I Believe In Herencia - Week 11

Thank you everyone for reading and your continued support.  Many of you have shared my blog with your friends and family.  It shows!  More and more people are reading it.  This week the countries of France, Ghana and Ukraine checked in.  Welcome to the journey.  I'm still working on that world tour!  Any sponsors out there?  Send me an email and let's get this started!  Perhaps Pope Francis would like to host an event.  Folklorico On The Vatican sounds good to me!  Wouldn't that be something?  Please keep on sharing and spreading the word that there's a folklorico dancing guero with a blog!  With about 7 billion people in the world, there's a lot of work to be done.  I'm working toward 1000 page views this week!  Word of mouth works best, especially since I can't afford to pay for marketing or advertising.

I want to remind everyone that you can get weekly updates on new postings by either following me on Google, Twitter, Facebook or Blogger.  My Facebook page, One Big Wedo (Guero), has 14 likes now!  Please, if you haven't already "Liked"  my page, take a visit and do so.  It helps me interact with those who are reading.  Plus, I post pictures, updates and show performances on Facebook in addition to those on here.  All the up-to-date wedo news!  Thanks for visiting!

This week's post is about why I chose Ballet Folklorico de Herencia Mexicana for my dancing journey.  I have already shared about how I met Richard Solorzano and got started with Herencia Mexicana in my posting called, "In The Beginning."  Now I want to share with the world why I have stayed with Herencia Mexicana and my involvement with them in addition to being a student and performer. 

I Believe In Herencia

In the fall of 2011, before officially joining Herencia Mexicana in October, I was very excited and wanted to get involved.  I was assigned a few things to do for the group in additional to learning some basic steps.  One of the projects was a bulletin board to advertise the group at events.  Herencia was preparing for their big show at the LA County Fair and this was a way of occupying my time while I waited to begin classes and practices.  Plus they had a booth at an upcoming event in Azusa to promote the group in the community and this was something I could do.  Here is a picture of the board I made.  The board has weathered a bit, but it still does the trick and it has been used at several events to promote the group.

In 2012, Herencia expanded the group into the Inland Empire area in California, creating two separate chapters:  Duarte, California in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino, California in San Bernardino County (The Inland Empire).  The Inland Empire, locally known as the I.E., is the metropolitan area in Southern California located east of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.  Along with the launch of the Inland chapter came lots of work to get it up and ready.  So I helped Richard to get everything set up.  After the group started meeting for classes, in addition to being a student myself, I began to assist Richard with Facebook updates, practice reminders and advertisements on Craigslist.  He taught the classes and made the announcements and I did the paperwork and the clerical stuff. 

In the fall of 2012, both groups took the holidays off.  During the break, I worked with Richard to set the 2013 group calendar and helped organize a group practice schedule.  We developed a group recognition program to award the dancers for outstanding performance and for going above and beyond.  In the fall of this year, we will be having our 2013 group performance and recognition event to celebrate The Day Of The Dead and the achievements of the members in the group.  Something to look forward to and I will definitely post it on Facebook for everyone to see. 

In 2013, I have been helping in securing an official studio for the Inland chapter to practice at.  I help with the Duarte group as well now:  collecting dues, sending emails, taking attendance, updating Facebook, typing up documents and the like.  Recently, I helped arrange the Guerrero Workshop we had on Saturday.  This year we also started a music database to store all the versions of music that Herencia uses in their performances and practices. The repertoire of music is extensive and its nice having it all in one spot for easy access.  And let's not forget about acquiring all the costuming too, you can read more about that in the week 5 post, "What To Wear!"  I guess I've become one of the director's assistants.

To top it off, in 2013 I started to donate financially to the group.  The dues and show donations that are collected go towards the cost of the costumes for the dancers who perform.  All the money gets reinvested into the group.  The rest of the cost fell on Richard.  So I decided to pitch in.  I contribute the cost of the weekly studio costs for the Duarte group.  I have also been involved in discussions about fundraising to cover the costs of the group, ideas are in the works.  No, not gourmet bacon truffles or lettuce for $20 a head!

As I have previously stated before, a future project I would like to tackle is to write a book about Richard Solorzano and the history of Herencia Mexicana.  This book would document all his personal dancing legacy and serve as a record of the dance group as well.  Another undertaking I would like to be involved in is the preservation of the group for the years to come.  This would include video documenting all the dances Richard has labored to construct and choreograph over the 23 years.  Part of this would also be an interview and instructional on the Herencia Mexicana style, which sets the group apart from others.  These videos would be passed down to the group's future directors and instructors to keep the original founding vision and preserve the work of the founder. 

Another area I would like to see happen is scholarships for dancers.  I believe there are many, even a plethora of talented folklorico dancers out there in communities waiting for the opportunity to be discovered.  Some may not be able to afford to pay for the low monthly dues and it has kept them from exploring folklorico.  I want everyone to be able to experience and discover their abilities and this would be one more way to help people become all they can be. 

On a more personal note, I would like to see a big Herencia Mexicana production in 2014.  That would make an excellent goal for my 40th birthday!  Now would be the time to join and learn the dances to be part of the production.  Who want to join me?  Any takers out there?  And lastly, exclusively for the world tour, I would like to put together a wedo dance that would encompass all the different folklorico steps Ive learned.  What to see it?  Book the tour!
    

