**For Immediate Release**
Students Turn Up the Heat with Dance Performance
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 07/20/06
by Laura Dahl
Goodwell, Okla. — Colorful swirling skirts and faces
wreathed in smiles lit the stage in Oklahoma Panhandle
State University’s Hughes-Strong Auditorium Friday
night. Participants in the third annual Mexican Traditions
Workshop on the OPSU campus last week demonstrated the
traditional Mexican dances they learned under the direction
of Alex and Mary Palencia. OPSU’s Dean of Liberal
Arts, Sara Richter, was among those in the audience. Following
the performance she said, “The exciting production
was panoply of color and flirtation! I couldn’t contain
my enthusiasm as the rhythms and sounds encouraged me to
participate.” The audience clapped to the beat, whistled,
and called out, showing support for youth on stage.
The students showcased dances from
three Mexican states including Jalisco, Zacatecas, and
Puebla. The crowd enjoyed the Los Machetes dance in the
Jalisco set where the young men incorporated knives in
their moves. The Zacatecas dances included two Popurrís,
each a series of three lively dances that switched between
different rhythms such as waltz, polka, and mazurka.
The dances from Puebla featured gorgeous costumes with
the women in hand-sewn sequined skirts and the men attired
in fancy flared trousers, red cummerbunds and black boleros
with military-style trim.
In order to allow for costume changes,
Alex and Mary Palencia performed at the end of each set.
One dance they executed was the popular, traditional
Mexican Hat dance, and then the youth took the stage
for their final number, a Mambo choreographed by Senora
Palencia. Dressed in black, the dancers performed to
the popular dance tune “Mambo
#5,” released by Lou Bega. The contemporary dance
allows the students freedom to exhibit their own style
and provided a wonderful finale.
For the third year, the Oklahoma Arts Council and National
Endowment for the Arts have provided a generous grant for
this cultural, educational opportunity. The five-day workshop
offered participants not only dance lessons, but also instruction
in Mexican culture and arts. The youth displayed the crafts
they created in the auditorium lobby that included cornhusk
dolls, paintings depicting pre-Colombian designs, and the
traditional Eye of God ornaments. In addition, the students
helped design and paint the backdrop used in the dance
performance.
Another member of the audience, Melyn
Johnson, Community Development Director for the City
of Guymon, said, “Watching
the talent exhibited by the students is the best part,
not to mention the beautiful costumes. And seeing their
enthusiasm and dedication is extraordinary. What these
kids are accomplishing is really awesome.”
Following is a list of students participating in the camp.
| Name |
School |
| Exna Aburto |
Garden City High School |
| Natividad Adame |
Garden City High School |
| Maribel Carrillo |
Garden City High School |
| Marisol Chavarria |
Garden City High School |
| Mike Chávez |
Guymon High School |
| Francisca Cruz |
Garden City High School |
| Lisa Dang |
Guymon High School |
| Jessica Galindo |
Oklahoma Panhandle State University |
| Daniel Guadián |
Guymon High School |
| Dora Herrera |
Garden City High School |
| José Jáuregui |
Guymon High School |
| Luis López |
Garden City High School |
| Miguel Silva |
Guymon High School |
| Karina Villalobos |
Guymon High School |
Alex and Mary Palencia combine more
than 25 years of experience as dancers, instructors,
choreographers and directors. A part of Mexico 2000 Ballet
Folklórico Dance Companies,
they perform for many cultural and private events, have
presented more than 500 performances in 6 years. They also
compete nationally and have won more than 125 trophies.
OPSU commends the Palencias and the students for their
hard work and thanks them providing a phenomenal performance!
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