(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 15, 2008 ) Modesto, CA - The Gallo Center for the Arts sets the tone for a spectacular night of festivities, color and celebration with Navidad en Mexico starring the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno together with Mariachi Colima and invited vocalist Yolanda Aranda on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 19-21. In addition, two evening performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and two additional matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm have been added.
Featuring 30 dancers, 10 mariachis, a singer and a lariat roper, this ‘south-of-the-border’ celebration is laden with seasonal accents such as a traditional Christmas processional (posadas), a festive piñata scene, and a Mexican holiday finale.
“Navidad en Mexico” gives the audience a whirlwind tour of the country’s distinct cultural regions which include Mexican states such as Jalisco, Sonora, Baja California, Michoacán and many more. Animated polkas, rancheras, and corridos from northern Mexico stand in contrast to sensuous Caribbean dances from the country’s coastal areas. Graceful harvest and courtship dances from the south are juxtaposed with indigenous rituals reminiscent of Mayan and Yaqui traditions. And festive dances from Jalisco, in the banda and mariachi styles, create a party-like atmosphere that celebrates Mexico’s most cherished artistic exports.
Navidad en Mexico is a performance that rivals the glitz and glamour of the best Broadway attraction. With forty years in the performing arts business, the Moreno family has mastered the subtleties of putting together a first-rate and polished production. Beautiful backdrops displaying a Mexican plaza or a lush tropical scene provide the setting for the fast-paced footwork (zapateado) of male dancers and the energetic skirt twirling (faldeo) of female dancers. Showcasing the rich artistic traditions of Mexican culture with style and ethnic sparkle, the performers in the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno never miss a beat as they enter and exit the stage with flawless precision in a ‘stomp and whirl’ mode.
Tickets for Navidad en Mexico are priced $24-$38. A 15% discount is available for groups of 15 or more. Last yearÂ’s performance sold out, so the Center recommends buying in advance. To order tickets, or for more information and/or a complete roster of this seasonÂ’s upcoming events, log on to www.galloarts.org or call (209) 338-2100. Navidad en Mexico is sponsored by Univision 19 and Telefutura 64.
For more information on the Gallo Center for the Arts, visit the CenterÂ’s website at www.galloarts.org.
