because the charge for the class for the month is very inexpensive - $10 per family.
I am working with children with disabilities (my daughter), and kids with behavior problems; that is not easy for me, sometimes I feel sad, or frustrated, but when I come to practice and see everyone dancing and smiling, my heart says to me "This is a great job."
~Rosa Villa, Director
My labor with the children is different because they do not know the Mexican music and dance, most of them never went to Mexico and only speak Spanish in their homes.
Most of the families do not have a lot of money to pay for activities or extra classes for the kids, and the group is a good option for the families because the charge for the class for the month is very inexpensive - $10 per family.
I am working with children with disabilities (my daughter), and kids with behavior problems; that is not easy for me, sometimes I feel sad, or frustrated, but when I come to practice and see everyone dancing and smiling, my heart says to me "This is a great job."
~Rosa Villa, Director
My Surprise
My name is Maria. I'm going to the folkloric ballet. The reason I go is because a person invited me to come to the group. The other reason is because I have a little girl. She is very shy. I thought that it could be good for her to be together with other children and learn traditional dances and to share games. Also, she was going to start preschool and I didn't want for her to be afraid of the teacher or to go to the bus crying. These were my reasons for joining.
And right now, I don't regret coming to the group to dance because everything was a surprise for both of us. My daughter lost her shyness very fast with the other children and she started school and goes happily to school and continues to work with the folkloric ballet. Thanks to the people that invited me to come to the folkloric ballet.
~Maria Camarillo, mother and folkloric ballet volunteer
And right now, I don't regret coming to the group to dance because everything was a surprise for both of us. My daughter lost her shyness very fast with the other children and she started school and goes happily to school and continues to work with the folkloric ballet. Thanks to the people that invited me to come to the folkloric ballet.
~Maria Camarillo, mother and folkloric ballet volunteer
Recent Notices
We are informing everybody that the folkloric ballet organized a fundraiser to buy costumes for the children.
And in the beginning of September more children joined , so the group grows and continues working ardently.
We are very grateful for all the support from the businesses and organizations in the community of Mendota, specifically:
* Parents of the dancers
*Migrant Education Even Start
*Youth Services Bureau
*Holy Cross Catholic Church
*First United Methodist Church
*Main Street Mendota
*Whistle Stop Restaurant
*La Central Grocery
*El Zarape Restaurant
Hope to see everyone soon!
~Susana Correa, Assistant Director
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Back Home with Pride
It's been a busy summer for the Migrant Children's Folkloric Ballet. They've danced across La Salle County for various events in June and July. In July, they went across the state to Kankakee to dance at a Statewide Migrant Parent Workshop, where they were received with great enthusiasm.
Tonight, they will proudly perform in front of the Whistle Stop Restaurant in Downtown Mendota to help kick off the the annual Mendota Sweet Corn Fest. They will perform there again on Saturday. On Sunday they will dance during the parade beginning at 1:00 pm. They have decorated a float for the event as well.
Each performance will include traditional dances from Jalisco, the northern desert states (polkas), and Chiapas.
Not only has the group been busy travelling, performing, and rehearsing; but they are currently learning more dances. The new dances come from the Pacific state of Nayarit, the home state of our director Rosa Villa. Can't wait to see them!
Tonight, they will proudly perform in front of the Whistle Stop Restaurant in Downtown Mendota to help kick off the the annual Mendota Sweet Corn Fest. They will perform there again on Saturday. On Sunday they will dance during the parade beginning at 1:00 pm. They have decorated a float for the event as well.
Each performance will include traditional dances from Jalisco, the northern desert states (polkas), and Chiapas.
Not only has the group been busy travelling, performing, and rehearsing; but they are currently learning more dances. The new dances come from the Pacific state of Nayarit, the home state of our director Rosa Villa. Can't wait to see them!
Featured Dancer
Congratulations to Flor Salinas (pictured here in the striped shirt with her friend and fellow dancer Ashley) for her exemplary behavior! She is our first featured dancer.
Flor writes:
My name is Flor. I'm 11 years old. I'm going to be in 6th grade. I like dancing in the folkloric ballet because I'm learning traditional dances. My favorite dance is Jarabe Tapatio. It's a traditional dance I like because it's from the same place as my mom.
My favorite subject is math. I have 2 sisiters and 1 brother. They are all in the folkloric ballet. My parents thing it's a good thing I'm dancing. They're also proud of me being the best I can be.
Thanks Flor, and way to go! Keep up the great work!
Flor writes:
My name is Flor. I'm 11 years old. I'm going to be in 6th grade. I like dancing in the folkloric ballet because I'm learning traditional dances. My favorite dance is Jarabe Tapatio. It's a traditional dance I like because it's from the same place as my mom.
My favorite subject is math. I have 2 sisiters and 1 brother. They are all in the folkloric ballet. My parents thing it's a good thing I'm dancing. They're also proud of me being the best I can be.
Thanks Flor, and way to go! Keep up the great work!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Pictures from Lion Club Festival in Earlville 6/27/09
The top pictures feature the little ladies dancing in the style of the state of Chiapas, a tropical state in Mexico's south. The pictures below that show the older children dressed in their polka costumes. The costumes and music are characteristic of the Northern desert region.
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