Spirit of Mexico will present "Alegria Mexican," meaning Mexican joy - the vibrancy and joy of Mexican culture - for the community Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12 at 6:30 p.m., in the Lowry High School auditorium.
Admission is $5 per person; children 5 and under are free.
"Come join us for a wonderful evening representing over eight Mexican states," said Lily Avalos, one of the group's organizers.
Spirit of Mexico began in 2010 with a group of teens performing Mexican folkore dances for a local church function, said Avalos.
With that, the spark was ignited and the number of dancers grew and Spirit of Mexico was formed in January 2012.
The mission of the volunteer group, led by Angelica Mercado and Avalos, is to provide educational instruction in Mexican folklore dance, customs and heritage.
Avalos said the effort connects participants to their Mexican heritage and provides them with an outlet to share this beautiful art form with the greater community to help expand appreciation for cultural diversity.
Spirit of Mexico also encourages youth to be a positive influence in the community by sharing their talents and being involved in healthy activities. The group is self-sustaining through donations received for performing and the funds cover the group's liability insurance and costume expenses.
The group strives to help provide the traditional costumes including dresses, shirts, hair pieces and accessories. Most of the girls' costumes are made by Mercado, the group's dance teacher and costume designer.
If purchased, Avalos said the costumes would cost from $150 to $300 each.
Costumes that can't be sewn are purchased with money donated to the group.
Avalos noted one unusual item that had to be made for the show to be presented this weekend. One of dances is called "Los Machetes" and is usually performed with machetes. Since the venue for this performance is a school, Avalos said Gonzales Custom Cabinets made and donated wooden machetes, "which will allow the group to present this dance."
She invited anyone interested to follow Spirit of Mexico on Facebook www.facebook.com/SpiritofMex.
Contact Joyce Sheen at j.sheen@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