So what would make me want to volunteer, dance and support Herencia Mexicana?  Why exactly did I join Herencia Mexicana for my dancing journey?  There are many folklorico groups out there to choose from.  Large academy dance groups to small recreational community groups.  Yes, you can say there are a plethora!  To be honest, I didn't do much shopping around, Herencia was the right match for me.  Perhaps it's a right match for you too!  Welcome to the Herencia commercial!   Here are twelve reasons why I joined Herencia Mexicana and "Believe In" it:

1.)  The Instructor:  Richard Solorzano has been dancing for over 23 years.  He is one of the original founders of Herencia Mexicana and the last of the original dancers in the group.  He has an extensive repertoire of dances and has an outstanding ability to teach.  He brings the experience of dancing with many folklorico groups and has performed all over California for a variety of events.  He volunteers his time to the group and invests his own money into it because he believes in Herencia too.

2.)  The Instruction:  Folk dancing originally had no formal training and people learned by observing.  Some dance groups still teach this way.  You're expected just to pick it up.  At Herencia Mexicana, the steps are explained and broken down for the students.  For someone like me, that has no previous folklorico training, this made it possible for me to learn it right.  Plus the instructors are bilingual, both Spanish and English speaking.  Students are communicated to  in the language they are comfortable with, so they are able to get the training.  I have seen many dancers develop and advance quickly.  Even accomplished dancers can improve on their skills and grow.

3.)  Performing Opportunities:  Herencia Mexicana has plenty of performance opportunities for their students.  Students get to perform as long as they learn the material and can execute it well.  I like that Herencia has built a respected name for itself and that many people seek them out for their events.  I like that Herencia provides entertainment for common people at a very reasonable cost.  Big productions are nice and possible, but dancing for everyday people keeps folk dancing tradition alive.

4.)  Affordability:  The monthly dues for the group are very affordable for everyone.  This makes it possible for more people to join and be a part of the action.  Plus, with the group providing the costumes for the performing students, that huge financial burden is removed.
 
5.)  Community:  Herencia attracts all kinds of people with a range of experience!  There are beginners to seasoned dancers.  Herencia does not discriminate.  They are very inclusive.
   
6.)  The Costumes:  Although I personally purchased my own costumes, Herencia provides the costumes for their performing dancers.  They are professional quality.  Herencia provides the best for their performers.  Beautiful and elaborate custom made costumes and jewelry that really give that dancer a sense of pride, respect and appreciation.  You only have one chance to make that first impression.

7.)  Environment:  Herencia provides a professional environment for their students to learn.  Herencia was founded by a family and is family based.  Over the years whole families have joined, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, cousins, brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters, sisters and brothers.  You get the idea.  Also, Herencia is a great place to make friends and interact with other dancers.  Herencia builds relationships through dance. 

8.)  The Herencia Style:   I love the unique style of the group.  Herencia has a rich flavor and fun style that sets them apart from other dance companies.  Many groups stick to the Amalia Hernandez style of folklorico dancing, which is fine.  Herencia combines the traditional with originality, resulting in beautiful and refreshing art.

9.)  Vision & Attitude:  The leadership have the right vision and attitude.  They are not self seeking.  They are dedicated to do their part in preserving the art of folklorico dance and pass it down to the future.  They believe in giving everyone a chance.  I believe they have a good approach.  They believe in what they are doing. 

10.)  Challenge:  Herencia Mexicana attracts experienced dancer by presenting entertaining and refreshing choreography and dances.  Dancers enjoy learning something different for a change and the challenge that comes with learning different versions of the various folklorico dances.  Herencia offers originality and character that audiences enjoy.  They have built a respected reputation that many seek.

11.)  Adventure:  There are many opportunities with Herencia.  You can get involved on many levels.  The potential is there.  You can create your own folklorico adventure.  Start your journey today!  It's fun.

12.)  Mission, Values & Purpose:  Herencia Mexicana is dedicated to keeping the art of Mexican folk dancing alive and embraces the values of tradition, culture, family and heritage.  These values are captured in the group's mission statement.  Herencia has a solid foundation to build a folklorico dancing future upon.

I could go on and on ranting and raving over the group.  There are numerous health benefits to dancing too, although the group itself is not an aerobic exercise class, it does get you in shape!  Okay that's enough!  I will stop.  My dancing journey was made possible because of Herencia Mexicana.  If you are in the Southern California area and want to dance, come on board.  Membership enrollment is open!

In closing, folklorico dancing incorporates dance styles from all over the world.  I covered that last week in my post, "What is Folk Dancing?"  I may not have had the opportunity to travel all over the world, to many countries, but I have gotten to see the world and experience it through folklorico dancing.  It's like taking one big dance trip!  I have a dream that one day there will be a plethora of wedos dancing folklorico and going on the trip with me!  Until next week, this wedo is 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!  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.

What Is Folk Dancing? - Week 10

Hello Canada!  Welcome to the journey!  On Saturday this week I performed dances from the state of Tamaulipas for the first time!  Check me out in my new costume.  The two songs I danced were  La Calandria, performed by Linda Ronstadt, and La Chimenea.  The performance went well and considering all the challenges faced, I rated myself an A-/B+.  It was one of my better performances.  

I hope everyone enjoyed reading last week's post.  As we enter the Easter season, I face more delectable chocolate temptations.  What's the latest assault on my waistline?  The Cadbury Creame Egg.  You either love them or hate them.  They are an Easter holiday tradition.  I've been eating them since childhood and I love them.  I vaguely recall the television commercials which aired back in the day.  Chocolate propaganda geared at brainwashing children to eat those wonderfully delicious eggs.  They worked on me!  I've never stopped eating them. 

