International Dance Day
By Kennedy Poyser
Photo by Carmen Riojas
| Famous Mexican cellist Jimena Giménez Cacho will give a series of three concerts at the Santa Ana Theater. |  |
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In 1982, the UNESCO International Dance Committee founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on April 29. The date was suggested by Pyotr Gusev to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet master, considered the father of the narrative ballets of the nineteenth century.
His Lettres sur la danse et les ballets in 1760 caused a revolution in the art of the ballet.
Noverre called for an end to repressive traditions, cumbersome costumes, masks, old-fashioned musical styles and choreography. He also discussed methods for dancers’ training, such as considering the dancer’s personality and encouraging students to capitalize on their own talents. He also called for logical plots and music appropriate to dramatic development. His name is frequently quoted in the literature of dance, though his ballets have not been performed for two centuries. Many of his theories remain part of today’s ideology of dance. David Garrick called him “the Shakespeare of the dance.”
In 1775, Queen Marie Antoinette requested that Noverre be appointed maître des ballets of the Paris Opera, a post he retained until the French Revolution reduced him to poverty. He died on October 19, 1810.
Among the goals of the International Dance Day are to increase the awareness of the importance of dance among the general public, as well as to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education.
While dance has been an integral part of human culture throughout its history, it has little official priority around the world. In particular, Prof. Alkis Raftis, President of the International Dance Council, in his 2003 Dance Day Message said: “In more than half of the 200 countries in the world, dance does not appear in legal texts (for better or for worse!). There are no funds allocated in the state budget to support this art form. There is no such thing as dance education, private or public.”
Every year a message from a well-known dance personality is circulated throughout the world as part of Dance Day. The official message this year is dedicated to inclusive dance, to encourage all members of society into classes and performances. For example, the Youthdance Education Trust in New Zealand offers a kapa haka performance followed by free dance workshops in Irish, Samba, Jazz, Hip Hop, Brazilian Forro and Capoeira, Cuban Fusion, Salsa and Swing. A two-hour afternoon performance features 17 Wellington regional dance groups.
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Dance Classes in San Miguel
By Krishna Villena
Photo by Nancy Antik
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“This day is dedicated to every body of every creed, color and culture that carries the traditions of its past into stories of the present and dreams of the future. |
This day is dedicated to Dance, to its myriad dialects and its immense powers to express, transform, unite and delight." International Dance Day Message 2009, by Akram Khan, British leading dancer and choreographer.
There’s no reason for not dancing in San Miguel, and to give yourself the gift of relaxation and sensation of freedom. Dancing is always a good medicine for body and soul. There are cultural centers in town offering classes at a reasonable price or even for free. Below is a list of some options to take advantage for.
Dance at DIF (Family Services Department)
Happy abuelitos (grandparents) enjoy life, socializing and having fun together. If you´re older than 60, you’ll have to check what the new Centro Gerontológico (Center for Seniors) has for you. From Monday to Friday, starting at 9am, classes of tai-chi and yoga are available, as well as a colorful and traditional folkloric dance with the teacher Omar Álvarez, from the Ballet Folklórico Mazatl. The main requirements are a good attitude and being ready to have fun every day. For information go to DIF offices at the corner of San Antonio Abad and Insurgentes, or call 152-0910.
DIF’s dance classes
Folkloric dance for seniors, Mon, Wed & Fri, 10am
Photo by Nancy Atik
| Casa de la Cultura Mirna Salinas, director of Casa de la Cultura de San Miguel de Allende, said that since its beginning in the late nineties, this center has focused on the community. |
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The main objective is to promote and give workshops for dance, literature, visual arts, theater and music to all sectors of society. “We have the best teachers offering their knowledge here; they also go to rural communities to teach children how to dance.” Classes for adults are chess, drawing, painting, guitar, violin, piano, literature as well as a theater workshop with award winning actor Alonso Echánove. To enroll in the classes you need a copy of a birth certificate, proof of address and two photos (infantil size.) The monthly fee is 53 pesos. More information at, Casa de la Cultura de San Miguel, Bajada del Chorro 4, Centro, Tel. 154-5670. Office hours are Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm.
Dance classes at Casa de la Cultura
Folkloric dance, with teacher Omar Álvarez (Ballet Folklórico Mazatl), Tue-Thu & Sat, 5-7pm
Dance-theater, with teacher Inés Soria, Tue&Thu, 5-7pm
Regional & traditional Mexican dance, with teachers Gabriela Rodríguez Chagoyán and Gloria Rodríguez Navarrete (Ballet Representativo de San Miguel de Allende) for children and adolescents.
