Ballet Folklórico de México @ George Mason

Written by DCist contributor Angela Olson.

Ballet Folklórico de México finishes an engagement at George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall today. The Mexico City based dance company has long been a must see for travelers attracted by their colorful and energetic performances. The dancing exemplifies the spirit of Mexico, and the company puts on a great show for all ages. With six foot tall headdresses, carnival costumes and a live Mariachi band, the flash almost distracts the audience from the poor technique.

The dancers easily wow audiences with lightening fast footwork, festive costumes, and intricate details in the floor patterns of Amalia Hernandez’s choreography. But frequently, the corps dancers were out of unison, had feet that were neither pointed nor flexed, and moved with slightly bent knees. One male dancer had noticeably poor turn out, and a female dancer fell sideways as she slid into the splits in a dramatic finish. This was surprising from a company that touts its classically trained dancers.

Ballet Folklórico de México was established by Hernandez to preserve the country’s traditional dances. The program, which does its last performance today at 4 p.m., explores the good and bad of life and death in regions across the country, and across its history. The curtain rises on “Matachines,” a dance inspired by the Pre-Hispanic people who danced only to worship the gods. The final dance is “Jalisco,” which includes modern dances such as the festive “Mexican Hat Dance.” In between the two, theatre-goers witness Mexico’s rich history and celebrate holidays such as the Candelaria Virgin in the main square of Tlacotalpan.