Washed in divine feminine energy 
February 20, 2009 San Miguel de Allende

Tribal Style Belly Dance 
Sat, Feb 28, 9pm
El Viejo Topo Café-Teatro
Stirling Dickinson 25
Plaza Pueblito 

In Colonia San Antonio, just across the street from the church and behind a purple door, is some very unusual activity. This is the Libélula Dance Studio of teacher and mentor Elsanne Barrows. Since arriving in San Miguel in 2000, she has been instrumental in bringing Tribal Style Belly Dance to central Mexico. And through her dance teachings and talking circles, she is empowering young women to find their voices.

On February 28, she and her most accomplished teachers will perform in the intimate supper club, El Viejo Topo.

Tribal Style Belly Dance (TBD) should not be confused with Cabaret style, which is usually performed by a solo dancer. TBD, on the other hand, has a much more profound aspect. Much of the movement is improvised, relying on a system of cues to communicate among the dancers, as well as hours of technical practice.

This form of dance celebrates empowered womanhood, and has a very tangible spiritual quality. Its movements raise and move vital energy from the “chi furnace” of the body—the dan tien, an area about three inches below the navel and in about that far. To watch these dancers perform is to be washed in divine feminine energy.

In addition to a teaching TBD, Elsanne runs a program called ALAS (Arte que Levanta la Autoestima del Ser or Art that Elevates One’s Self-Esteem).

We all fit under one hat

Dance/Theater
Bajo un Sombrero Cabemos Todos
El Sindicato students
Thu, Feb 26, 6pm
Teatro Ángela Peralta
Mesones 82
50 pesos

In the midst of the stress of daily living, it helps to be reminded of that very special something called art. The same art that brings joy, discipline and harmony to a human being also balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain, supports the formation of civic values, acts as a unifying force and prepares us, collectively and creatively, to overcome difficulties by working as one.

Art branches out to more than just its graphic expression. Performing arts are spontaneous manifestations in space and time that, more often than not, require more than one person in order to interact and hence teach us to coexist. 

The mission of El Sindicato: Casa de las Artes Escenicas is to provide a setting for people in San Miguel, particularly the youth, to learn through music, dance and theater. 

Director Doris Van Bebber says, “We also want to prepare people pre-professionally, some of whom can successfully apply to any professional academic institution in the future.”

El Sindicato gets its name from the building that houses it, which used to be headquarters of the labor union for the old canvas factory workers. Originally a part of the cultural association El Recreo de San Miguel, El Sindicato: Casa de las Artes Escenicas grew to independence from El Recreo and took on the entire building with its staff at calle Recreo 4. Now its purpose is to be the home of the performing arts.

In addition to its down-to-Mexican-earth fees, El Sindicato sponsors two programs aimed at preserving Mexican folklore and tradition. 

About 10 of the 80 students of all ages benefit from a partial to full scholarship for the classes. But there are increasing cases of people unable to pay tuition, “It saddens us to see them leave and not be able to continue doing that which they enjoy so much,” says Van Bebber.

With all this in mind, as well as future projects such as a musical program for preschool children and a “meditation in movement” class for older citizens, El Sindicato is on a fundraising mission. Van Bebber says with her usual enthusiasm, “What better way to do this than by doing what we love most—art!” 

El Sindicato presents Bajo un Sombrero Cabemos Todos (We All Fit Under One Hat), a light and comical collection of sketches and dances proposals featuring students from ages 3 to 60, reminding us that art is a common ground for all ages, races, religions and nationalities.

Three elements of flamenco
By Angela Garcia

Flamenco Show 
Anis and Yerbabuena
Fri, Feb 27, 5pm 
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25 
200 pesos

Flamenco has three artistic elements—singing (cante), dance (baile) and guitar (guitarra). In addition, flamenco group members often play palmas (hand-clapping). The relationship between artists is similar to that of jazz—one follows a basic structure, but at its heart, it is an improvised form. Cante is the center of the flamenco group.

The dancer physically interprets the words and emotion of the singer through percussive footwork and intricate hand, arm and body movements. The guitarist accompanies the singer and dancer, accentuating vocal lines and melodies.