Pre-Hispanic dance, with teacher José Perales Pérez, who teaches in the rural communities
| Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante” Also known as Bellas Artes, this cultural center is one of the most traditional places in town offering ballet lessons for children, adolescents and adults. Raquel Juárez, Carmen Jiménez and Patricia |
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Álvarez are the staff of ballet instructors at this cultural center. The courses start in September and run through June; in July there’s a summer course too. The requirements are two photos (infantil size), a completed form, 350 pesos annual membership plus 50 pesos monthly fee (for children under 12 years old) and 100 pesos (general public). Bellas Artes is located at Hernández Macías 75, Centro, Tel., 152-0289 and 152-0936
Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante”
Ballet classes
Level 1, Wed 4-5pm
Level 2, Tue 4-5pm and Wed 5-6pm
Classes for adults are available.
International Dance Day Celebration
Wed, Apr 29, 7pm
Choreographer Rocío Fuentes
presents the film Espartacus by Yuri Grigovich,
Miguel Malo Auditorium
| El Sindicato Casa de las Artes Escénicas At El Sindicato Casa de las Artes Escénicas, there are classes open to children from 4 years to adults of every age. |
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In the biggest classroom, you can move your body at different rhythms such as Latin and Mexican traditional, in communitarian classes of zumba and folkloric dance. In the wooden-floor classrooms, classes of Vinyasa Yoga and Pilates take place, as well as ballet and belly dance. You may also learn other artistic skills such as playing piano or guitar.
El Sindicato gives scholarships in order to continue developing its student’s skills and to promote culture and arts within the community. Scholarships are possible, thanks to the kind donation of sponsors. All sponsors are welcome. More info at El Sindicato on Recreo 4, Centro, (Office hours Mon-Fri, 9am-noon and 4-7pm) 152-0135 or
cescenicas@gmail.com
El Sindicato Casa de las Artes Escénicas
Doris van Bebber, director of El Sindicato, invites readers of Atención, to celebrate the International Dance Day, on Wednesday, April 29, with a free zumba class at 11am, or jazz at 6:30pm, or an air dance class at the exceptional price of 50 pesos from 12:30-2pm.
*Annual membership, plus monthly fee, more information at the office
Contemporary Jazz*
Jazz 1 (children from 7-10), Mon-Wed, 5-6pm
Jazz 2 (children & adolescents) Tue, 5-6:30pm
Jazz 3 (14 and older) Tue, 6:30-8:30pm
Jazz for adults, Mon-Wed, 6-7:30pm
Folkloric dance
Children, Tue-Fri 4:30-5:30pm
Adolescents, Tue-Sat, 5:30-7pm
30 pesos per class
Zumba
Adolescents/adults, mornings: Mon-Fri, 9-10am, Tue & Thu, 7-8am,
Evenings: Mon & Wed, 8:30-9:30pm, Fri, 8-9pm
20 pesos per class
Ballet*
Children/adolescents 11years and older, Mon-Thu, 7-8pm
Capoeira*
Adolescents/adults, Mon, Tue & Thu, 8-9pm
Introduction to dance*
Children (3-6), wed, 4-5pm
Children (6-8), Mon, 4-5pm
Annual membership plus monthly fee
Belly dance course*
Adolescents/adults, Mon & Wed, 5-6pm
Nia, dance and movement*
Adolescents/adults, Mon & Fri, 9:30-10:45am
Hip-Hop
Adolescents 14 and older, Mon, Wed & Fri, 8-9pm
25 pesos per class
Danzón
Adults, Tue, 6-7pm, Wed, 6-7:30pm
30 pesos per class
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Workshop
Introduction to traditional African Dance
Jennifer Hofmann
Mon–Thu, Apr 27–30, 10:30am–noon
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
300 pesos, or 100 pesos for single class
Get ready for International Dance Day
By Atención Staff
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If you can talk, you know how to sing—if you can walk, you know how to dance.—African proverb |
Jennifer Hofmann teaches traditional African dance with focus on the Malinké people in Guinea, Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso. African dances offer us a variety of movements that in our modern everyday life have been lost. They belong to the most expressive dances of all. They require the entire body feeling and always reflect events or life situations of the everyday or festive life. Weddings, ceremonies and historical events, from the imperialist invasion to our days, are reported by means of rhythms and dances.
The dances are full of joy and connect power with elegance. The head is light and airy; the feet are deeply rooted in the soil. West African dance is a rich source of energy and zest for life.
Hofmann teaches dance techniques and simple quick-to-learn movements, including movement diversity and expressive possibilities of West African dances, the rhythm of the drums and knowledge about the tradition and meaning of the dances.
Live music for the workshop will be traditional Djembé rhythms and doundouns (Doundoun, Sangban, Kenkeni—a long drum with two patches and sometimes a bell.) Participants will learn dance movements during the sessions, which we later on compose as a small choreography.
Jennifer Hofmann (MA, Ethnologist) was born in Heidelberg, Germany, and is currently based in San Miguel de Allende. The interest in African dance arose out of her upbringing in a multinational family and its musical activities in soca, calypso and reggae. Out of this Afro-Caribbean dance music culture, she took African dance classes in specialized institutes in Europe by teachers like Nago Koite, Sory Camara, Sire Doumbouya, Aicha Kouyaté, Bebey Youla, Fanta Kaba, Aisatta Kouyaté, George Momboye, Dobet Gnahoré and Richard Sagne. Apart from her studies, various trips to West Africa and Trinidad and Tobago completed her cultural knowledge.
