The Big Wrap Up! - Week 53

Welcome Back!  Mauritania checked out the blog this week! Thank you and welcome! The blog continues to grow! It's funny how these things go.  Last week I announced that week 52 was my "official" last post of the One Big Wedo blog. I made a one year weekly commitment in January 2013 to write about all my folklorico experiences on a weekly basis.  I stuck with it and accomplished that goal.  Apparently, all you have to do to increase readership is to announce "the end" because I had people come out of the woodwork to read it this week. Better late than never I suppose!
 

 

Although I plan on continuing posting from time to time, I wanted to wrap up the "official" 52 week blog by providing my readers with the blog stats and some closing thoughts and reflections on the past year.  What a year it has been!  I thought maybe I would reach 7000 to 7500 readers by the end of the year.  I am pleased to say that as of this posting, I have had 9797 page views!  I am shocked.  I find it mind boggling at times, that people actually take the time to read these posts. Who knew a white man dancing Mexican folklorico would turn so many heads! It got people's attention! Blogger's tracking charts show a steady growing audience from the beginning to now. Thank you to everyone who has read the blog and made it a success.  You make it all worth it.
 

Several months ago, on week 27, I put out a friendly competition to all the countries around the globe and challenged them to read, read, read. The blog stirred up a frenzy and was received all around the world. So how did things end up?  Which countries read and followed the blog the most? Here is a list of the top ten countries who embraced the Wedo:

 

1.)  United States of America

2.)  Russia

3.)  Germany

4.)  France

5.)  Canada

6.)  United Kingdom

7.)  South Korea

8.)  Mexico

9.)  Poland

10.)  China

Of course there were many others who checked out the blog.  Here's a list of all the countries that read the blog.  From my calculations, there are 73 total:

Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Maldives, Mauritania, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam

My goodness!  I really need to brush up on my geography!  That's a lot of countries!  There's still a whole lot more out there too!  Keep sharing the blog and let's see if we can reach them all!  I believe it can and will happen!  I'm still open to a world tour!  Who wants to host the Wedo and dance group. Have boots, will travel!
 

As far a the posts themselves, Week 31's "Modern Folklorico Dancing" took the #1 spot for all time most read post.  It also generated a lot of feedback. To be honest, I was surprised that so many folks read it.  It wasn't even one of my personal favorites.  In fact, I felt that I didn't do a good job explaining myself and that I came off as somewhat contradicting. But I'm my biggest critic and people understood the message the way I intended nonetheless. Some felt it was controversial, which may have aided in its success. Overall, most agreed it provoked thought.

Now not to go all back into it, but I do want to say that on the one hand I was trying to make the point that there are many variations of the same dance in the folklorico world - some more traditional and authentic than others.  On a different note, I was trying to inspire originality in style an execution.  I made the comment that many group imitate Amalia Hernandez and Ballet Folklorico de Mexico's style, dances and choreography.  It's kind of like going and seeing a tribute band.  Yes, they sing the same songs an even copy the original band's look. However, at the end of the day, everyone still prefers the original band because they are the "real" one. I even had one of the dancers from Mexico write me a note thanking me for the post.  Anyway, lets just move on.
 

Several other post received heavy readership as well.  Here is a list of the top 21 posts:

1.)  Modern Folklorico Dancing - Week 31

2.)  A Big L.A. Af-fair! - Part 1 - Week 40

3.)  The Day of The Dead - Week 30

4.)  Heart & Sol - Week 16

5.)  A Deadly Transformation - Week 45

6.)  Latin Stage Fever - Denver Part 2 - Week 27

7.)  Richard Solorzano - Week 52

8.)  Sizzling Sinaloa - Denver Part 1 - Week 26

9.)  Chihuahua, Chiapas & Baja - Week 43

10.)  The Viva Navidad Experience - Part 1 - Week 51

 

