Show Time! - Week 7

Welcome Armenia to my folklorico blogging journey!  Glad to have you on board.  Thanks everyone who has read the blog.  There have been over 500 page views as of this week!  Wow, I am truly amazed.  Let's not delay and get right into it this week.

Show Time!

After six months of practice and rehearsals, I had my first opportunity to perform.  On May 11, 2012 Herencia Mexicana was invited to participate in the Mariachi de Azusa 6th Annual Benefit Concert.  It was a fundraising event to support the Azusa Unified School District after school mariachi music program.  Four mariachi groups performed, as well as special guests, and Herencia.  We were specifically asked to perform "La Negra," which is a popular song and commonly played at any mariachi concert.  It is from the region of Jalisco, which is often recognized by the charro suits that are worn.  Read my week 5 blog post called, "What To Wear?"  for more information about charro suits.

There was one small problem for me, I hadn't learned the dance, "La Negra," yet.  That was a BIG problem actually!  In the weeks prior to the show, I learned the dance well enough to perform it with the group.   Nothing like learning the dance at the last minute.  I personally think that I work and learn better under pressure anyway.  Don't tell Richard however!  This was a special opportunity because the dance was performed as live mariachi played.  It is a privilege anytime a folklorico dancer gets to perform with live mariachi.  Here it was my first performance and it was with live mariachi .  What a great way to start!  To top it off, I got to wear my brand new charro suit for the first time!

I was excited and a little bit nervous before the show.  Richard gave me some simple advice:  Make sure you smile the entire time - show teeth, if you forget what your doing - keep moving, relax and enjoy yourself.  Now, on the way over to the event, I ran though a drive-thru and got myself a ham and cheese sandwich because I was hungry.  Big mistake.  After performing "La Negra," we exited the stage to go change for the next set of dances.  I couldn't stop coughing.  Why exactly?  I'm not sure.  Perhaps it was nerves or the result of the sudden physical exertion of performing the dance.  Probably both.  All I can say is that there was something definitely going on.

Sure enough, I ran into the bathroom and the ham and cheese came up and out.  My body defooded.  Lovely!  A concerned parent asked if I was alright.  I was and the show must go on.  I got changed and went back out on the stage to finish up.  First lesson learned:  It is unwise to eat right before a performance.  All that food in your stomach makes it hard to breath, uncomfortable to move, and if the right conditions exist it may come back for a visit.  This is what I refer to as the "folklorico fergle" which has occurred to me on four separate performing occasions.  Just wanted to give you a glimpse into what happens backstage and behind the scenes.  The wedo is blowing chunks!

That evening, Herencia Mexicana also presented dances from the region of Vera Cruz.  I performed two dances:  "El Pescador" and "El Jarabe Loco."  The stage had a wooden floor.  With everyone in the group doing the stomping footwork, it made it difficult to here the music.  We held it together fine, but it taught me another lesson.  Lesson two:  You have to know the dance and the music well enough not to depend on anything - including hearing the music.  I finished my portion of the show and I was pleased just to make it through it.  I graded my performance a "B".  Not bad for being my first time out.  I was encouraged because it made me realize that I may actually be able to do this dancing stuff. 

The following Sunday we had another performance.  It was Mother's Day, May 13, 2012.  The Catholic Church in Claremont was having their annual carnival and Herencia was invited to perform on their stage.  This was my first performance that was open to the public at no charge.  I created an event of it on Facebook and invited many of my family, friends and co-workers.  A few came out including Richard's family and he dedicated the show to his mother.  I performed the same regions and dances as before with a couple of additions.  This time Richard added an audience participation dance.  We all dressed up in our Chihuahua costumes and asked people in the audience to dance with us.  My own co-worker stood me up when I asked her to dance!  So I found myself another reluctant partner.  Lesson three:  Finding a willing dance partner is hard.  I also performed another Jalisco dance with the group called "Guadalajara," which is how Richard closes all his shows. 

Again, I graded my performance a "B".  The stage surface at this show was slick.  Very slippery.  Also, one of the other men in the group failed to show up for the performance and we had to alter choreography at the last minute.  Lesson four:  There will be a challenge you face at every performance, you have to learn to roll with the punches.  After the show another co-worker and friend asked me to do the Three Amigos dance so he could record it on his phone.  He begged me and I finally gave into him.  I am going to post it on Facebook. Check it out.  My page is:  One Big Wedo - Guero and you can find it under the photos/videos.  I tried to insert the video here but it wouldn't allow me to, so sorry.                                       

As a result of dancing at the Mariachi de Azusa Fundraiser event, two other performance opportunities for Herencia opened up.  Both with live mariachi!  The first was a performance at Azusa Memorial Park.  I really enjoyed this performance because there was a small group of folks, including the mayor, that formed a cheering section for the "big wedo!"  Another was a private birthday event in a different Azusa park.  Herencia recreated the same audience participation dance.  One of the female dancer's got herself a man to dance with and after the show she told me that he commented to her, "That's one tall Mexican!"  "No" she replied, "He's a guero!" and the man was confused and shocked, both at the same time.  I get that reaction a lot once it's revealed I'm a white boy. 

In current news, Herencia just had their first performance of 2013 last Saturday!  We started the show with Vera Cruz.  I gave my performance an "A" for the Vera Cruz portion of the show.  I even performed a dance called, "El Palomo y La Paloma" with one of the ladies in the group.  This is a dance that I wanted to learn from the start of my folklorico quest.  It was just the two of us dancing it on stage.  I think it was the best I've ever performed the dance.  And true to lesson two, you could hardly hear the music, but we did just fine.  The rest of the show, for me personally, needed work.  Definitely, some opportunities to learn from.  I will be blogging about those in the future. 

Several years ago I met Beyonce in Lake Tahoe/Stateline, Nevada.  Yes, thee Beyonce.  I had purchased a premium concert ticket package to one of her concerts.  It was during her B'Day album tour.  The package included many benefits such as backstage pass, meet and greet, photo opportunity and front row seating.  I like to do things right.  The meet and greet happened prior to the show and the last thing I remember saying to her was, "I'll see you out there, I'm in the front row!"  The "Queen Bee" rocked it.  About half way through the show, I realized one of her back up singers was looking at me and I smiled and waived at her.  Next thing I knew, Beyonce asked, "Where are my players at?" and her back up singer said, "He thinks he's a player right there!" and she pointed at me.  What?  Oh Nooooooooooooooooo!  Beyonce walked over to the edge of the stage where I was at and said, "So you think you're a player huh?"  In that moment, fear set in.  Why?  Because all I could think of was, "She's going to pull onto the stage.  I can't dance.  I'm going to look stupid."  I had stage fright.

She didn't pull me or anyone on stage.  Had she, I would have been a star example that many white folks can not dance well at all.  People tell me all the time that it would have been a great experience to dance with Beyonce on stage like that, but for me I was relieved.  Guess I have a phobia of looking bad or ridiculous in front of people.  That's my version of the story of that night and I'm sticking with it.

I admire Beyonce.  She has worked very, very hard and it shows in her performances.  During her recent Super Bowl performance you could see the amount of hard work and practice that went into it.  I appreciate her consistent precision in executing her dances that contributes to a stellar performance every time.  I need more of that.  It's performers and performances like that, that make me want to work harder and strive to be a better dancer.  I don't perform anywhere near that scale of show but I still would like to deliver a winning performance every time. 

         

Love the cheesy smile on my face.  They said, "Say cheese!" and I delivered.  Looks like I'm ready to hit the stage myself!  Just call me "Little Swiss Miss!"

Don't Worry!  I'm not going to be posting any YouTube videos of me trying to do my own version of "Single Ladies."  You know how I feel about leotards and body suits rank the same.  However, if I could get Richard and a couple of the other guy dancers to dress up in their charro suits and record a video to it, I would be down.  That would be priceless and probably go viral!  It may happen and I will keep up informed of any developments!  Now put your hands up!

In high school and college I did a lot a performing.  Music, theater and opera primarily.  Then I took nearly 17 years off.  I am happy and pleased that folklorico has given me opportunities to perform again.  Especially in this season of my life.   

Below is a list of performances I have participated in.  At the time this blog post was published there were 16 performing events, seven with live mariachi.  I did not include any impromptu, unscheduled and un-costumed events, although there have been at least three, all with live mariachi.  I will be adding to this list as performance opportunities arise in 2013.  I've been taking lessons now for 16 months and performing for 10 months.  I'm excited to see what new opportunities present themselves.  Perhaps I will be dancing for your event next!    

Live Performances:

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 - OLA Fiesta - 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:  LA 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 (Ballet Folklorico Mi Tierra)

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 - Inland Regional Center - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)

May 11, 2014 - OLA Fiesta 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)

March 7, 2015 - Documentary Interview - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)

March 21, 2016 - LySandra's Quinceanera Private Event - Bloomington, CA (Herencia Mexicana) (Live Mariachi) (Directoral Role Only)

April 11, 2015 - 65th Birthday Party - Moose Lodge - Mentone, California (Herencia Mexicana)

April 18, 2015 - IEHP San Bernardino Grand Opening - San Bernardino, CA

(Herencia Mexicana)

April 24, 2015 - San Bernardino Valley College Spanish Club Event - San Bernardino, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

April 25, 2015 - The National Orange Show Festival 100th Anniversary Performance - Cultural Stage - San Bernardino, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

April 26, 2015 - City of Azusa Cinco de Mayo Celebration at City Hall - Azusa, CA (Herencia Mexicana - 2 shows) - Live Mariachi

May 2, 2015 - Knott's Berry Farm - Buena Park, CA - Calico Stage (Herencia Mexicana)

May 3, 2015 - Mosiaco Arts & Music Festival - San Bernardino Symphony - Perris Hill Park Roosevelt Bowl - San Bernardino, CA (Herencia Mexicana - 2 Shows)
May 10, 2015 - OLA Fiesta - Our Lady Of Assumption Church & School - Claremont, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

May 16, 2015 - Private Event - Wedding Engagement - Balwin Park, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

May 23, 2015 - 12th Annual Folklor de Mexico Show with BFA de CSUN - Plaza Del Sol Performing Arts Center - Northridge, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

May 30, 2015 - Anaheim Marketplace - Anaheim, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

June 6, 2015 - San Diego Fair - Plaza Stage - Delmar, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

June 7, 2015 - WeCeed Garden Fair - Salvation Army - Red Shield Youth Center - Los Angeles, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

June 19, 2015 - Club El Potrero - Denver Pride - Denver, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana)

June 20, 2015 - Denver Pride Festival - Latin Stage - Civic Center Park - Denver, Colorado - 2 Shows (Herencia Mexicana)

June 21, 2015 - Denver Pride Festival - Latin Stage - Civic Center Park - Denver, Colorado (Herencia Mexicana)

June 27, 2015 - Private Wedding Reception - O'Malleys On Main - Seal Beach, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

July 9, 2015 - Azusa Memorial Park with Mariachi Camino Real - Azusa, CA (Herencia Mexicana)(Live Mariachi)

July 25, 2015 - Private Birthday Party Event - Santa Ana, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

August 1, 2015 - Disney California Adventure - Disney Community Arts Showcase - Hollywood Backlot Stage - Anaheim, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

August 21, 2015 - Inland Empire 66ers Baseball Game - San Manuel Stadium Field - San Bernardino, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

September 7, 2015 - LA County Fair - Plaza de Las Americas Stage - Pomona Fairplex - Pomona, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

September 12, 2015 - City of Azusa Fiesta.  Azusa Senior Center - Azusa, CA (Herencia Mexicana) (Directoral Role Only)

September 13, 2015 - Plaza de Culturas y Ates - Los Angeles, CA (Herencia Mexicana) (Directoral Role Only)

October 3, 2015 - Anaheim Marketplace - Anaheim, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

October 18, 2015 - Documentary Taping - Los Angeles, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

October 31, 2015 - Olvera Street / Placita Olvera & El Pueblo Landmark Dia de Los Muertos - Los Angeles, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

November 7, 2015 - Riverside Dia de Los Muertos Festival - 10th & Market Street - Riverside, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

November 14, 2015 - Herencia Mexicana's 25th Anniversary Gala - The Renaissance Banquet Hall - Redlands, CA (Herencia Mexicana)

December 4, 2015 - WTG 18th Annual Holiday Event - La Quinta Resort - La Casa Courtyard - La Quinta, California (Herencia Mexicana)

December 12, 2015 - Disney's Viva Navidad - Disney California Adventure - Goofy's Sky School - Anaheim, California  (Herencia Mexicana) (4 Performances)

December 13, 2015 - Disney's Viva Navidad - Disney California Adventure - Goofy's Sky School - Anaheim, California (Herencia Mexicana) (2 Performances) 

February 13, 2016 - Recreation & Park Services Department - Private Quinceanera Event - Norwalk, California (Herencia Mexicana)
June 17, 2016 - La Plaza de Culturas y Artes 5th Anniversary Celebration Event & CBS Channel 9 News - Los Angeles, California (Herencia Mexicana)
June 26, 2016 - The Rock Church and World Outreach Center - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana) (Live Mariachi)
August 13, 2016 - Anaheim Brewery - Anaheim, California (Esencia Dance Company)
October 15, 2016 - Private Event - Wedding - Fontana, California (Herencia Mexicana)

November 5, 2016 - Private Event - Birthday Party - Etiwanda, California (Herencia Mexicana)
May 5, 2017 - Mariscos Los Camaradas Restaurant Cinco de Mayo Celebration - Ontario, California (Herencia Mexicana)
May 27, 2017 - Private Event - Birthday Party - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 29, 2017 - Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary Dia de Los Muertos Celebration - Bloomington, California (Herencia Mexicana)
November 3, 2017 - Summit High School Dia de Los Muertos Celebration - Fontana, California (Herencia Mexicana) (2 Performances)
December 12, 2017 - Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe Services - Private Event - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
February 26, 2018 - Plymouth Village - Redlands, California (Herencia Mexicana)
March 31, 2018 - Eastvale Community Center - 100th Birthday Party Private Event - Eastvale, California (Herencia Mexicana)
May 4, 2018 - Summit High School - Cinco de Mayo Celebrations - Fontana, California (Herencia Mexicana) (2 Performances)
May 20, 2018 - St. Bernardine's Catholic Church - Church Saint Celebration - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
September 15, 2018 - Norton Younglove Community Center - Quinceanera Private Event - Riverside, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 5, 2018 - Dia de los Muertos Fashion Show - Fontana, California (Tierra de Mi Padre/Herencia Mexicana)
October 13, 2018 - VFW Post 8737 - Quinceanera Private Event - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 20, 2018 - Gala de la Hispanidad "Fortalecindo Nuestras Raices" - Redlands Centro de Estaca - California Temple - Redlands, California (Herencia Mexicana/Tierra de Mi Padre)
November 2, 2018 - