BALLET FOLKLORICO FLOR DE MAYO
PRESENTS
Academia de Danza BFFM
Bienvenidos
On behalf of Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo we would like to thank you for your attendance and we hope you enjoy our program. Our show reflects the Love and Passion we share for the art of Traditional Mexican Folklorico dance.
Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo (BFFM) Dance Company was founded in 1994, with a focus on young children. As BFFM grew, its focus shifted to teenagers and young adults creating our professional dance company Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo. Last year our dance company decided to retake that focus and re-open our kids folklorico classes with our Academia de Danza BFFM. This will serve as a stepping stone for those children that would like to join our Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo dance company family in the future.
BFFM’s goal is to educate the community at large, through dance and music, showcasing the richness of Mexican folklor, the traditions, and the culture, as well as world dance. Over the years, the company has developed its own unique style that is reflected in their costumes and choreographies. The directors, choreographers and dancers collaborate to keep the dances as traditional and pure as possible.
April 14th and 15th, 2023
Morgan-Wixson Theatre: 2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Founder
Raquel Ramirez
Artistic Directors:
Alondra Ramirez
Raquel Ramirez
Dance Instructors:
Alondra Ramirez, Ashley Ramirez, Raquel Ramirez, Jasmine Rodriguez
Choreographers:
Alondra Ramirez, Raquel Ramirez
PROGRAM ORDER
SINALOA
The region of ‘La Costa’ includes the area along the western coast of México where the state of Nayarit borders the state of Sinaloa. It is an area of tropical climate and is well known for its beautiful beaches. The music of this region is played by La Banda. Although the music has been modified by Indigenous and African rhythms, the influence of the brass band from Germany is still evident. The lively dance style of ’La Costa’ shows a mixture of indigenous and Spanish footwork, as well as strong influence of Afro-Cuban and Chilean forms. Due to its uniqueness in its musical approach, Sinaloa emerged with a distinctive personality in its style of dance. The traditional dance is characterized by the zapateado with the whole foot, the double step and fast valseados.
Choreographers: Alondra Ramirez, Raquel Ramirez
Music: El Sauce y La Palma, La Costa de Sinaloa, El Toro Mambo, Mazatlan
Dancers: Luis Castellanos, Carlos Chali, Orly Espinoza, Emma Leon-Ferrero, Maya Leon-Ferrero, Saysha Fletes, Sienna Gabriel, Erica Garcia, Camila Ruiz Garcia, Adriana Garzon, Daniella Hernandez, Penelope Jarquin, Isabel Limon, Nancy Luis, Diego Martinez, Lina Martinez, Valentina Morazon, Maritza Olmos, Crystal Olvera, Michael Perez, Ashley Ramirez, Jasmine Rodriguez, Ariana Rocha, Katrina Sanchez, Santiago Torres, Zoe Torres, Yedany Sernas Uribe
CHIAPAS
Chiapas is the home to various indigenous groups, direct descendants of the Mayan civilization that inhabited the area before the Spanish conquest. Chiapas is sub-divided into several regions, each demarked by the most predominant indigenous group. Because of this regional and ethnic division, the state's folklore is extensive and varied. It includes several styles, most of which are reminiscent of ancient Maya rituals that have managed to survive. It is said that the dances of Chiapas can be divided into three groups: those of pre-Hispanic origin, those of the Mestizo origin, and those that are of the colonial era. These dances either include mocking animal moves, sounds or are still extremely religious in their themes.
Many indigenous peoples still preserve the way of life in the old style: dress, food, dance, music, costumes and, of course, language. Traditional clothing is colorful, bright and elegant. In the state capital of Tuxtla you can witness all the variety of costumes that are used throughout the territory.
Choreographer: Raquel Ramirez
Music: El Alcaraban
Dancers: Yago Leon-Ferrero, Lucia Lopez Luis, Valentina Martinez, Edsel Rivera
RECORDING ARTIST
Danny Muñoz
"Hermoso Cariño"
"Te Amare Toda La Vida"
Danny Muñoz is a multi-talented artist hailing from San Miguel El Alto, Jalisco. He is a renowned singer, master of ceremonies, motivational speaker, record producer, and philanthropist. Danny was one of the top three finalists selected to sing for the legendary Mexican singer Jose Jose. He was also chosen by the acclaimed producer Emilio Estefan to participate in the reality show "Nuevas Voces De América," which aired on Telemundo. Danny has released two albums, "Puro Corazón" and "Only You," as well as several singles. In 2012, he started the anti-drug campaign Turn On Music, Turn Off Drugs (TOMTOD), which involves visiting schools to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs among young people.