11.)  Who Is Herencia Mexicana?  A History! - Week 42

12.)  Dancing At Disney California Adventure - Week 37

13.)  In The Beginning - Week 2

14.)  The Audition! - Week 47

15.)  L.A. County Fair Show - The Sequel - Week 41

16.)  Images Of Mexico - Week 21

17.). History In The Making - Week 4

18.)  What To Wear - Week 5

19.). Getting Started - Week 1

20.)  The Miracles Of Dancing - Week 6

21.)  39 - Say It Isn't So!  - Week 34

Now on the contrary, the all time least read post was week 32's "Why A Blog?"  How bizarre that week 31 was the top post and week 32 was the bottom.  Perhaps folks got turned off by week 31s post, who knows.  I actually wrote week 32's post due to some of the feedback I received regarding week 31's post.  Some folks after reading week 31 asked "Who is this Wedo and what gives him the right to write about folklorico?"  So I wrote a post about how the blog actually came about. I personally like week 32s blog much more than week 31s.  Go figure!  

I acknowledged that there are a plethora of highly qualified individuals out there, much more so than I, that should be blogging and writing about folklorico.  I even presented the idea of guest bloggers for my blog.  I approached several qualified folks to write a post to share on my blog.  Most agreed, but in the end, no one followed through, leaving my voice to be heard alone.  So that whole idea was a flop!  Kind of like week 32's post!  Of course now that I've mentioned it here, it will probably be in the top 10 by next week!
 

Since I'm sharing flops, the kids coloring activity didn't go well either!  Not a single soul sent the Wedo a picture.  Oh well.  Too bad, so sad.  I gave it a shot.  I had one person submit some logos for my logo contest. Thank goodness for that!  How embarrassing it would have been if no one had responded.  At one time, I presented an idea of creating a folklorico themed t-shirt line. That didn't happen either! Besides, Miicamisa Folk/Urban Wear already has a full line of fabulous folklorico themed items. I discovered them after I presented my desire to create some folklorico t-shirts of my own under the label "We do Wear!"  I may have some One Big Wedo blog t-shirts made up yet. Anyone interested out there?  Of course, with my bald head, folks may mistake me for Casper!  For other folklorico t-shirts and products, check out Miicamisa online and on Facebook.  And what's up with no movie offer, reality television show, music/dance video, interview or book deal? Hello Hollywood! I'll even settle for a 12 month Big Wedo calendar! Now that's sure to be a big seller! I'm waiting! Call me Hollywood! I guess there's still some hope in creating a stage show at least, but time will tell. I even hit Cher up on Facebook to have us perform a number at her upcoming show in Ontario in July. All I've heard back is crickets!
 

Now that I've shared the flops, how about some more positive areas of success? I received lots of encouragement and emails over the past year.  I even had a couple college dance professors from Texas share my blog with their students as recommended reading on their class syllabuses.  How cool is that!  I heard from some of the students themselves!  Hopefully they are still reading! Multicultural California, Folklorico Page and Folkloricochannel were all very supportive of the blog this past year. Thank you very, very much.  In fact, Folklorico Page recently gave me this compliment which has to be among the best I've ever received.  As part of the response to my post about "Richard Solorzano - Week 52", Folklorico Page wrote, "One Big Wedo's blog is [also] the "real deal", funny, informative and insightful." I am so going to have you write the book review if I should get a book deal! I recommend everyone to check out Folklorico Page on Facebook. I find the commentary and photos very inspiring. Keep up the great work.

With the announcement of the blog being officially complete, I received several texts, emails and messages encouraging me to keep blogging. Of course, this sparked my thinking of what I might still write about. I thought of a few things but then I couldn't remember if I've already written about the topics. So this week, I spent some time reading and reviewing my own blog and guess what, I haven't written about them. That means I have three or four potential new blog topics to post about. Plus, with 2014 just getting started, there's a whole year of potential posts just waiting to happen. Stay tuned. However, if the blog should end after that, I have to be honest in saying I won't miss all the work it takes to write these little gems. And I won't miss all the computer errors, unsaved and deleted posts, rework and the like. Nothing is more disappointing and aggravating than spending all day working on a post only to lose it.  Even so, I really appreciate Blogger and Google for the free service and for providing a place for my voice to be heard.  Your voice can be heard to, sign up and get to writing!
 