In a moment of vocabulary enlightenment during last week's blog, "Three Challenges", I used the word plethora!  What an awesome word, plethora.  As I was thinking about the word this week, I decided I needed to check and make sure I used it correctly.  In the course of my web search, one of the page results for plethora was this YouTube video of a scene from The Three Amigos.  It's called "What Is A Plethora?"  I thought, "well how fitting!"  So I am providing a link here for your viewing entertainment.
   

http://youtu.be/-mTUmczVdik

This week I want to explore the topic of folk dancing and define what it is and some it's roots.  There are several interesting and informative resources on the web that go into great depth on the subject of folk dancing.  By no means is this post an exhaustive resource.  I encourage everyone to research and explore the topic for themselves.  Here is some of what I enjoyed learning.

FOLK DANCING: 

Folk Dancing is defined as a popular dance, considered as part of the tradition or custom of a particular people.  According to Wikipedia, the term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:

• Dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditionally based music.
• Dances not generally designed for public performance or the stage, though may be later arranged and set for stage.
• Execution dominated by an inherited tradition rather than innovation (though folk traditions change over time)
• New dancers often learn informally by observing others and/or receiving help from others.

More controversially, some people define folk dancing as dancing for which there is no governing body or dancing for which there are no competitive or professional performances. 

Wikipedia goes on to state:

The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to dances of historical importance in European culture and history; typically originated before the 20th century.  For other cultures the terms "ethnic dance" or "traditional dance" are sometimes used, although the latter terms may encompass ceremonial dances. 

There are a number of modern dances, such as hip hop dance, that evolve spontaneously, but the term "folk dance" is generally not applied to them, and the terms "street dance" or "vernacular dance" are used instead.  The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances which are to a significant degree bound by tradition and originated in the times when the distinction existed between the dances of  "common folk" and the dances of the "high society". 

There is a good example of this in the movie Titanic.  Titanic sailed in 1912.  Jack is invited to dinner with the first class and high society after supposedly saving Rose from falling off the ship, although she was considering suicide.  Do you remember?  After dinner, Jack challenges Rose to meet him at the grand staircase.  Rose accepts the challenge and they spend a night of what some considered, reckless fun.  There is one scene where they go into the belly of the ship where the common folk are playing instruments, dancing and living it up.  Jack and Rose indulge in beer and there is a kind of dance off between the two.  Jack displays his folk dancing best and Rose displays here ballet talents by rising onto the tip of her toes.  Here we see the difference between the two, dances of common people and dances of the trained and studied high society.

Wikipedia concludes with:

A number of modern ballroom dances originated from folk ones.

The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance.  In this sense, nearly all folk dances, such as polka, cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention, e.g., Czech polka vs. German polka.

Not all ethnic dances are folk dances; for example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances.  Ritual dances are usually called "Religious dances" because of their purpose.

There you have it, Wikipedia's take on what is folk dancing with my injection of Titanic.  Folk dancing is the dance of the common people.  It has been passed down through tradition, from generation to generation.  It has survived through oral tradition and lore.  Lore is cultural material and tradition transmitted orally from one generation to another.  Although there are many printed documents and structured resources on folk dancing today, there still remains an element of oral tradition as the maestro or teacher passes on to their students what they have learned.  Folk dancing has evolved through time into the what we see today.  In a future posting, I will explore the development of modern folk dancing.  Much of what audiences experience today are glorified reenactments, visually stunning extravagant productions in comparison to the original core foundations of folk dance.

MEXICAN FOLK DANCING:

Developed over five centuries, the Mexican folk dance is seeped in the history and culture of Mexico
According to Wikipedia, folk dance of Mexico covers a wide range of dance forms that evolved from the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire (February 1519 - August 13, 1521) to about 1750.  [These dances have continued to evolve in the 19th and 20th centuries.  Now, in the 21st century, these dances continue to be enjoyed and developed by dance groups and instructors around the globe.]  These dance forms derived from the country's indigenous, European and , to some extent, African heritages.  While dance had been an important part of the country's pre Hispanic history, most of these [original] dances were either eliminated by evangelization or modified with only few dance forms surviving mostly intact.

There are many resources that go into great depth regarding the development of folk dancing in Mexico.  One that I enjoyed reading was on Buzzle.com:  Facts about the Mexican Folk Dancing.  One dance, The Jarabe Tapitio, stands out among the many.  Here is what Buzzle states about The Jarabe Tapitio:

The Jarabe Tapatio:  Often considered to be synonymous to Mexican dancing itself, the Jarabe Tapatio or 'the Mexican hat dance' is one of the most beloved dance forms in Mexico.  This traditional dance form is considered as the national dance of Mexico.  Having originated in the state of Jalisco, the Jarabe Tapatio is a courting dance, where the man tries to romantically sway a woman into courtship.  While the women wear the traditional china poblana, which includes a fringed blouse, a skirts and a shawl, the men are dressed in an ornate charro or cowboy suit.  The dance gained immense popularity when the famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, incorporated it in her repertoire.