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Put your dancing shoes on!
By Michaella Rodriguez
Dance and movement are good for the body, mind and soul. We should take an opportunity to get involved in dancing, whether it be on the floor or on the sidelines, whenever we can. In anticipation of the International Day of Dance, put on your dancin’ shoes and head over to one of the many live music and dance venues in San Miguel.
Bóvedas
Salsa Dancing
Fridays and Saturdays
From 10pm
Tinajitas 24
100 pesos
Bellas Artes
Danza del Alma
Free-form community dance
Sundays, 10:30am-noon
Hernández Macías 75
35 pesos
La Fragua
Tango on Tuesdays at 9pm
Flamenco on Wednesdays at 9pm
Cuna de Allende 10
Instituto Allende
Salsa Night
Wednesdays at 8pm
w/Frank Bravo and Son Soneros
Ancha de San Antonio 20
100 pesos
Mama Mía
Live Salsa
Fridays and Saturdays
From midnight to 3am
w/Son Candela
El Ring
Salsa Nights
Wednesdays &Thursdays
9-11pm
Hidalgo 27
El Sindicato
Arthur Murray Studio Parties
All styles of dancing
Every Thursday night
Recreo 4
150 pesos
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Dance quiz
By Kennedy Poyser and Michaella Rodriguez
| For International Dance Day, you could take the African workshop in the Biblioteca, learn Afro-Cuban rhythms at El Sindicato or watch Rocio Fuentes at Bellas Artes. If you are feeling sedentary and rhythm-challenged, get comfortable and take this quiz. | |
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You’ll enjoy a feeling of accomplishment (well, not if you peek at the answers below) and can even do research on Wikipedia under “List of Dances,” which has the usual network of links. Then spend hours wandering on YouTube, starting with “boogie woogie silvan zingg.” If you want to be shocked, try “perreo” or “reggaeton” videos.
1. A dance style believed to vent anger and stress used frequently in hip-hop street dance battles.
a. Contact improvisation
b. Krumping
c. Rapper sword
2. A sport, recognized form of exercise and a performing art.
a. Table dancing
b. Lap dancing
c. Pole dancing
3. This dance includes three steps.
a. Texas Two Step
b. Jitterbug
c. Clogging
4. This dance does not require special footwear.
a. Ballet
b. Moonwalk
c. Tap
5. Originated as a dance between males in Argentina.
a. B-boy
b. Tango
c. Danza
6. This dance is considered an Olympic medal sport.
a. Ice dance
b. Stomp dance
c. Slam dance
7. Hula was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by this group of settlers.
a. North Americans
b. Polynesians
c. Japanese
8. Square dance is a folk dance with how many couples?
a. Four couples
b. Two couples
c. As many couples as you can find
9. Who created the dance that accompanies the song “Macarena” by Spanish band Los del Río?
a. Club goers
b. The band
c. A dance teacher
10. No variant of the polka dance is found in this country.
a. Ireland
b. Argentina
c. Dubai
11. This was a dance craze of the eighties.
a. The Running Man
b. The Twist
c. The Hustle
12. Fred Astaire’s dance expertise was seen in which film?
a. Singin’ in the Rain
b. Shall We Dance?
c. Anchors Aweigh
13. The expression of traditional African dance places emphasis on…
a. The community
b. The individual
c. Couples
14. A one-year ban on foreigners doing this dance in Egypt was overturned in September 2004.
a. Lambada
b. Bump and grind
c. Belly dancing
15. A Brazilian dance which is a key part of the 1993 movie Only the Strong.
a. Bossa Nova
b. Capoeira
c. Samba
16. When this dance first appeared, it was considered little more than a scandalous activity that young people indulged in, similar to how rock and roll would be perceived later.
a. Cancan
b. Viennese Waltz
c. Tango
17. Which of these is not an International Latin ballroom dance?
a. Jive
b. Paso Doble
c. Salsa
18. When Cuban son was brought to the US in the thirties it was renamed….
a. Reggaeton
b. Merengue
c. Rumba
19. A fusion of African and European influences, this dance may have originated in New York City’s Puerto Rican community in the fifties.
a. Samba
b. Salsa
c. Cumbia
20. Tito Puente has been billed as The King of this dance style, but he never actually recorded any of the music, since it’s Cuban in origin and travel to the island was prohibited through most of his adult life.
a. Salsa
b. Danzón
c. Mambo
Answers: 1. b 2. c 3. a 4. b 5. b 6. a 7. b 8. a 9. c 10. c 11. a 12. b 13. a 14. c 15. b 16. a 17. c 18. c 19. b 20. C
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