Let's take a moment and look at all the performances!  Here is the current list of shows I've participated in since the very beginning:

May 11, 2012:  Mariachi de Azusa 6th Annual Benefit Concert - Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana) - Live Mariachi
May 13, 2012:  Our Lady of Assumption - Mother's Day - Carnival - Claremont, California (Herencia Mexicana)
May 18, 2012:  Plaza Mexico Performance - Lynnwood, California (Herencia Mexicana)
July 19, 2012:  Azusa Memorial Park Event - Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana) - Live Mariachi
July 25, 2012 :  2nd Annual Viva La Vida @ Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant - Montebello, California (Images of Mexico) - Live Mariachi
July 28, 2012:  Durado Cultural Heritage Foundation Fundraiser Event - El Monte, California (Herencia Mexicana & Images of Mexico) - Live Mariachi
August 19, 2012:  Private Birthday Event - Pico Rivera, California (Herencia Mexicana)
September 14, 2012:  Plaza Mexico Performance - Lynnwood, California (Herencia Mexicana)
September 15, 2012:  Private Birthday Event - Montclair, California (Herencia Mexicana) - Live Mariachi
September 26, 2012:  Private Wedding Event - Loma Linda, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 7, 2012:  St. Adelaide Church Carnival - Highland, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 28, 2012:  Private Birthday Event - Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana) - Live Mariachi
December 1, 2012:  Foster Care Event (DFCS) - Montebello, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 9, 2012:  Riverside Festival of Lights - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 11, 2012:  Durado Foundation, Misa y Fiesta de Celebracion a la Virgen de Guadalupe - Riverside, California (Images of Mexico) - Live Mariachi
February 9, 2013:  Mission School Event - Redlands, California (Herencia Mexicana)
March 9, 2013:  Santa Teresita Hayden Child Care Family Festival - Duarte, California (Herencia Mexicana)
April 6, 2013:  Private Birthday Event - Ontario, California (Herencia Mexicana)
April 13, 2013:  Herencia Mexicana 2013:  El Mitote - Historic Civic Center Theatre - Corona, California (Sol de Mexico Ballet Folklorico) (Herencia Mexicana)
April 28, 2013:  City of Azusa - 2013 Cinco De Mayo Celebration, Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana)
May 5, 2013:  Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum, City of Industry, California.  "Romance of the Ranchos" (Herencia Mexicana)
May 12, 2013:  OLA Fiesta!  Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Claremont, California.  (Herencia Mexicana)
May 18, 2013:  Private Family Reunion Event - Arcadia Park in Arcadia, California. (Herencia Mexicana)
June 1, 2013:  Ascension Church Community Festival 2013 - Los Angeles, California. (Herencia Mexicana)
June 14, 2013:  Orgullo 2013 (Sponsored by Unidos Y Orgullo) - Potrero Night Club - Glendale, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana)
June 15, 2013:  Denver Pridefest 2013 @ Civic Center Park - Orgullo Latino Stage - Denver, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana - 2 Shows)
June 16, 2013:  Denver Pridefest 2013 @ Civic Center Park - Orgullo Latino Stage - Denver, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana - 2 Shows)
September 1, 2013:  Disney's Community Arts Showcase - Disney California Adventure - Hollywood Backlot Stage - Anaheim, California (Sol de Mexico Ballet Folklorico)

September 7, 2013:  City of Azusa Recreation Department - Azusa Senior Center Fiesta Event - Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana)

September 8, 2013 - Plaza Mexico Colima Festival & Estrella TV - Lynnwood, California (Ballet Folklorico Mi Tierra)

September 22, 2013 - LA County Fair - Plaza De Las Americas Stage @ The Fairplex - Pomona, California (Ballet Folklorico Sol de Mexico) 

