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Behold the beauty

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Like the magnificent, colorful quetzal bird for which it is named, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli at California State University Bakersfield’s Doré Theatre April 15 and 16 promises to be a visual fiesta for the eyes.

“Prepare to be awed,” said Felisa Patiño-Guadarrama of the world-renowned professional Mexican folk dance company, whose performance will feature rapid zapateado (footwork), courtship dances, cowboy waltzes, clanging knives, tapping heels, stomping feet, dazzling costumes and insistent rhythms.

Patiño-Guadarrama, who coordinates the Liberty High School Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A.) Club, said audiences should put aside their preconceptions of Mexican dance.

“It’s more than hat dances and girls with ruffled dresses,” she said.

The M.E.Ch.A. club has joined with Cal State Bakersfield Ballet Folklorico Mexica in bringing Quetzalli to Bakersfield once again (they performed at the Liberty High School Performing Arts Center in 2006).

“This is the type of show that you want to keep going on and on,” said Rey Cuesta, director of Folklorico Mexica. “You’ll leave with a smile and dancing. It will rejuvenate you.”

Founded by Hugo Betancourt in 1985 in Veracruz, Mexico, the group has 40 dancers and 15 musicians and showcases the culture and folklore of Old Mexico with live music and dance. The company has been the official representatives for Secretary of Tourism and Economic Development for the State of Veracruz since 1986, having given hundreds of performances across Mexico and the United States, South America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.

“Music has been part of my life since I was 6 years old,” said Betancourt in a phone interview with MÁS.

Born in the region of Veracruz known as La Huasteca, Betancourt’s uncle, Humberto Betancourt, was a well-known musician and composer, and shared his great passion for art and culture of his homeland with his nephew. Hugo studied folklorico dance under Maestro Alejandro Gomez Solis in the Ballet Folklorico “Veracruz” sponsored by the department of popular education, and toured the United States on several occasions with that group and with Ballet Folklorico Tonanzintla.

In 1985, along with Rosalinda Perez and Manuel Vasquez, Betancourt formed “Quetzalli” — there were only eight members at the time — and began to put together a repertoire and collect costumes and resources.

“I’ve always enjoyed music and representing my culture,” said Betancourt, who was an original dancer with the group, which has been to 30 different countries including Mylasia, Saudi Arabia, China and Japan and has its own training school.
Betancourt said he feels the group’s biggest accomplishment, however, is having been to all 50 states of the United States.

He said the group is a young one, with members between the ages of 15 and 20. Most go on to become successful professionals.

“In our 23 years, we’ve had many students, mostly from the University of Veracruz, who leave our group when they finish their studies at the university and become productive Mexican citizens — doctors, teachers, lawyers and sociologists,” said Betancourt, who added that junior high and high school students from the Veracruz area join. They also hope to work with students in California, Washington and Oregon to “teach and learn from each other.”

Mexico has a great dance tradition with its formative roots in the ethnic groups that have become a part of its culture, including the pre-Hispanic people who were indigenous to the area; the Spanish influence exerted during the conquest, which was also penetrated by elements of the Arab, African, and other European cultures; and the African peoples who arrived during the Spanish colonial period as slaves. There are also secondary influences of inhabitants of the Caribbean Islands, South American countries and the southern states of the United States.

According to Betancourt, Quetzalli performers create interpretations through technical formation, bibliographical study and ritual formation.

First on the program, the “Danzas de Concheros” of ancient Mexico, are narrative dances that were a way to spread the Christian religion, originating during the early years of the Spanish conquest and featuring elaborate feather headdresses and shell anklets and elaborate rhythm and forceful steps.

Later, dressed in satin white, the “bride and groom” perform “La Boda Nayarita” from Nayarit.

After intermission, dances from Veracruz are performed, including “La Bruja,” where women balance lighted candles on their heads in the darkened theater and perform walking steps across the floor, and “La Bamba,” which has each of six couples connected by a long, red ribbon later tied into a large bow through intricate foot movements.

Musical instruments featured in the show include violins, accordions, colcheros, harps and percussion.

Betancourt promises the show will leave audiences yipping and howling in appreciation.

“Our show has a lot a youthful energy and it’s live, so it’s all original music. Each show is different,” said Betancourt.

— MÁS staff writer Luz Peña contributed to this report.

Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli

• April 15 & 16
• CSUB Doré Theatre from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Pre-sale $15 per ticket/person / $20 at the door
• For more information, call Felisa Patiño at 204-3815
• www.sroartists.com