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Friday, May 31, 2013

The World of Workshops - Week 22

Welcome back everyone to One Big Wedo.  Here we are at week 22, almost half way through the journey!  Lots of exciting posts coming up, be sure to keep checking back because you'll never know what you may find!  You might just be surprised!  This week Bosnia and Herzegovina checked in - Welcome!  It's nice to know that people all over the globe are reading and enjoying the blog.  I can't wait to see how this all wraps up at the end of the year.  And then what?  Hmmm, time will tell. 


Did you know that you can create a One Big Wedo icon link for your iphone?  Neither did I until someone showed me how this past weekend!  How cool is that!  It's so easy.  Technology is amazing!  I'm not certain, but you may be able to do it on other smart phones too.  Give it a try!  Here's how to do it.  First, you have to go to my page on your phone using Safari, Google or web browser of your choice.  Here's my web address:  www.onebigwedo.blogspot.com   Once there, press on the "box and arrow" function key on your phone and it will give you a list of options.  Press "Add To Home Screen" and voila, instant icon link on your phone!  Now you can just press and read.  I did it on my phone even though I write these wonderful pieces of literature!  Ok that's a stretch, creative writings rather.

Before we get started, I am amazed at how people continue to correct me on the word "guero"!  I am constantly being reminded that I spelled it wrong or that I left the dots over the "u" off.  I put it to rest weeks and weeks ago, but I have been bombarded the past couple weeks with people correcting me.  Perhaps it's because there are many new readers to the blog and they don't know all the history.  So I've tried all the web recommendations and instructions on how to do the umlaut on the "American Keyboard" with no success!  AYE!  I just don't think it was meant for me to do it!  But I promise to keep trying and looking further into it.  And as far as the word guero itself, I've been corrected repeatedly on how the word is spelled.  Some of the recent spellings are:  Guerro, Guedo, Huedo, Wero, Guelo, Wello.  One person even called me a "Whitexican" on Facebook.  Wow, the terms just keep coming, don't they?  I think it has gone far enough, let's have a council on the subject of guero and make an official ruling!  In the mean time, I just keep adding to the "guero" list.  Thanks everyone for your concern for the wedo's vocabulary and grammar well being.

With that said, let's get started.  With the holiday last Monday and being off work, it was a short week for me to write.  That's alright, because I'm certain that I will make up for it in the future.  This week I'm writing about folklorico workshops! 

The World Of Workshops:


Just like Santa has his workshop where he and his elves build toys for children all over the world, folklorico has workshops to build dancers.  Workshops can take a variety of forms, whether they be master classes, one or multiple day workshops, seminars/conferences, voyages to study under a maestro of dance and so on.  The ultimate goal is to learn technique and develop your understanding and skills which will make you a better dancer overall.  Oftentimes, they take you away from your comfort zone and expose areas you need to work on.  They are a great tool to utilize for growth.  Plus when you finish, hopefully you can share the knowledge with other dancers in your circle of folklorico influence.


While dancing with Imagenes, they had a guest teacher come and show us the region of Colima.  This particular teacher had spent time in Mexico to learn Colima regional dances and all the nuances and specifics that make that region unique.  She spent several weeks with us, giving master classes and working with us to learn the material.  Although I never fully learned the dances, nor performed them for that matter, it was fun to be exposed to them.  They reminded me a little bit of the Jalisco style of dancing.  I could also see some influence from Michoacan dances too.  This makes sense to me now because Jalisco and Michoacan are neighbors to Colima.  I am so happy that I am growing in my understanding of Mexico and the intertwining of influence and culture.


Here is a little history on Colima courtesy of eHow.com:

"Colima is located in west central Mexico and is bordered by the state of Jalisco to the north, east and west.  The state of Michoacan is south east and the Pacific Ocean is to the south.  Although Colima is one of Mexico's smallest states, it is a favorite with its tropical beaches, extraordinary scenery and rich history.  "Colima," in the indigenous Nahuatl language, translates to, "place conquered by our grandparents" or, "place where the older God dominates, " according to the ColimaMagic.com website.  The Otomi, Nahuatl, Tolteca, Chichimeca and Tarasca cultures thrived between approximately 2000 B.B. and 1000 A.D., as stated on History.com.  The Spanish arrived around 1522, led by Juan Rodrigues de Villafuentes, Juan Alvarez Chico, and Cristobal de Olid.  After obvious and successful resistance from the native people, a battle was won by Gonzalo de Sandoval in 1523 and a Spanish settlement was formed,  In 1540, a road was constructed between Colima and Mexico City and Colima became know as a center of commerce.  The fight for Mexican independence started in 1810 and Colima became a Mexican State in 1857.  Today, Colima is part of 'The Magic Towns of Mexico," a program of the tourism ministry that encourages economic development and restores and preserves cultural heritage."