September 29, 2013 - LA County Fair - Plaza De Las Americas Stage - Pomona, California (Herencia Mexicana)
November 2, 2013 - Day of The Dead 2013 - Olvera Street Gazebo - Los Angeles, California (Herencia Mexicana)
November 2, 2013 - Dia de Los Muertos Ten Year Anniversary - Historic Downtown Riverside @ Market & Tenth - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana) (BF Sol de Mexico)

November 9, 2013 - Private Event - Quinceanera - Razzle Dazzle Dance Studios - Riverside, California - Live Mariachi (Herencia Mexicana) (BF Sol de Mexico)

November 16, 2013 - 50th Wedding Anniversary Private Event with Mariachi Los Camperos - The Ritz Gardens - Whittier, California - Live Mariachi (Dancers from Various Groups)

December 7, 2013 - D.C.F.S. Holiday Event at Montebello Senior Center - Montebello, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 14, 2013 - Riverside Festival of Lights sponsored by The Mission Inn - Main Stage at University & Main - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)

December 21, 2013 - Disney Viva Navidad Guest Performances - Disney California Adventure Park - Anaheim, California - Paradise Gardens Stage - 4 Shows (Herencia Mexicana)

December 22, 2013 - Disney Viva Navidad Guest Performances - Disney California Adventure Park - Anaheim, California - Paradise Gardens Stage - 2 Shows (Herencia Mexicana)

March 29, 2014 - Priscilla's Quinceanera - City Of Industry Expo Center - Industry, California (Herencia Mexicana)

April 8, 2014 - Veracruz Photo Shoot - Los Angeles, California (BF Mi Tierra)

April 27, 2014 - Azusa Cinco de Mayo Celebration - Azusa City Hall - Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana)

May 1, 2014 - Destination Downtown Riverside Fashion Show - Riverside California (Herencia Mexicana)

May 1, 2014 - Riverside Cinco de Mayo Celebration at I.E. Art walk - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)
May 6, 2014 - First Steps Independent Living Cinco de Mayo Event - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)

May 11, 2014 - OLA Fiests Mother's Day Performance - Our Lady of Assumption Church & School - Claremont, California (Herencia Mexicana)

June 20, 2014 - Unidos Y Orgullo's 2014 Pride Event at Club El Potrero - Glendale, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana)

June 21, 2014 - Denver Pridefest 2014 at Civic Center Park - Latin Stage - Denver, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana - 3 shows)

June 22, 2014 - Denver Pridefest 2014 at Civic Center Park - Latin Stage - Denver, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana - 2 shows)

KGNU Radio Interview.

July 26, 2014 - 15th Wedding Anniversary Celebration - Mentone Moose Lodge - Mentone, California (Herencia Mexicana)

August 2, 2014 - Fabiola's Birthday Party - Escobedo's Residence - Covina, California (Herencia Mexicana)

August 23, 2014 - Disney Community Arts Showcase - Disney California Adventure - Hollywood Backlot Stage - Anaheim, California (Herencia Mexicana)

September 6, 2014 - City of Azusa "Fiesta" - Azusa Senior Center - Azusa, California (Herencia Mexicana)

September 27, 2014 - St. Bernardine's Multicultural Festival - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)

September 28, 2014 - Los Angeles County Fair - Plaza de Las Americas, Pomona, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 5, 2014 - Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 12, 2014 - Private Wedding Reception Performance - Mentone Moose Lodge, Mentone Beach, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 18, 2014 - Herencia Mexicana's 2014 Annual Fundraiser Event - The Ranch - Riverside, California - 2 Performances (Herencia Mexicana)

November 2, 2014 - Placita Olvera - Olvera Street Dia de Los Muertos (Day of The Dead) Festival - Los Angeles, California (Herencia Mexicana) 

November 2, 2014 - Riverside Dia de Los Muertos Featival - Downtown Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)

