Special 4th of July Show at the Guadalupe
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor –
Every first Friday of the month, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents the lively music-and-dance program called “Celebrando Tradiciones,” but this week, in honor of the 4th of July, it is offering something special: “Historias y Recuerdos – A Mexican-American Story.”
This unique production “pays homage to the Mexican-American voice of San Antonio’s Westside by recounting the stories that make up the fabric of our history and experience,” says the press release.
The presentation will layer the stories collected from Westside’s old-timers, with original dance segments, choreographed to reflect and express those stories through movement and rhythms.
“David Gonzalez, one of the founders of the Guadalupe Center, contacted people in the community and did the original interviews,” said dance company director Jeannette Chavez. “The dances are all newly created for this production; they are interpretive, in a mixture of dance styles – folklorico, flamenco, and contemporary. The final scene, set in a bar, includes Tejano and conjunto dance.”
One of the stories included, “Noticias de Mama,” focuses on a soldier stationed overseas who is having a hard time being separated from his family. One night he dreams that his grandmother has come to give him water from a leaf. When his mother’s letter arrives sometime later, he finds out that grandma died the night she appeared in his dream.
Another story, “Fronteras,” deals with a man who leaves his home in Mexico – and his young son – to come to the U.S. “He finally makes it across the border and we are relieved that he made it, but then, the spotlight moves onto his son, and we see him playing alone and crying,” explained dancer and former dance company director Belinda Menchaca. And yet another tale, “La Variedad,” pays tribute to the Guadalupe Theater itself which has been an important part of the community since 1943.
In addition to Chavez, the choreography is credited to Denise Rios, Jorge Gaxiola and Luis Garcia. Mariachi Azteca will also appear on stage but a lot of the music had to be pre-recorded to include various sound effects necessary in the telling of the stories.
Founded in 1991, the Guadalupe Dance Company is one of the leading flamenco and Mexican folklorico ensembles in the U.S. Through collaborations with experienced artists from Spain and Mexico, it has created a number of original productions in both dance genres over the past 15 years. The company has also shared the stage with the San Antonio Symphony, as well as the symphony orchestras of Houston and Nashville, and was featured on national TV shows such as “Good Morning, America” and “The Today Show.”
“This will be the only opportunity to see this particular production,” noted Menchaca. “We have a different show every month, so this is truly a unique opportunity.”
“Historias y Recuerdos – A Mexican-American Story,” Friday, July 5 at 8 p.m.; Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., 78207; tickets are $10-$25, reserved tables for four $125; call 210-271-3151 or visit www.guadalupeculturalarts.org