Here are a couple video links of Colima dances being performed by Images of Mexico.  Enjoy!  Note:  These are informal videos that are not costumed performances.


and


I'm going to learn them eventually and hopefully have an opportunity to perform them someday! 

In addition to learning dances, steps, history and choreography, workshops also provide technique building exercises and routines.  These are called "technica".  I would compare it a pianist practicing scales or Hanon exercises or a vocalist practicing Vaccai methodology.  Technica is often shortened to sound like "tee-kah", which I am not sure exactly how to spell it, perhaps tica, teca, techca, teka, teche or techa works!  Take your pick!  Anyways, here is a short video of technica:   


In December 2012, Herencia Mexicana IE held a workshop for some folklorico students at Franklin Elementary School in Redlands, California.  That Saturday morning Richard taught the region of Jalisco with the help of a couple of us from the IE group.  It was fun to help out that day and the students caught on quick!  Oh to be young again!  I can't wait to go back and do it again someday. 



Here is what the Houston Institute for Culture states about the Jalisco region:


"The Spanish colonized this area for an extended time. The men wore the big sombreros and the traditional Spanish charro suit with the silver studs on the pants and a big bow. The women folklorico wear is a ranchero design dress with unmistakable Indian influenced bright colored ribbons. This is the national representation for Mexican dance as is the Mexican hat dance which comes from this state. Jarabes, which means "sweet syrup," are best known as many of the dances are those of courtship and very flirtatious. This is also the birthplace of los mariachis -- the orchestras with trumpets, acoustics, violins."
 

On Saturday January 26, 2013 Danzantes Del Sol presented a Guerrero and Tamaulipas Workshop at South El Monte High School.  The region of Guerrero was taught by maestro Joel Sandoval.  The region of Tamaulipas was taught by maestro Rafael Valpuesta.  Both men are studied and experienced dancers.  I wanted to have the experience of going to an official folklorico workshop.  So I signed up to go.  I wanted to see if I could keep up in the classes with other dancers.  I also wanted to learn as much as I could.  It was do or die time!


The day started bright and early with a 9:00 am registration time.  The cost for both regions was $50.00 per person which included a copy of the music.  After several cups of coffee and a light breakfast it was time to get started.  At 10:00 am the event kicked off with the region of Guerrero. 


Here is what The Houston Institute for Culture states about Guerrero dancing:

"Guerrero is a tropical state on the Pacific coast. It was not only a haven to Asian influences that strayed and landed on its coast, but also a haven for run-away black slaves. In a presentation coordinated by the state of Guerrero, I witnessed a dance that looked like an old cliché about Africans dancing around a fire and being chased by a tiger. This was one of the folk dances archived by African slaves. The Africans also brought us the drum rhythms of cumbias and salsas. The Spanish slave trade distributed the sound in all of the Latin countries. I also heard a very Mexican sounding music from a line-up of Mexicans dressed in the traditional white pants and shirt, palm weave hat and huaraches. The women wore a shift dress with embroidered flowers, and their hair up in a bun. What was different? One appeared European looking; one black; one Asian; one Indian; and one was mestizo... the Mexican melting pot."

The Guerrero portion of the workshop lasted from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and then there was a break for lunch.  Guerrero dancing is done with a bandanna in hand that is twirled while dancing.  The bandanna is also used to communicate with your partner, which is something specific that I learned from this workshop.  One aspect of Guerrero is that has a lot of turns in many of the dances.  That makes this wedo get dizzy!  All that spinning at my ages makes my core unstable.  Call me Weeble Wobble! 

When I first joined Herencia, Richard was teaching Guerrero.  It was one of the first dances I learned, although I have never performed it.  I remember how amazed I was and the joy I felt as I started to get the footwork down.  I could hardly believe that I was doing it and that the sound of the steps were actually coming from me!  I worked so hard because I wanted to impress Richard and for others to take me seriously.  With no real previous dance training, I had a lot to prove.  Richard enjoyed the Guerrero workshop so much that he invited Joel Sandoval to come hold a workshop for Herencia during our Guerrero segment of the 2013 dance schedule.  More on that in a bit. 


