Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 13, 1990 TAG: 9003133176
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JEFF DeBELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Escamilla is an expert with the lariat.
"I have seen him perform hundreds of times," Davies said, "but still I scream every time. He's an artist. He brings the house down every night."
Escamilla will be along when the internationally known Mexican folkloric dance company appears Saturday in Roanoke.
The performance will be at 8 p.m. in the Roanoke Civic Center auditorium.
Sixteenth and 17th-century Spanish settlers brought the lariat to Mexico, where it became a part of the work and entertainment culture. In that way, Davies said, it is like all the music and dance that is part of the Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Mexico program: strictly authentic.
The numbers represent ethnic Indian, Hispanic and mestizo culture from half a dozen Mexican states, Davies said.
Founded in 1960, the Ballet Folclorico is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a sixth North American tour and a brand-new show complete with new costumes and scenery and a company of 50 performers and technicians.
Davies said there are 24 costume changes in the show, which proceeds quickly from number to number. There is no master of ceremonies.
"It's a colorful, very happy type of spectacle," she said. "The two hours go by very fast."
Davies, who was born in Spain, spoke by telephone from her office. She's a district counselor with the public school system of San Diego, Calif., in addition to being spokeswoman for the Ballet Folclorico.
The Ballet Folclorico was founded by Silvia Lozano, an artist and dance authority who has dedicated herself to preserving Mexican ethnic dance and presenting it to audiences both in Mexico and abroad. In 1977, Ballet Folclorico was chosen from among all of the country's dance companies to represent the government officially.
In addition to the traveling company, it maintains resident troupes in Mexico City and Cancun.
The company's North American tour began Jan. 6 and will continue through April with stops in many parts of the United States and Canada.
In addition to the authentic costumes and music, Davies said, spectators will see lots of "zapateao," which is the elaborate footwork associated with Mexican dance.
It's something like American tap dance, she said, except that the heels are used more prominently and there are no taps on the shoes.
What it is not like is flamenco, which is a Spanish form.
"Ninety-nine point nine percent of Americans cannot distinguish between Spanish and Mexican," Davies said. "It's really sad, because Spain is a European country and Mexico is an American country. It's like confusing the U.S. and England."
The Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Mexico is being sponsored in Roanoke by Virginia Western Community College and by this newspaper, with a supplemental grant from the Arts Council of Roanoke Valley.
Tickets to the performance are $5. They can be bought at the Virginia Western bookstore or reserved by calling 857-7334. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Mexico: 8 p.m. Saturday, Roanoke Civic Center auditorium, 857-7334.
by CNB