MEXICAN DANCES

SOL LLUVIA Y FLORES

SOL: the sun is the divine force, the never-ending warmth

LLUVIA: rain is essential to life and it is asked by complex rituals

y FLORES: the flowers, ever present

The group is coordinated by Chiara Bettinali who has been studying Mexican folklore and culture since 1982; before creating “Sun, Rain and Flowers” she took part in activities carried out by other folk groups. She has a wide dance experience having taken part in many refresher courses. Moreover, she has performed in many shows. Bettinali’s travels to Mexico and her contacts with Mexican teachers have allowed her to keep her teaching techniques up-to-date.

Albino López Nava has been Bettinali’s teacher for the dances from Guerrero State during his stay in Italy, July/Sept. 1999. Mr. López Nava was born in Tixtla, a small town in the centre of Guerrero State. That is where the “chilena” dance, which the carters and the retailers spread through their trips, changed its name into “Son de tarima” (board sound). Teacher López Nava is, therefore, considered to be a real “tradition carrier”, not only as refers to this dance. He performed the “Tiger” in traditional dances, tiger meaning a beneficial power.

Teacher Juan Luis Muciño Hinojosa, from the “Mizoc” Dance School in Mexico City, has taught the Vera Cruz, Jalisco and Oaxaca repertory, during his several travels to Italy.

Mr. Pedro Alonso Palacio Vargas, Mexico Representative at CIOFF, has been a consultant on several occasions.

The group members have wide experience in folk activities. The group itself has been created in 1999.

The music is played by the group “Mariachi Sol Mexicano” and according to the needs, by Sandro Peres (leading classic and flamenco guitar) and or by Fernando Ugarte. His voice sings the Mexican feeling, be it in the revolution “corridos” or in passionate songs. Daniela Lasorsa is the violinist of “los Manueles”dance.

DANCES

The group has chosen mainly dances from Guerrero State, even if dances from other States are included.

Guerrero State: the name comes from the national hero born in Tixtla. It is situated in South-East Mexico, along the Pacific Ocean coast where Acapulco, well known to international tourism, is located. Other dances are more popular abroad, but the dances from this State are extremely interesting. They are performed nowadays during festivities.

Characteristic sounds: el son, el palomo.

Chilenas de la Costa: Amanecer de Acapulco, la Malaguena cureña, la Yerbasanta, la Sanmarquena.

The so-called “chilenas” were dances performed around 1823 by sailors coming from Chile, from Peru, Argentina and Colombia stopping in Acapulco on their way to the North, during the “gold fever”, these dances didn’t really stay in Acapulco but rather they spread through the State, absorbing different “sounds” in the various regions, still keeping a common root. Not to be forgotten the version of the African inhabitants of the coast.

Sones de Tarima: El Zopilote, El Gavilàn, El Pato. Indigenous Dance: Los Manueles

Veracruz – La Bamba, La Bruja, El Huateque, El Tilingo lingo, Fandango Jarocho, Jarabe Loco

Jalisco – La Negra, El Carretero, La Madrugada, Las Alazanas, el Jarabe Tapatìo

North – Polka, redova y polka/cuadrilla

Participants : Paola Agamennone, Elena Albertelli,Chiara Bettinali, David Beuchot, Bruno Caporilli, Lilli Carraro, Manuela De Carolis, Saverio De Propris, Rita Di Mario, Silvano Giglio, Vincenzo Marciano, Paola Pagliani, Simona Petrella, Quintino Protopapa