After  a light lunch consisting of hot dogs, nachos, cupcakes, chocolate, fruit and Gatorade - seriously, the workshop resumed with Tamaulipas.  This portion of the workshop lasted from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm.  Quite a contrast to the Guerrero.  I was particularly interested in this portion because Herencia was in the Tamaulipas segment of their 2013 dance repertoire.  Richard had already taught the group two Tamaulipas dances.  Now I would have an additional dance to add to my list!  I was a bit uneasy from all the spinning from the Guerreros that I found myself somewhat off center.  Through the whole Tamaulipas instruction, the teacher kept saying "dance from your core", "center yourself" and "stay grounded". 


I loved the Tamailipas because it was a slower dance that was different from many that I have seen and the ones Richard had taught me.  This one has a lot of fluid ballet movement and is very dramatically theatrical.  The song was about the fascination or myth of sirens or mermaids which is fitting for Tamaulipas as it lies next to the ocean.  From my understanding, the mermaids were tales that the men of the sea told that were actually based on the discovery of manatees in the ocean, which are common in The Gulf of Mexico.  As embellishment, fantasy and exaggeration carried out, folk tales and myths developed, resulting in the creature we call the mermaid.  What a contrast between the two - mermaids and manatees.

 
Here is what The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company Of Chicago via Jose Luis Ovalle states about The State of Tamaulipas:


"The Northeastern state of Tamaulipas is one of the most prosperous states in Mexico. Its original name "Tamaholipa" has become a controversy among the experts. Some say it means "Place of prayer", while others believe it means "Place of high mountains". Facing the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the East, and bordering Texas to the North, Veracruz and San Luis Potosí to the South, and Nuevo León to the West, Tamaulipas is the cross road between Northeastern and Central Mexico.  In colonial times, the state was part of the Spanish province of Nueva Santander, which included Southeastern Texas. Tamaulipas boasts a powerful economy based on oil, cattle, agriculture an tourism.

The Border Region:  Aside from their obvious impact between Mexico and Texas, Matamoros, Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo are very popular frontier towns because all three are close to Monterrey (The industrial capital of Mexico) and offer a straight journey to Mexico City and Veracruz as well as immediate entry into the U.S. El Norte, as this region is referred to is also the home of polkas and other European rhythms brought into Mexico in the mid 1800's. (See Tracalada Norteña)

The Central Region:  This area is shaped by the spectacular Sierra Madre Oriental, abundant in natural resources and also the home of Ciudad Victoria, the state capital. The abundant resources are a reason for celebration, and it is reflected in the typical dance of the region, called "Picota". Jumps, leaps, turns, hops and constant choreographic motion characterize this rhythm, which is believed to be a distant relative of Scottish folk dancing (brought into Mexico at the same time as the Polka). The music is provided by a drum and a clarinet.."Pito y Tambora".

La Huasteca Tamaulipeca:  Central to Southern Tamaulipas is known La Huasteca (Nahuatl: Land of gourds). It is a region of sub-tropical weather that encompasses parts of seven states and is located near the Gulf of Mexico. Tampico, Cd. Mante, and Tula are the most popular cities of la Huasteca Tamaulipeca. The liveliest Huapangos (Nahuatl: Dancing on a platform) come from this region.  The Huapango is a culture onto itself. It evolved from Spanish music interpreted and altered by the natives. Its closest relatives: Seguidillas and Fandangos are the two saddest forms of flamenco. However, la Huasteca is also a land of abundance (Including vast oil deposits), so the languorous "Cante Moro" or "Sorrowful singing" that accompanies Spanish music is transformed into a falsetto of joyous celebration.  The dancers wear their best chamois leather galas of local manufacture and the fiddler improvises musical passages and verses in a fast, light-paced melody. The Huapango is one perfect example of Mexican "Mestizo" (Mixed origin) culture."

This workshop exposed many, many areas that I need to improve upon.  I was amazed at how even basic steps presented challenges to me.  I couldn't believe it.  But overall, I think I did alright.  There was a wide range of experience between the dancers that took the class which I am certain presented a challenge to the teachers.  But we all got through it and I left with a sense of accomplishment and development.  One of the parents commented to me that I was "extremely focused".  I wanted to make sure I kept up.  Mentally and physically, it was exhausting.  You really had to pay attention in order to keep up because they move right along - with or without you!  After the workshop ended, it was off to folklorico practice with Herencia for another two hours.  By the end of the day, I had been on my feet for 7 hours dancing.  My legs were shot!  Aches and pains, aches and pains!  About an hour into Herencia's practice my legs cramped up.  They had enough and weren't having any more of it.  It took me a few days to recover!







 


On March 16, 2013 Herencia had Joel Sandoval come out to continue his Guerrero teaching.  Three hours of intense practice ensued.  We worked on two Guerrero dances that were different than the one we learned in the previous workshop.  So, I have been exposed to four Guerrero dances total.  Guerrero is a challenging region.  Not only do you need to focus on your footwork and the movement, but you have the added feature of the bandanna being held, twirled and flipped.  A coordination nightmare for someone lacking coordination.  That would be me! 

















Of the four regions I have shared about this week, I have to say Tamaulipas is my favorite.  Perhaps that's biased because I have performed it and I like the fringed costume.  I have also performed Jalisco.  As I have stated several times before, Jalisco is challenging for me as it requires a lot of energy and a bit more assertiveness to dance it.  I think I would probably like Jalisco more if my sombrero fit my big head better too.  That would be less of a distraction and I would be able to focus on the dancing more, resulting in better performances.  I have a strong Colima curiosity and I want to conquer the Guerrero too.  Who knows!  Perhaps my opinion will change in the future and I will have a new favorite.   

It was nice to get a fresh perspective.  I think that it can make you more flexible when you learn to study under different people; however, I would recommend that you have some experience under your belt before you go exploring.  Otherwise you may get frustrated.  Plus, exploration is no substitution for your dedication to your own "home" group.


There you have it - The Big Wedo's experience with folklorico workshops.  One event I would like to experience is the Danzantes Unidos Festival.  Danzantes Unidos happens every year and many folklorico dancers from around the world travel to California to experience three days of workshops, performances, lectures, and classes.  This is something that I look forward to.  Of course, you'll know when I go because I'll be blogging about it!

In closing, I would like to mention that this week I started a folklorico boot camp.  What's that exactly?  I'm learning several new dances for a big show coming up in a couple weeks in Denver, Colorado.  Therefore, I'm calling it "Boot Camp"!  Yes that's right, Denver!  The kickoff of our National Tour?  I sure hope so!  If you're in the Denver area, make sure you come see us at Pridefest on June 15th & 16th.  Herencia is dancing on the "Orgullo Latino he Llegado" stage throughout both days.  Come say "hello".  Until next week, wedo out!

Contact Information for "The Big Wedo":

Google E-mail: onebigwedo@gmail.com
Facebook: One Big Wedo (Guero)
Twitter: Michael Smith @onebigwedo
Blogger: www.onebigwedo.blogspot.com

Contact Information for Ballet Folklorico de Herencia Mexicana:

Richard Solorzano, Director: (909) 201-1957
Facebook: Herencia Mexicana
E-Mail: Bf_herencia_mexicana@yahoo.com

Note: Looking for your own adventure or journey? Herencia is a great place to find one! Herencia Mexicana practices in Duarte, California.  Folklorico lessons and performances are both available. Herencia Mexicana performs for private & public events of all kinds. Book your event today! Herencia Mexicana welcomes new students. No previous folklorico or dance experience required.
All are welcome.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Images Of Mexico - Week 21

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everybody!  Here we are again!  Another week has past and it's time for another One Big Wedo blog post.  So here you have it.  This week I want to share my experience of the time I spent with Imagenes De Mexico Ballet Folklorico.  But before we begin, I want say thank you to everyone who has supported the blog.  This week One Big Wedo exceeded 2000 pageviews!  It wouldn't have happened without everyone's help in promoting and sharing it.  Hats off to you!  I am amazed at all the activity this week from all over the world!  People are discovering One Big Wedo!  Keep doing what you're doing because it's working!


In the beginning, I went with Richard to many rehearsals and practices for the various dance groups he was involved with.  In addition to being the director and instructor for Herencia, the group his family founded, he was a dancer in other groups in Southern California.  So weekly, I would go and observe, trying to absorb as much as I could.  One of those groups was Imagenes De Mexico or Images Of Mexico, whichever you prefer.  The group gave him inspiration and challenged him.  He was very proud to be part of it.  Every Saturday morning he would go and practice with them in Covina, California.  I would sit on the sidelines and watch the student's footwork closely as they drilled steps and technique.  The group was composed of all skilled advanced dancers and veterans of folklorico.   


