More than a group, we are a family!

I grew up in a very small family with literally no relatives around me, I often yearned uncles, aunts and cousins with whom get together on the weekends.  All that changed when I joined Xyachimal. Since then, I have a whole new set of brothers and sisters (Master’s group), little cousins (Teen’s group) and nieces and nephews (Children’s group), because every new member not only joins the group but is ‘adopted’ by our extended family.

As in all families, its members have different opinions and even heated arguments on certain matters, but at the end of the day we love each other and accept us as we are. In the group we understand that all members are part of it because of our passion for folklorico, and because of our Mexican background we can all relate in many different levels.

Age gaps are not important and during a performance kids and adults come together to present a quality show and one will often see everyone trying to help each other get changed for the next musical number.

Although it takes the dedication of endless hours to the creation of a show, we combined them with birthday parties, picnics, road trips, holiday’s celebrations, and simple get-togethers to remind ourselves that without the relationships that we have forged we could have not gotten to where we are today. Our smiles on stage would be faked and members wouldn’t stay too long. Instead there are members that have been with Xyachimal since its humble beginnings (8+ years) and continue to contribute their skills and love for folklorico to the great family that we are now.

I can proudly say that I’m blessed to have found the family I lacked as a child, and I’m glad that we can be a family for those members who left theirs when they came to the United States.

Xyachimal’s arms are always open to welcome new family members and be part of this amazing folklorico experience.  

I present to you: Ballet Folklorico Xyachimal

Xyachimal is the god of youth on the Mayan culture, and the well-being of our Hispanic youth is the group’s main concern.  Dr. Priscilla Rocha had the vision to create an outlet for youth at risk where they could find something productive to do with their time as well as to keep them off the streets and mainly off drugs. That vision and her passion for her Hispanic background led to the formation of Ballet Folklorico Xyachimal back in 2002.

The group started with only a few members, and has grown to host about 80 active members plus the administrative staff.  The ages of the members range from six to late thirties and there are divided in three subgroups, Children’s, Teen’s and Master’s ballet.

The group performs in various venues throughout the Las Vegas Valley, mostly to entertain Hispanic audiences during community events; and the group puts together four main performances during the year. These are to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Children’s day, Mexican Revolution Anniversary and Xyachimal’s Anniversary.

During each of these performances the group features or highlights at least one ‘new’ region, or dances from a region of Mexico that has not been performed before. New costumes, accessories and headpieces are showcased to add to its already extensive repertoire.

This blog will be dedicated to the exciting world of Folklorico, as well as news and activities of Ballet Xyachimal, and I’ll leave you today with pictures from the Master’s ensemble in costumes of  Yucatan, Jalisco and Durango .

How it all started...

As a child I always liked to dance and often wished I could perform in The Nutcracker and wear Pointe shoes and a big tutu. Although that didn’t happen, just like many other of my childhood fantasies, deep inside I knew it wasn’t just a dream that every girl has. From the few chances I had at performing on school recitals I knew I loved being on stage. 

When I hit my early twenties I thought that dream was long buried but after I had my daughter, I reconnected with a friend who invited me to join a folklorico dance company. I was excited at first but a bit insecure of my dancing abilities and felt that I might even be too old to be a dancer. I was wrong about both assumptions. As soon as I started learning the zapateado and skirt movements, something inside of me sparked and my passion for folklorico started growing in me.

I have been dancing with Ballet Foklorico Xyachimal for over 4 years now and don’t get tired of doing so. No matter how hectic my life gets every Wednesday and Thursday evening the world stops because I’m rehearsing choreographies and learning new steps; and every so often I get to put on heavy makeup, false eyelashes, big earrings and wear the most beautiful and colorful dresses with intricate headpieces to perform on a stage where I feel the rhythms of my country flowing through me and exiting to reach all the members of the audience and make them feel the our passion for folklorico.