Starting in the early 16th century when the Spanish arrived in Mexico, outside dances such as the waltz, ballet, polka and schottische, greatly influenced the indigenous dance forms.  Subsequent conquests allowed the German, French, Spanish and Italian dances, to mingle with the original folk dance.  This resulted in the emergence of three dance forms of Mexican folk dance:  danza, mestizo and bailes regionales.  Danza is an indigenous ritual dance, performed in religious or community settings.  Mestizo showcases western influences on the indigenous dance, in either steps or the theme.  Bailes regionales or the region dances, are a manifestation of the dance form by each community, usually presented in community and theatrical performances.  So Mexican folk dancing covers a wide rage of dances, used in a variety of settings, for a variety of purposes.

In addition to traditional dances and dance forms, traditional dance steps and footwork, traditional skirt work, and traditional costuming, there is the music itself.  Folklorico is danced to Mariachi music and other forms of indigenous music.  Many of the songs either tell folk tales, embrace loyalty to Mexico or capture elements of Mexican life.  The music is a reflection of the culture, diversity, lifestyle and everyday experience of the Mexican people.  I have noticed that many of the songs are about birds:  pigeons, roosters and so on.  Lore is a body of traditions and knowledge on a subject, held by a particular group, typically passed from person to person by word of mouth.  Mexican dance, music, holidays and faith are full of lore. 

La Bruja:  The Witch

Let's look at one folklore tale in the music.  I think the song La Bruja, danced from the state of Vera Cruz, is a good example.  There are several recordings of the song with some slight variations in the details of the tale.  Here are the lyrics and English translation of the version from the soundtrack of Frida. 

Ay que bonito es volar

A las dos de la mañana

A las dos de la mañana

Y ay que bonito es volar, ay mama

Volar y dejarse caer

En los brazos de tu hermana

En los brazos de tu hermana

Y hasta quisiera llorar

Me agarra la bruja,

Me lleva al cuartel,

Me vuelve maceta,

Me da de comer

Me agarra la bruja,

Me lleva al cerrito,

Me sienta en sus piernas,

Me da de besitos.

¿Ay dígame ay dígame ay dígame usted

Cuantas creaturitas se ha chupado usted?

Ninguna, ninguna, ninguna no ve

Que ando en pretensions de chuparme a usted

Y ahora sí maldita bruja

Ya te chupastes a mi hijo

Ya te chupastes a mi hijo

Y ahora sí maldita bruja

Y ahora le vas a chupar

Y a tu marido el ombligo

Y a tu marido el ombligo

Y ahora le vas a chupar

Me agarra la bruja,

Me lleva a su casa,

Me vuelve maceta,

Y una calabasa

Me agarra la bruja,

Me lleve al cerrito,

Me sienta en sus piernas,

Me da de besitos.

¿Ay dígame ay dígame ay dígame usted

Cuantas criaturitas se ha chupado usted?

Ninguna, ninguna, ninguna no ve,

Que ando en pretensiones de chuparme a usted

Oh, how lovely it is to fly

At two o'clock in the morning

At two o'clock in the morning

Oh, how lovely it is to fly, oh mother

To fly and let yourself fall

Into your sister's arms

Into your sister's arms

I almost feel like weeping

The witch grabs me,

Takes me to her quarters,

She turns me into a flowerpot,

She feeds me

The witch grabs me,

She takes me to the mountains,

She sits me on her lap,

She smothers me with kisses.

Oh tell me, oh tell me, oh tell me please!

How many children have you sucked dry of life?

I've sucked none, none, none. Can't you see?

It is you who I'm trying to suck the life out of!

And now you'll see wicked witch

You've already sucked away my son

You've already sucked away my son

And now you'll see wicked witch

And now you're about to suck out

your husband's life through his navel

your husbands life through his navel

And now you're about to suck out

The witch grabs me,

Takes me to her quarters,

She turns me into a flowerpot,

And a pumpkin.

The witch grabs me,

She takes me to the mountains,

She sits me on her lap,

She smothers me with kisses.

Oh tell me, oh tell me, oh tell me please!

How many children have you sucked dry of life?

I've sucked none, none, none. Can't you see?

It is you who I'm trying to suck the life out of!



Photos of Folk Dances from Around the World:

Here are some photos from various folk dances from around the world that I found on the web. A resource you can also view photos of folk dancing is Multicultural California's Facebook page.  They also have videos of folk dancing on YouTube.

When it comes to photos and pictures of Mexican folklorico dancing, I prefer those that depict the folk dancing in the original time period it originated.  I like the rawness of them.  They often depict the Jarabe Tapatio dance.  There is one particular mural in a restaurant on Olvera Street that is truly amazing.  The artist did a great job showing the folk dancing couple in a traditional Mexican village, in traditional clothing, in an environment that is authentic and true to the dance.  Here are some other images that I like.

In closing, I want to state that in my opinion much of what we see today as folk dancing is a reproduction and recreation.  Folk dancing has become more of a specialty and a novelty reserved for special occasions or other events that reenact history or periods of time.  Renaissance Festivals and the like are a popular trend.  To some extent it has become a commodity that some have capitalized upon.  In modern society, most just want to be spectators and observe, not participants.  It's not something we see as part of everyday life.  It's not part of the current society's culture.  People who are interested in dancing it, seek out the instruction.  They become students of dance.

Imagine if everyone who went to a Mexican restaurant that provided Mariachi entertainment, got up and danced the Jarabe Tapatio whenever it was played.  Imagine if it were that common, something that everyone did.  To me, that would be a practical and realistic expression of folk dancing that could be part of the current society.  Perhaps in some areas of the world, things like that still happen. 