For a decade, Danny has coordinated "The Gerber Children's Christmas Fiesta," an event where toys are gifted to children in his village. He has also played a key role in organizing the last three Anaheim Mariachi Festivals, which benefit Rhythmo Mariachi Academy. In recognition of his contributions to music, Danny was named Mariachi Music Ambassador in 2018 by Maestro Gabriel B. Zavala. Danny Muñoz had the privilege of working on the book "Mis Magros Versos" during the pandemic, which was posthumously presented in his honor. For several years, Danny Muñoz has been a member of the board of directors of Ballet Folklorico Flor De Mayo. His music is available on Spotify and all digital platforms. www.dannymunoz.com
VERACRUZ
The state of Veracruz is located along the Gulf of Mexico. Its main port city, also called Veracruz, is the historic gateway to Mexico, where European conquistadors like Hernan Cortes and other settlers entered the country. The people of Veracruz are known as Jarochos and their folk dances incorporate intricate and rapid foot work reminiscent of Caribbean dance.
The Son jarocho is a regional folk musical style from Veracruz, that is played along the coastal portions of southern Tamaulipas and Veracruz, hence the term jarocho, a colloquial term for people or things from the port city of Veracruz. The intruments used are: la jarana jarocha, el requinto jarocho, la arba jarocha, la leona, el pandero, la quijada, el guiro, and el cajon
Son Jarocho represents a fusion of indigenous (primarily Huastecan), Spanish, and African musical elements, reflecting the population which evolved in the region from Spanish colonial times. Lyrics include humorous verses and subjects such as love, nature, sailors, and cattle breeding that still reflect life in the colonial and 19th century Mexico. Son Jarocho is often played only on jaranas and sung in a style in which several singers exchange improvised verses called décimas, often with humorous or offensive content.
Choreographers: Alondra Ramirez, Raquel Ramirez
Music: El Tilingo Lingo, El Repique
Dancers: Veronica Alejandro, Luis Catellanos, Sienna Gabriel, Alex Garcia, Isabel Limon, Nancy Luis Maritza Olmos, Crystal Olvera, Michael Perez, Ashley Ramirez, Jasmine Rodriguez, Katrina Sanchez
INTERMISSION
NUEVO LEON
Nuevo Leon is located in Northeastern Mexico, it has a 9 mile stretch of the U.S.–Mexico border adjacent to the U.S. state of Texas.
Nuevo Leon shares most of its music, dance, and other cultural expressions with the rest of the northern states of Mexico. The music from Nuevo Leon is played by a conjunto norteño. The word conjunto means “combination” and the band is a Mexican folk ensemble reflecting its German roots. It has a 12-string guitar-like bajo sexton: double bass and drums; and the most distinctive norteño instrument, the German button accordion. Regiomontanos (people from Nuevo Leon) adopted and modified European forms.
Choreographer: Alondra Ramirez, Raquel Ramirez
Music: Evangelina, Flor, Cascada
Dancers: Yago Leon-Ferrero, Edsel Emilio Rivera, Ayla Garcia, Olivia Rodriguez, Mia- Bella Mabella Penelope I Martinez, Valentina G Martinez, Lucia Lopez Luis, Penelope Jarquin, Orly Espinoza, Maya Leon-Ferrero, Zoe Torres, Camila Ruiz Garcia, Valentina Morazon, Daniella Hernandez, Santiago Torres, Diego Martinez, Carlos Chali
RECORDING ARTIST
Danny Muñoz
"Volver Volver"
"De Un Rancho A Otro"
JALISCO
Jalisco is located in the west central part of México and is the sixth largest of Mexico’s thirty-two states. The most popular and easily recognized music of México is the Mariachi music from this state. The songs are usually a medley of tunes and speak of machismo, love, betrayal, death, politics, revolutionary heroes, and animals. The spirit of the “Tapatios”, people from Guadalajara the capital of Jalisco, is vividly expressed through their movements and most of all their music. Most of the footwork is performed in quick rhythmic patterns called Zapateados. The women are well known for their “faldeo” the manipulation of the skirt.
Choreographers: Alondra Ramirez, Raquel Ramirez
Music: El Son de La Negra, El Jarabe Tapatio, Los Machetes, Las Alazanas
RECORDING ARTIST
Danny Muñoz
"Se Me Olvido Otra vez"
Dancers: Yago Leon-Ferrero, Edsel Emilio Rivera, Ayla Garcia, Olivia Rodriguez, Mia- Bella Mabella Penelope I Martinez, Valentina G Martinez, Lucia Lopez Luis, Luis Castellanos, Carlos Chali, Orly Espinoza, Emma Leon-Ferrero, Maya Leon-Ferrero, Saysha Fletes, Sienna Gabriel, Alex Garcia, Erica Garcia, Camila Ruiz Garcia, Adriana Garzon, Daniella Hernandez, Penelope Jarquin, Isabel Limon, Nancy Luis, Diego Martinez, Lina Martinez, Valentina Morazon, Maritza Olmos, Crystal Olvera, Michael Perez, Ashley Ramirez, Jasmine Rodriguez, Ariana Rocha, Katrina Sanchez, Santiago Torres, Zoe Torres, Yedany Sernas Uribe
