Ballet
Folklórico
Ritmo Alegre
Ballet
Folklórico Ritmo Alegre is
traditional Mexican folk dancing with whirling skirts, stomping feet,
and the lively rhythms of Mariachi and other styles of Mexican folk
music. For 13 years a small group of local dancers, called Ballet Folklórico, has performed for
festivals, schools, and
organizations all over the Rogue Valley. Now the group has formed
a steering committee and become a non-profit community organization
under the fiscal sponsorship of the Multicultural Association of
Southern Oregon.
After
a busy summer of performing in the Ashland and Central Point Fourth of July
parades and the Jackson County Fair, Ballet Folklórico Ritmo Alegre is preparing
for the start of dance classes for all ages this September.
A one hour class for
elementary age children and another for middle and high school age youth will be
offered one evening a week at both Talent Middle School and at VIBES Main 1 in
Medford. In these classes dancers will learn folklórico dance steps and
choreography and will be able to use practice costumes such as skirts, hats, and
other props. Every month or two, dancers will have the opportunity to perform in
public wearing complete performance costumes. The fee for the weekly classes is
$30 per month and scholarships are available for low income families and
multiple family members.
Two adult folklórico
dance classes are also reforming and interested adults are encouraged to try
these easy and fun dances. All are welcome!
For further information please call Victoria Snow Mountain at 261-1906,
ritmoalegre@yahoo.com
Ballet Folklórico
Performances:
*
Multicultural Association Annual Meeting, 4 pm,
Sunday,
October 28, First Presbyterian
Church, 85 S. Holly St, Medford.
*Martin Luther King Day Celebration, 3pm, Sunday, January 20, South Medford
High School Auditorium, 815 S. Oakdale, Medford
Victoria Snow Mountain
Honored
Our own Victoria Snow
Mountain
received the Mariana Weibenga
Community Service Award in recognition of her service to the
Hispanic community of the Rogue Valley. For 13 years Snow has
promoted Hispanic culture through the Ballet Folklórico/Latin
Reflections Mexican dance troupe. The dance group grew out of her
work as an ESL teacher at South Medford High School. The traditional
Mexican folk dance group promotes cultural pride and awareness in her
students.
Snow has the reputation of being a fierce advocate for her students.
She inspires many to finish high school and pursue college degrees in
spite of great personal challenges. She frequently travels to Mexico to
gain a better understanding of her students by visiting their pueblos
(home towns) and to enrich her own life with the beauty and tranquility
of the country, as well as learning the traditional folk dances.
Recently, Ballet Folklórico has reorganized as a self-governing
community group under the fiscal sponsorship of the Multicultural
Association of Southern Oregon and adopted the name Ballet
Folklórico Ritmo Alegre. This move enables adults and younger
children to be involved in the dance troupe. Latin Reflections remains
affiliated with South Medford High. Snow serves as a board member of
the Multicultural Association.
The Community Service Award was created by the Hispanic Interagency
Committee to honor Mariana Weibenga. Mariana was known as an advocate
for the advancement of the Hispanic community. La Abuelita (the little
grandmother) visited farms and labor camps during more than 20 years of
outreach work. Mariana extended assistance anywhere she was needed, for
strangers or friends, even if it required a spontaneous visit to the
hospital or county jail. Snow worked closely with Mariana at the
Gleaning Network and developed a deep respect for the dedication and
hard work La Abuelita gave to
the Latino Community.
Unete, a farmworkers advocacy group, received the Community Service
Award at the March 8, 2006 ceremony. Unete President Dagoberto Morales and
local AFL-CIO leaders used the opportunity to urge the community to
become informed about HB 3347. This legislation would criminalize
giving assistance to undocumented workers. This might include teachers,
social workers, community volunteers, doctors and nurses–anyone who
assists the needy.
Sister Yolanda Mathenski received the Lifelong Achievement Award from
the Hispanic Interagency Committee. Sister Yolanda worked with the
Hispanic community through the Sacred Heart Catholic Church for 14
years. She taught primary school and taught lay people how to teach
Catechism. She fed the hungry, aided the sick and helped immigrants to
become permanent residents and citizens. Sister Yolanda now lives in
Portland.