Recently, I saw a program on television that was dedicated to folklorico dancing and mariachi music.  Everyone in the audience was either a dancer or musician.  All performed on stage in their group at one point during the show.  At the end of the show, everyone on stage and in the audience, played or danced La Negra.  It was something very moving to see.  The camera panned across the auditorium and everywhere you could see, everyone was participating.  In that moment in time, it seemed folk dancing and music were somewhat restored to an earlier purpose.

Whenever I mess up during a performance, I have the tendency to beat myself up.  Usually no one even realizes I messed up, its just my obsession with perfection.  In times like that, I need to keep in mind what it is that I am doing.  Folk dancing.  Although it is entertaining to watch, it wasn't intended to be entertainment originally other than the for the individuals own entertainment and enjoyment in celebrating life, expressing themselves through traditional dances and dance styles.  I need to lay aside the burden of stressing over providing entertainment and focus on getting back to its roots.  Enjoy it for what it is and the rest will take care of itself.  That's a healthy perspective!  Until next week...

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.

Three Challenges - Week 9

Hello Everyone!  Welcome back to the journey.  A special welcome to all the new readers this week, especially those from Russia and Thailand!  Thanks for joining the journey!  The list of countries keeps growing! 

After last week's blog titled, "Who Am I?  A Personal Introduction," I was asked where my family bloodline comes from?  As far as I know, I have ancestry from Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland and French Speaking Canada.  I should have included that, thanks for inquiring.   

I had a significant increase in readership from The United Kingdom this week.  I would enjoy travelling with Herencia to the UK and performing for all of you living there.  A UK tour sounds great!  I've been there before when I was 15 years old.  I was in the 10th grade.  The band went and marched in the Easter Parade in London, England.  I don't recall which park the parade was in exactly.  It was either Hyde Park or Battersea Park.  I checked my passport and we were there from April 10th-19th in 1990.  We also travelled from London up to Edinborough (Or Edinburgh), Scotland and back, stopping at towns and villages along the way.  I'm overdue for a another visit.  Don't you agree? 

This week's blog is a satire about some of the challenges I've encountered while learning to dance and performing.  Some are common for dancers in general.  Please note, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are my own.  They do not represent Herencia Mexicana or Richard Solorzano.  I will admit right from the start, that some of these challenges and expectations are placed upon me by myself and I hope they do not reflect negatively on folklorico dancing or the dance group.  Laugh with me and enjoy the read!

Challenge #1:  Weight

This morning I weighed myself and I am 212 pounds.  Perhaps I ate one too many buffets in Las Vegas this past weekend.  Ugh!  When I first met Richard, I was barely 185 pounds.  Too skinny!  However, the doctor said I was at an ideal weight for a 6'2" male.  Imagine that!  I also had myself evaluated at the gym and they also agreed I was ideal in weight and body fat.  I find that hard to believe because I looked sick.  Regardless, I must have been 185 pounds of pure butter because when I started dancing I sweat like crazy.  There was nothing to sweat, but it was coming from somewhere!  My shirts were soaked and I was dripping from every pore. 

In some folklorico groups (not Herencia Mexicana), the directors tell their performing students that they do not make big costumes.  In other words, if you want to perform on stage you will adjust your body to fit into the costume they make.  They do not make the costume to fit your body.  When I think of dancers, the image that comes to mind is a slender and toned person.  They have conditioned their bodies.  Young people often have an advantage because when your young, you have all the energy in the world and can burn calories like crazy.  As you get older, your body slows down naturally.  I do not have age on my side, but I can control my weight and think being thinner would be better for dancing.  Especially when some of these dances require rapid footwork and lots of sustained energy. 

I was too thin in the beginning and wanted me to gain a little weight.  Eager to do so, I indulged in fast food, soda and was eating everything that guaranteed weight gain.  And I grew.  As I have gotten older I've noticed by body shape has changed.  I was heavier in the past, upwards of 260 pounds, and I didn't look it at all.  This time after I gained the weight, I was told I looked like "a pregnant pencil!"  Just call me yellow No. 2.  Not the desired result.  Then it was clarified to me, "You need a bigger chest, shoulders and arms, not a bigger waistline.  Go to the gym."  OK, got it.  But I don't have time for the gym, my cup is full at the moment.  I'm too busy eating!  I purchased a membership at the local 24 Hour Fitness anyway.  Perhaps spending the money on monthly membership fees would be enough encouragement to get my butt to the gym.  NOT!  I know I need to do it, and trust I would love to have a killer body, but it's not easy and the timing is bad.  Excuses!  Excuses!

In addition, it never fails that someone in the dance group is selling chocolates to support their child.  The dramatic and emphatic sales pitch often goes something like this, "Mijo!  Mijo, the children.  The children are marching in the parade.  The one in Pasadena.  They need money, mijo.  They're selling chocolates."  Now, being in band myself in school, I understand so I ask, "What kind of chocolates?"  Then the reply goes something like this, "Mijo, they are special chocolates!  First they start with bacon.  Yummy bacon and they fry it up in some butter.  Then they roll it in butter cream and coat it with sugar.  Then its dipped in batter and deep fried.  After that they dip it in chocolate made with extra heavy cream and dust it in powered sugar.  They are delicious mijo."  Sounds interesting so I ask, "How much?"  They reply, "Each student needs to raise $1000 for the bus trip across town, so they are $40 a box."  Now the pressure is on and not wanting to appear cheap I say, "Give me two!"  Then they say, "Ok I got them in the car!"  Nothing like immediate delivery!