Their classes moved rather quickly and they didn't break down the steps, no need to when everyone there already knew what to do.  Hours were spent conditioning and pushing themselves to their limits in hopes of reaching the next level of folklorico excellence.  While they were in agony and sweating away, I would be relaxed and enjoying myself.  Complex and difficult material was taught.  Most of the dancers were paid professionals that had impressive resumes of rich performing history.  Several of them danced in multiple groups or were instructors or directors of other groups.  What was a wedo doing there?  I was watching and feeling completely out of place.


Week after week I would go and sit.  Over time they invited me to do their warm ups with them and before long I was attempting to do some dancing with them too.  Not wanting to compromise my loyalty to Herencia, I inquired of Richard if this was a good thing for me to do.  He encouraged it, so I continued to practice with them.  My thought was I could build technique and get experience dancing which would ultimately make me a better dancer for Herencia.  That's how I justified it.  I had no intention of ever performing with them at that time. 


Speaking of the warm-ups, my niece came out to visit me in August 2011 - you may recall me writing about it in my post "Competition Movie Time!", she wanted to hit the gym with me during her visit.  The day after her arrival, she came to practice with Richard and I.  Since she wanted to exercise, I encouraged her to join in the warm-ups and conditioning exercises.  To make a long story short, she did.  Suddenly she became aware of muscles and joints she never knew she had.  She was so sore afterwards, that was all the exercising she did the whole week.  The rest of her time with me she was recovering.  She was surprised because she thought she was a fairly active and fit individual.  I experienced a similar kind of shock when I started dancing too.  We laughed about it all week long as every time she moved, her body reminded her what she had done to it.


I went to several of Imagenes' performances in LA area restaurants and venues and watched them perform.  They performed at Stages A Theatre (Bartco Theatre) in Los Angeles for their Day of the Dead production in November 2011 which was awesome and amazing.  In March 2012, they were featured on the news in a segment called "22 Segundos De Fama" which translates to "22 Seconds of Fame".  Check out the link below to view the video:



Often times I would be their camera man and take pictures of them at their performances.  The photos I have included in this post were mostly taken by me, unless of course I'm in the photo myself. 


With the help of Richard, I learned my first Chihuahua dance from the Images of Mexico repertoire.  It was called "Evangelina".  I also learned my first version of Jarabe Tapitio from them.  Richard worked extensively at home with me to help me get these two dances down.  He broke the steps down for me so that I could get them.  Thank you Richard.  I couldn't have done it without you, you make things possible!  


An event, The 2nd Annual Viva La Vida, to support and raise money for the fight against Breast Cancer came along and I was invited to perform the Jarabe Tapitio with Images of Mexico.  It was held at Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Montebello, California.  This was my first time performing with Imagenes and they made it an extra special night for me.  I felt like a king.  They treated me like they were bestowing on me some sort of "mantle" or "passing of the torch" that night.  Which was kind of awkward since I was the oldest man there.  It typically goes the other direction   Oh that's it, they were respecting their elders!  It suddenly makes sense to me now.  It really was a privilege to be asked and to be included, I was just a beginner after all.  I performed that night with Jessica Ramos to live mariachi music.  Just one dance, The Jarabe Tapitio.  You can see the video of my performance by clicking on the link below:

  

I was proud of my performance that night, considering all my inexperience and limited dance training.  I thought I did pretty good for a beginner.  Several people in the audience were also surprised that I did as well as I did, especially for being a wedo!  To date, this has been my one and only official performance at a restaurant.  After the show the emcee of the evening jumped up on stage to ask me a question.  Basically he asked, "Who taught you to dance that?"  I was so nervous that even though they asked me the question in English, he might as well been speaking "Charlie Brown" because all I heard was "wa wa wa wa wa"!  Typically, people assume that you speak Spanish if you dance folklorico.  That's understandable.  This time, I assumed he was speaking Spanish and I asked Jessica what he was saying.  Then after it clicked, all I could say was "Chilo and Richard".  Good job wedo! 


Some interesting facts from this night include:  It was my first time wearing the Imagenes bow tie.  I was so honored and proud to wear it and to be even considered worthy enough to adorn it.  Something else that I thought was funny is they painted my eyebrows on.  The wedo has light eyebrows, at times they almost appear not to exist at all.  At least they didn't go all "Frida" on me!  They also darkened my goatee.  Back then it wasn't as grey as it is now, but a little paint was necessary to touch it up.  These days it takes the whole bucket.  UGH! 