November 22, 2014 - Disney Viva Navidad! - Disney California Adventure Park - Paradise Pier/Goofy's Sky School - Anaheim, California - 2 Shows (Herencia Mexicana)
November 23, 2014 - Disney Viva Navidad! - Disney California Adventure - Paradise Pier/Goofy's Sky School - Anaheim, California - 2 Shows (Herencia Mexicana)

December 6, 2014 - Knott's Merry Farm - Knott's Berry Farm - Calico Stage - Buena Park, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 13, 2014 - Winter Wonderland - The Roosevelt Bowl @ Perris Hill Park - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 13, 2014 - Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 21, 2014 - KCAA Radio Event @ The Carousel Mall - Performance & Radio Interview - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
January 18, 2015 - Disney Community Arts Showcase - Hollywood Backlot Stage - Disney California Adventure - Anaheim, California (Herencia Mexicana)

I count 40+ shows!  Not too shabby. That's a lot of foot tapping going on! Almost averages out to one performance for every year old I am! One Big Wedo thanks all the dancers, dance groups, directors, teachers, photographers, videographers, Wikipedia, various reference resources, You Tube, Facebook and the like, who all contributed to the success of the blog. There's a saying that goes something like "It takes a village to raise a child." I guess it could be said "It takes a village to help a wedo dance and blog folklorico!" I especially want to thank God, Richard and my parents. Even during the tough times!

 

 

If you check out my profile on Google+ and Gmail, you can view tons of photos I've posted in the blog.  There are also a few photos that Google selected to enhance!  They are referred to as "Google+ Auto Awesome Photos"! Check them out sometime.

In other news, just as the blog ended, Herencia started up practices for the 2014 season. Everyone came back a little bit sluggish from the holidays. We are all a bit weighted down, if you get my drift. Now I didn't eat tamales, but I had my share of tortillas and chocolate. Now comes time to "feel the burn" and lose those extra pounds before our first show of the new year. Speaking of weight, check out this photo of me I found from a couple years ago. I was a much bigger boy! Folklorico makes you skinny!
 

Hey, here's a completely random piece of information for you.  I must be having one of my ADD moments.  After our fair performance last year, we received some feedback about our costumes. Although everyone liked our costumes, it was brought to our attention that the women's bloomers didn't match. So guess what, now they do. Richard designed a Herencia bloomer that all the women have wear, so everyone is uniform now. And I thought I suffered from OCD. Yes folks, even the underwear have to match!  

In closing, I want to share something I learned in college. Many of you have read and know that I studied Bible and Theology. I recall one class where the professor shared how there will be a day when all the nations of the world stand before God and present their contributions to life and society to God.  We discussed various aspects of life in which nations and people contribute too.  I remember thinking that one of the great contributions of Mexico is folklorico. I often think about how I am not only dancing before men, but also before God. Folklorico dancing reflects God and His creativity through man. That's my opinion anyways. What a beautiful thing.

So to wrap this all up, I sum up the whole blog like this:

Guero, whetto, wettoh, huero, weddo, weddoh, whedo, wedoh, huerro, Guerro, guedo, wetto, huedo, wero, guelo, wello, wheddoh, wedian and FOLKLORICO!  But no matter how you prefer to spell it, I'm still the One Big Wedo!
 

That's pretty much it! So what does next week bring, if anything? Check back and see! I already have folks trying to persuade me in going on some new adventures so I can write about them! Until then, this Wedo needs a moment to catch his breath! 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!  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.

 

 

Why A Blog? - Week 32

Hello Everyone!  It never ceases to amaze me how things just sort of happen randomly and without anticipation or expectation.  Oftentimes, I'll write a post and think, "Yeah, this is one that people are gonna read!" only to later discover it really wasn't much of a hit.  Then there are those that surprise you, like last week's post!  I'm shocked honestly, it soared right up the reading charts and is in the top two all time most read One Big Wedo posts.  Didn't think that would happen.  It could possibly take the #1 spot by the end of the week, over taking week 16's "Heart & Sol".  Wow!  Now let's see if this week's post nosedives right to the bottom!  Here we go!