So now I'm stuck with two boxes of fat and I take them home, hide them in the back of the fridge and try to forget about them.  Sure enough, two weeks later I'm at home starving and feeling extra lazy.  There's no food in the house and I'm so tired that I don't want to go to the grocery store.  Immediately my mind goes straight to those boxes of chocolate.  How bad can they be?  So I try one and they are amazing.  Dinner!  Two boxes later I'm on the couch in a sugar coma, eyes rolled back, with the last piece of bacon hanging from the corner of my mouth.  Then it hits!  You know that feeling.  That feeling that there's about to be an aggressive movement.  This is what I call "Michael's Chocolate Cleanse!"  Having worked in a chocolate factory myself and learning from personal experience, I know that eating a excessive amount of chocolate results in a laxative effect.  Not as extreme as an Epsom salt flush, but it does the job.  Therefore, in this example, there are two results.  The first, the pipes get an explosive cleansing.  The second, you'll think twice before indulging in massive quantities of chocolate again.  No one wants a repeat experience!  Trust Me!

There are probably a few of you out there thinking to yourself, "I cant believe he's writing about this, I thought this was about folklorico!"  It is!  Mexico has provided us with the wonderful terminology of Montezuma's Revenge and The Aztec Two Step!  After white Spaniards defeated and conquered Moctezuma II, the runs are his revenge on the white man.  Likewise, the folklorico gods have their revenge on invading wedos of the dance:  The Folklorico Foreigner Flush!  Isn't is funny that after nine weeks of blogging we have already covered one end of the spectum to the other!

Then there is the that time of year when young aspiring girls everywhere turn into militant cookie pushing peddlers.  They are everywhere.  You can't avoid them.  You will buy their cookies or else wrath will come upon you.  Every time I see one of them, fear sets in.  My freezer is full of boxes, upon boxes, of cookies.  And true to the previous example, whole evening meals are spent consuming them to support the American girl's future and development.  My waist line is a small price to pay.  Why can't fundraising groups sell lettuce at $20 a head instead?  It's always sugar, sugar, sugar!

And if that isn't enough, lets look at some of the food the Mexican community consumes:  tortillas, refried beans and rice.  There is nothing better than a hot fresh flour tortilla with butter.  Can I get a witness?  Come on people, seriously, it's delicious!  Plus there's nothing like the abundance of lard and masa creations.  Masa!  Masa = Mass, Mass = Massive and Massive = No Folklorico For You Wedo.  I find it ironic that in Mexican culture, men are macho, robust and burly, yet they expect their dancers to be fit, trim and thin.  Men are groomed from birth to be strong and respected  So there is a constant battle between portraying the masculine Mexican male image and the expectation of the male folklorico dancer.  No one wants to see a man who looks six months pregnant in a charro suit, sweating and dying from exhaustion.  Even a robust and muscular man will appear heavy in a charro suit on stage.  On the other hand, no one wants to watch a man perform that appears weak and sickly.  The goal is to find balance. 

One thing that I feel is important to remember is that there are several different body types.  Your body type determines where you will carry the weight.  I think that the American culture idolizes the "V" shape body type, with the broad shoulders and skinny waistline.  We obsess over it and put ourselves through all kinds of torture to achieve that perfect form.  Truth is not everyone is going to have it, myself included, unless I pay for it!  Plastic surgery anyone? 

I have made efforts to be healthier and fit.  I acknowledge that I can do better.  Please don't mistake my writing about this as excuses or complaints.  As soon as my schooling is over, I will have additional time to dedicate to the gym and practicing.  I have tried to reduce the carbohydrates and increase the protein.  I've laid off the sodas and drink Kangen alkaline water.  I've limited my fast food intake.  Every morning, I start my day off with a buffet of vitamins and supplements.  I try to avoid the plethora of donut boxes and snack machines at work.  Usually with little or no success.  When I start to get depressed over it, I just wear some extra baggy, over sized clothing and it's amazing how many people remark on how it looks like you've lost weight.  It's a real pick me up. 

Many dancers use belts, body suits and girdles.  Anything to help get that appealing shape.  It's a small price to pay.  One dancer friend of mine was told by their instructor, "Run, don't walk, run and buy yourself a girdle!"  Audiences only see the end result.  However, there is countless hours of practice, dedication and commitment that go on behind the scenes.  It truly is a lifestyle that requires discipline and diligence.  Personally, I would prefer to be a bit on the husky side.  But if dancing is a genuine priority in my life, then I need to make the sacrifices and do what is best.  So I'm off to Wal Mart this weekend to invest in a waist trimming belt to help melt my midsection.   

Recently, I grew a beard.  Looks nice.  As for the top of my head, I have a receding hairline and I am balding, so I shave it clean.  However, I tell everyone that I have a sagging scalp and that the hair on my head ended up on my chin.   Likewise, the same can be said of my belly.  My gut is actually a beautiful set of pectorals in development.  Everything just needs a little lift!

On Tuesday this week I was telling my co-worker, the same one who filmed the Three Amigos video, about this week's blog as we were leaving work, heading to our cars in the parking lot.  We shared a laugh over the "pregnant pencil" comment.  I got in my car, pulled out of the parking lot and got to the signal light where I stopped and sneezed.  I felt a pop around my waist and when I looked down I noticed my belt had broke.  Completely busted, snapped right at the buckle.  Poor thing couldn't handle the pressure anymore.  The force of the sneeze caused my belly to expand and that belt didn't stand a chance.  Now that's a power gut for you!  Guess I have some work to do!

Challenge #2:  Posture   

"Stand up straight Michael", "Stand up tall Michael", "Shoulders back Michael", "Lift your collar bone Michael", "Stand proud Michael.  Let it radiate from within", "Have Pride", "Earn Respect with your body language", "Puff your chest up and out Michael.  Besides, it makes your waist look smaller", "Women, and some men, love a tall man with dominating presence Michael",  "Don't slouch Michael",  "Stop stooping Michael",  "You're learning forward on the turns Michael.  You're losing your balance.  You look like a Weeble Wobble", "Dance from your core Michael", "Center yourself Michael", "Poise", "Rise to the occasion", "Lift", "Let your body speak", "Exude Confidence", "Stand Proud", "Make your presence known",  "Stand your ground",  "Take the fort!",  "CCCHHHHAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE!",  " To infinity and beyond!"  On and on it goes!

It's true, my posture needs improvement.  I don't deny it.  I understand all these things are said in good intent and for my benefit, in hopes that I will become a better dancer.  Posture is not one of my family's strengths.  My grandmother had a hunched back.  It's not easy being head and shoulders over the rest.  I am always on the look out for tall women dancers.  I try to recruit them to our dance group.  It never fails that they put the 6'2" wedo with a 4' tall partner.  Why does that always happen?  Do you see the dilemma?  Then its, "Just bend your knees Michael.  Not your back"  Really, that's all there is to it?  From my calculations I need to bend those knees 2 feet and 2 inches just to get to eye level with my partner.  Try sustaining that while whipping around the dance floor and tapping your feet like mad.  Chop me off at the knees better!

At times I am tempted to just pick up my dance partner and carry them along as I travel.  Of course, lacking any upper body strength, this presents yet another challenge.  And it doesn't help if my partner is as deep and wide as she is tall.  Anyone feel boxed in?  I'm completely joking here but my height does present a challenge to perfect posture.  I did some investigating and according to Wikipedia's Average Height Around The World, the average height for a Mexican male ranges between 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 5 1/2 inches.  The average height for a Mexican female ranges between 4 feet 11 1/2 inches to 5 feet 1 inch.  The same study states that the average height for a U.S. male is between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 10 1/2 inches.  For a U.S. woman the average height range is 5 feet 2 1/2 inches to 5 feet 5 inches.  So regardless whether it's the average height for men or women, Mexican or American, I top them all at 6 feet 2 inches!

There was one concerned dance group parent who went online and found posture enhancing devices for dancers and recommended I invest in one.  That's when I knew my posture must be absolutely deplorable.  After 36 years of poor posture and looking down upon the world, there must be some muscular skeletal deterioration going on back there.  To add to the situation, my work has less than ideal ergonomic conditions which consistently reinforce poor posture.  Certainly all the stretching and conditioning has helped some, especially with flexibility.  At this point, however, a posture strap contraption or even a corset is probably the best option.  Any other ideas out there?  Does anyone know if there is such a thing as rolled shoulder syndrome or posturitis?  Must be, because whatever you call it, I've got it.

On Wednesday this week I went out to eat with a friend.  Echoing the words of my father throughout my my childhood, my friend (who shall remain nameless) says, "Michael!  Sit up straight!"  Then he proceeds to tell me that I look like an inmate eating.  An inmate?  Yes, an inmate hunched over my plate.  And not just any inmate, a pregnant inmate!  All that was missing was the yellow jump suit.  Priceless.

Challenge #3:  Focus!

As a child I was very hyper active.  I was zipping all over the place.  In Kindergarten we learned our A, B, C's.  I remember that I had a lot of trouble focusing and learning.  It took too long.  My attention span was short.  I felt I only needed to know letters A and Z, the first and the last.  Never mind everything in between.  The teacher would conduct her tests to evaluate how our progress in learning and developing.  The alphabet was a part of them.  I remember those tests.  I just wanted to start at A and selectively choose other letters along the was to get to Z as quickly as possible.  This concerned the teacher and she notified my mother that I wasn't learning my alphabet and there was the potential of holding me back for another year.  What a way to start out life, flunking kindergarten.

My mother quickly took the matter into her own hands and purchased a Disney record for children that had the A, B, C song on it.  Obviously she knew me well and that I had a musical gene inside.  I learned my alphabet in no time at all and the teacher marvelled at my sudden progress.  Music was the key to my success.  I passed kindergarten and proceeded with my education.  My mother enrolled me into a special after school music appreciation and development class to aid in my educational success.  I still own that original record to this day!

A year or two later, we started learning math.  Right after the math portion of the class, we had play time.  Once we finished our math assignment, we turned it in and got to go and play.  The only thing that stood between me and play time was that assignment.  The assignment became the problem.  The solution, get it done as quickly as possible.  The result, do the first, third, eighth, ninth and tenth math questions and skip over the rest.  All done!  That was easy.  Time to play.  Well again, my mother caught wind of the situation and addressed it.  Apparently there is no records with math songs because when I got home I had to do all the work I skipped in class, plus a little extra.  I took the completed assignment to the teacher the next day and the teacher thanked me.  I passed another year!

The summer before the third grade the school had a summer reading drive.  Students were encouraged to read books to their parents.  That summer I read 50 books!  Actually, I read only a couple.  Who wants to read?  It was much more fun to create my own stories that went along with the pictures.  I just pretended I was reading and made up the story line.  Often times those stories were short and to the point.  What was going on.  I will tell you, I have A.D.D. - Attention Deficit Disorder.  Not only was I hyper active physically, my mind raced all the time.  My mind still goes a hundred miles an hour.  I will be on one thought and before anyone around me gets caught up with me, I'm already onto four or five thoughts down the road.  Combine an over active mind with obsessive thinking, you've got an issue!  Welcome to my world.  Don't let my calm demeanor deceive you!  Perhaps it is evident in my writing.  Have you noticed?

The only reason that I believe that I have had so much success with the dancing is because it involves music.  Granted the instruction has been superb and it's a lot of fun too, which helps.  I am definitely a product of the "Now Generation" which at times makes me impatient.  I think it gets frustrating for people sometimes.  At dance practice, I ask a lot of questions.  Questions are good, they show eagerness to learn and do it right.  The problem with me is that I'll be asking another question before I even get the answer to the last one.  Often I have to be stopped and my attention redirected.  I am aware of my situation and I try to control it to the best of my ability.  Focus, focus, focus!  That's what it takes.  People that know me, when they see me in a rehearsal, have commented that I get intensively focused.  At times, I get overly focused and need snapping out of it.  I can quickly go from being distracted and all over the place to extremely focused and shutting out everything and everyone around me, lost in the space of my own head.  Thank God I have a teacher that understands and is patient.

My A.D.D. had lead to challenges in performances.  If I don't have the time to center myself, I can fall apart.  Chaos in the dressing room is common.  Being rushed to change costumes and get back out on the stage, at times, is a challenge.  I am determined to overcome!  Reducing potential distractions is one way I deal with this.  Even so, I notice that I tend to perform my best at the beginning of a performance.  The trend is start out strong and struggle to end strong.  In my blog about "What to Wear?" I told you I bought a sombrero down on Olvera Street.  They had one that fit my big head.  Remember that?  Anyway, with the weight gain my head must have gotten bigger!  Now I have a Jiffy Pop head!  The hat still fits but now it tends to start sliding off while dancing.  This is a big distraction for me.  When this happens during the performance, my dancing starts to falter.  I focus more on the hat and less on the dance.  Always a challenge!  I've looked into better hats.  One that won't be a distraction on stage.  They cost a small fortune.  Custom sombreros can cost upwards of $500.00.  But I take the dancing seriously enough that it will be worth the investment just not to have the distraction any more.

There you have it - Three Challenges!  There are others too.  Perhaps, we will visit some more of them sometime in the future.  Let me clarify that just because challenges exist, they don't disqualify me or make me an inferior dancer.  Everyone faces challenges in whatever they do.  These are just a few of mine.  Hope they made you laugh!  There is nothing wrong with taking an honest assessment of ourselves and realizing what challenges we face.  I know there is a very optimistic and inspiring mindset out there that tends to imply that if we don't acknowledge or admit challenges, they don't exist and reality is only our perception and what we give credit to, not an absolute or factual.  Facebook is inundated with such statements.  Well, I keep it a bit more real than that.  I would much rather be honest and look at the facts and be truthful in my awareness of myself and the challenges I face so that I can overcome and improve upon them rather than disillusion and deceive myself by denying the presence of them, ending up going no where.  This wedo may wobble, but I wont fall down!

In closing, I want to say that I am learning more about this site, Blogger.com, and the features they offer.  As a result, I have been correcting, updating and editing my previous posts.  On some of the older ones, the links were not working any longer and the photos disappeared.  I've been doing maintenance to keep them up.  I'm also going back and adding new photos.  However, whenever I update or make a change, Blogger sends out notices of a new and updated posts.  I apologize for any excess notice communications and for any inconvenience.  New posts will be published on Sundays.  There were some general glitches on the page layout overall as well.  I have modified and corrected these problems.  If there's anything I've missed, please advise me.  Thank you.

To wet your appetite, here are some ideas for future blog postings that I'm working on:

"The Tale of Two China's" (Pronounced Cheeeeeenahs)
"A Folklorico Competition" or "So You Think You Can Dance!"
"Working The Workshop"
"The Language of Folklorico" or "The Lingo!" or "A Wedo's Interpretation"
"What is Folk Dancing?"
"Ballet Vs. Danza"
"History of Folklorico"
"Dancer's of Drama" or "The Double D's" or "Types of Dancers"
"Man Up!" or "You Go Girl!"
"Tiffs and Tantrums"  or  "These boots were made for dancing (and walking)"
"Viva Mariachi"
"Visions For Folklorico"  or  "I have a dream" or "Ideas"
"Time With Images" or "Images of Mexico"
"Sol de Mexico"  or  "Fun with Sol"  or  "Soul to Sol"  or "Got Sol?" or "Durango Sol"
"Darling Deb"
"Unbelievable Opportunities" or "Expectations Exceeded" or "Dancing with the Stars"
"Who's That Wedo?" or "What Are You Lookin' At?"
"Herencia Mexicana"  or  "Why Herencia" or "I believe in Herencia"
"A Wedo's Take" or "In My Opinion"
"The Day Of The Dead" or "Traditions" or "The Day Of The Dead & Other Traditions"
"Why A Blog"
"Thank You" or "Recognitions" or "Acknowledgements"

Be sure to check back!

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.