Another event that I had the opportunity to dance with Images Of Mexico was at  the Dorado Cultural Heritage Foundation Fundraiser.  I performed both the Jarabe Tapitio and the Evangelina dances.  I performed with Herencia Mexicana that day as well.  At this performance I danced the Jarabe Tapitio to live mariachi!  Voces de Mexico mariachi performed that day and what an opportunity for me, a beginner, to dance with such amazing and well known musicians.  Imagenes really provided me with a rare opportunity for someone with my experience.  It is something I will always cherish.



I'm hoping to add a link someday of the Evangelina dance from Chihuahua we performed at this event.  Please check back to see if it gets upload to YouTube for your viewing enjoyment.  Richard danced with Norma and I danced with Cindy for the Evangelina that day.  Below is the only picture I have of it to share.  After someone added the bear, they sent it to me on my phone!  Priceless!  One observation I have made from watching videos of Richard and I dancing is that we dance well together and in sync.  That's important to me because ultimately I want to dance like my teacher - Richard.


Some other things I can credit to my time with Imagenes are they are responsible for exposing me to dances from Colima.  They provided some master classes/workshops on dances from Colima.  I really liked them and would like to learn them so I can perform them one day.  Another thing I learned from them was one way to tie the sash/ribbon in a bow/knot for La Bomba, a courtship dance that signifies a couple getting married or "tying the knot".  As I write this, I'm curious if I still remember how to do it.  Note to self - try to do the knot.  There are several ways of tying it, I learned one of the ways here.


I really enjoyed my time with Imagenes.  I think that I was progressing faster while I was dancing with them.  In the fall of 2012 I went back to college and my folklorico time was cut way back.  Plus, after learning their version of Jarabe Tapitio, I had to learn Herencia's version and I started to feel like I was spending a lot of time learning multiple versions of the same dance.  I wanted variety.  Plus at my age, well, things get confusing and jumbled up a bit.  No need to complicate the matter by learning several versions of the same dance.  It was the end of a season for me and Imagenes.  I left the group to focus solely on Herencia.  However, I did get to dance one last time with them at Mananitas, Misa y Fiesta de Celebracion a la Virgen de Guadalupe in December 2012 - The Jarabe Tapitio of course!


As things go in dance groups, there's a lot of drifting and shuffling around of dancers between different groups, people leave and move on to other things in life and others leave for new opportunities.  Such is the case for both  Herencia and Imagenes.  There is always movement going on which presents a lot of challenges for groups.  I wrote about that back on week 15.  Richard got a call and was asked if he would like to teach Imagenes dancers some of Herencia's material.  He agreed and starting this month, May 2013.  We are back dancing with Images of Mexico and this time I am learning Herencia dances!  I love it.  Plus I am learning several other dances from other instructors, which is cool because they are dances I don't know.  I'm glad to be back!


So that's where things are at now.  The wedo is dancing with both Herencia and Imagenes!  It's good to be dancing.  That's it!  Be sure to check out Images Of Mexico on Facebook.  There are many pictures and videos for your viewing enjoyment on their timeline. 

In closing, I want to share with my readers a new cd on the market that is a must have for any mariachi music lover.  Congratulations Melinda Salcido on your solo debut album, Chiquitita.  Visit MELINDA on Facebook to get details as to where to buy your copy today.  T-shirts are also available.  Melinda's page is listed as a musician/band on Facebook.  On a side note, Melinda has seen me dance a couple times!  Below are pictures of her new album and Richard and I sporting our new Melinda wear!  I love it.  Until next week everyone, wedo out!  Get the cd!



Contact Information for "The Big Wedo":

Google E-mail: onebigwedo@gmail.com
Facebook: One Big Wedo (Guero)
Twitter: Michael Smith @onebigwedo
Blogger: www.onebigwedo.blogspot.com

Contact Information for Ballet Folklorico de Herencia Mexicana:

Richard Solorzano, Director: (909) 201-1957
Facebook: Herencia Mexicana
E-Mail: Bf_herencia_mexicana@yahoo.com

Note: Looking for your own adventure or journey? Herencia is a great place to find one! Folklorico lessons and performances are both available. Herencia Mexicana performs for private & public events of all kinds. Book your event today! Herencia Mexicana welcomes new students. No previous folklorico or dance experience required.
All are welcome.