Why A Blog?
 

So why did I decide to write a blog about my experience of folklorico dancing?  How did this really all come about?  This week I'm going to share with readers all about the blog.
 

Several years before I ever started dancing, I had a desire to blog but never acted upon it.  I tossed around ideas for a blog in my head and would contemplate what I would say and how.  I had lots of concepts, one idea was to write a blog called "My Transparent Reality".  Then I realized that there was a whole Social Network called Facebook that did that for people already.  Next!  From there I went to an idea of one called "The Bartending Pastor".  This blog would be my experience of learning to bartend and my interactions with customers, where in during the course of my listening to their drunken problems, I would utilize my Biblical Counseling classes from Bible College to direct people on a path to resolve their problems.  Of course using Jesus as my example as He was the first, turning water into wine.
 

Other ideas entertained included a blog of American diners that I've eaten breakfast at, a random picture of the day blog, famous quotes blog, drink of the day blog and so on.  There were many others considered as well.  All remained ideas however and are already commonly captured on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  So I put the whole blog idea to rest.
 

I never considered myself much of a writer.  I've always been a fairly decent student though, at least in my opinion.  At Wheaton, I took an English Literature class.  For the final, we had to write a paper on a piece of American poetry.  My poem was assigned and I poured myself into my final paper.  I thought I had written a paper with major insight!  When I received my paper back, there on the top in big red ink was the letter "F" and a note from the professor, "Call Me".  I was so disappointed.  When I called, she told me that there was just no way possible to give a grade anything but, I had missed the point entirely.  Years later, I went back to college again, this time Bible College.  I took a class called Eschatology.  Part of the class curriculum included debating secular world viewpoints and Biblical world viewpoints.  To make a long story short, an assignment was given to write a paper on a controversial subject in society and present both viewpoints.  I wrote the paper and this time when I got it back there on the top of the page was an "A" and a note from the professor that said, "Wow! You could be a journalist!"  Me? Really?  Well, perhaps someday I will give it a try!

One day while I was out shopping at a thrift store, I was looking through some DVDs they had for sale.  I came across a movie called Julie & Julia.  I didn't know anything about the movie but I bought it because it had Meryl Streep in it.  I took it  home put it away and there it sat for months.
 

Some time later, a fellow coworker and friend of mine told me about a blog he and his wife had started about Bible prophecy.  They were having some success with it.  What struck me most was that he said it was free to have a blog on a site called Blogger.  I like free.  That was something that fit my budget!
 

Then one day in the fall of last year, I found myself at home with nothing to do.  So, I took out the DVD and put it on.  The true story held my attention.  If your not familiar with the story, it's a movie about Julie Powell who wrote a blog about her experience cooking all the recipes in the Julia Child cookbook.  In fact, you can find the blog on Blogger,  This of course triggered my thinking once again.  For the next several weeks I mulled over what I could write about that people might find interesting about me.  What made me unique and interesting?  Hmmm!
 

I remember a documentary that I saw on tv once about a reporter who would travel around America to random cities, pull out a phone book, open it up and point on a name.  Whatever name was there, he would call and arrange to tell their story in a documentary.   Another similar story I heard about, was a wealthy man who like to sculpt miniature clay figures.  He would travel around the world to famous landmarks and hide these little clay critters at his destination.  In fact, he became so well known for doing it, that they developed a line of clay critters for a retail collectible market based off him, which I sold in my shops back in the day.  What could I do like that I pondered?  I know I'll travel around to various cities across America, put on one of my folklorico costumes and with boom box in hand (yes, I love the 80's) go into a public park or area and dance, taking pictures with people and then blog about them and the experience of it all.  It was an interesting concept but I had one major problem - I'm broke and I work.  I love to travel but that would've require some serious funds.
 

The year was reaching near the end and I continued to struggle with what made me so different and that no one was already writing about.  Then a Mexican themed social media site posted some photos of folklorico dancing and there I was!  I came across them by accident and I was like wow, I made it on Mexican media!  Don't they know I'm white?  I was always worried that if I danced poorly that perhaps it would be perceived as mockery or insult if they knew.  I wanted to be incognito!  Dancers use to tell me don't worry, you could pass for someone from Jalisco, just keep your mouth shut.  I knew I wasn't the first white person to dance folklorico.  I had seen a couple performances with white folks in them.  Even a well respected Mexican dancer also had told me that the man who taught him to dance folklorico was white.  So I knew there were others.  But no one was writing about their experience and perception of it.  Sounds like an opportunity.

By the way, I've met others wedos out there during the course of this journey too.  One was a mariachi that performs all over, singing in Spanish, yet he himself does not speak the language.
 

2013 arrived and one of my goals for the new year was to write the blog.  So that's what I did.  I just stepped out and created a Google profile and established a blog on Blogger.  And here you are reading it!  I set a goal of 52 weeks, which would include my personal experience of folklorico dancing, my perspective, perception and analysis, basic Mexican and folkorico information and facts. Perhaps reaching someone and creating some interest in dancing or attending a show.  The blog has also succeeded in provoking thought, venting frustrations and give the account of whatever I was going through at the moment.  The blog consists of a little bit of my life, humor and bizarre pop culture ideas.  I figured that if anything, I would have a unique account of my folklorico experience in journal form, even if no one read it, that I could print off and keep at the end.  I am a sentimental person.  Plus, this would be a learning experience for me and help me learn more about the history and terminology of folklorico, as well as serve as some self encouragement.
 

I didn't anticipate anyone in the folklorico community reading it or even being interested in it.  I thought it would reach people in general who just like to read about different topics, who might like to know what the experience entailed for me.  People find it interesting to read about other peoples lives.  I thought perhaps it would help people in the USA to learn a little about our neighbors and assist in developing an appreciation and understanding of the art.  

People actually read the first post!  I was shocked.  People from around the world in fact!  I just kept on doing it.  One day a fellow folklorico dancer made a comment to me, "I saw your blog.  I like it. You are brave and I'm proud of you". Brave?  I had to ask why he thought that and he told me, "I would never put myself out there like that."  

I never thought of myself as being brave.  Growing up in Michigan, I was raised with the belief that you really could be anything you wanted to be in life or do anything in life.  All you has to do was just do it.  You want to be a business person Michael, then be one.  You want to be a singer, then sing.  If you want to write, if you write it they will read!  I think the success I've had in life comes from being a bit clueless and not being told what the right way of going about it.  For example, when I opened my retail business years ago, everyone said that I went about starting it all wrong and backwards!  Yet, I was successful for a season at it.  Then the economy tanked.  The secret to my success has been not knowing the secrets of other people's success.  I did it my way.
 

Other folklorico dancers also commented to me that they had discovered the blog and found it funny. Oh my!  I started to get feedback from people as well - both positive and negative.  I welcome it all. A friend of mine, an avid reader, happen to read the blog and one day we started to discuss it.  I shared with her some of the harsh remarks about it I had received.  She told me just to stick with it and write it my way regardless because that's what people want to read about.  Tell your story.  Other people started reading the blog also.  It appears that it is serving the purposes I intended it to as several have commented to me that they did learn some things from it and that they want to continue to do so!  That's good news!

As I've shared before, I write these during my breaks and lunches at my industrial job in a warehouse. Every week presents its share of challenges.  Overall, the blog has turned into a much bigger undertaking than I originally thought it would.  I have stacks of Post It Notes and scrap paper with all kinds of chicken scratch on them from writing down ideas and what not for the blog.  I committed to one post per a week and there is only so much editing and perfecting you can do because by Sunday morning it's time to publish.  Regardless if your ready or not!  The pressure is always on as the weekend approaches.  This week the punctuation police hit me up saying my blog was "painful to read" with all my comma violations.  I told them, don't read it then - you're missing the point!  I do my best.
 

I've enjoyed the whole blogging experience overall.  It's been almost as fun writing about the dancing, as dancing itself.  I have gone back and read my own blog postings.  I do it from time to time.  Sometimes it feels like an out of body experience.  At times, I stop and ask myself why did you write that and I have to reflect upon what was happening at that moment in time.  I will say that some of my perceptions, analysis and perspectives have changed a little over time on some of the stuff I've written.  I would agree some of the posts are better than others, more interesting over others, and better written than others.  Some I would write differently today.  There has been the temptation to go and delete some of them, but that would defeat the overall idea of a blog.  People that follow me can see through my writings the growth and progress.  

A few years ago I had an opportunity to sit in on a conference where best selling author Ann Kiemel spoke.  In fact, she has a blog here on Blogger as well!  She shared the story of her first book she ever wrote.  Only she can tell the story with all the humor and specifics.  But the whole gist of it was that when she wrote her first book, she told her publisher not to advertise it, just put it out there.  She said it was a pathetic little thing and she hoped it would just die.  People discovered  the book, connected with it and it became the best selling book that publisher ever printed.  Sometimes I feel the same way about my posts - unsure and hope they just die!  So there you learn a little about me, I believe that I can do anything, just do it but I'm uncertain about it the whole time - yet I won't quit either!
 

It's time to wrap this all up, I've said plenty already.  Some of you think I think too much and my posts are too long.  Anyway, in closing, I want to express that there is an incredible opportunity out there for folklorico people to write blogs, articles and the sort about folklorico.  There is much, much more written in Spanish than English about the subject, for obvious reasons.  There needs to be more in English.  I've seen a couple other blogs about folklorico out there, usually quoting the same resources I have in mine.  The information is limited.  And if your like me, don't speak or read Spanish, the resources are much more limited.  So someone could step up and translate the existing publications into English or write a new blog in English as well.  

Case in point, one of the feedback comments from last week states that I failed to mention Marcelo Torreblanca in my post.  He is considered by many as the "father of what we now know as danza Folklorica".  When I looked him up on the web, some articles in Spanish appeared to come up.  I did not find anything on him in English.  Sounds like an opportunity for someone to document his work in English.  I have to be honest, I have never heard of the man.  Several dancers I inquired of hadn't either.  

Some other feedback from last weeks post was about my "king and queen" comment.  I meant no offense by it.  There is an abundance written about the two from last week in English and everyone I've talked with knew of them well, hence my reason for labeling them the king and queen.  Don't know what I'm referring to?  Read last weeks post!  Didn't anticipate it being such a controversial statement, but many hit me up about it!  I said it based on my deduction that if there an abundance written about them, then they must be the most popular and known for it - the king and queen.  If that's not the case then something needs to be done, written, to change the perception!  

That being said, I am inviting some folks to be guest bloggers on my site!  In addition to my weekly posts and bonus posts, I want to start having special guest posts too!  Who wants to write one?  Hit me up.

Lastly, the blog had some newcomers this week!  Welcome Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka!  Glad to know people everywhere are interest in folklorico dancing!  The blog also reached over 4000 pageviews this!  People are reading!  I also received six logo contest entries this week!  I'm sharing them on my Facebook page, so drop by One Big Wedo on Facebook, like me and check them out! You have until August 31, 2013 to submit yours for a chance to win $100.  

Always open to suggestions and feedback.  If you read something that needs clarification or you have a question about, please drop me an email. 

Stay Strong & Write On!  Wedo out, yo!

****ATTENTION ALL BIG WEDO FANS & FOLLOWERS:  MARK YOUR CALENDARS - SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 - HERENCIA MEXICANA WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE LA COUNTY FAIR.  THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA TO COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!  MEET THE WEDO!  LET'S PACK THE PLAZA AND SET RECORD ATTENDANCE FOR THE SHOW!  HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE!  PLAZA DE LAS AMERICAS FROM 1:30 TO 2:00 PM****


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.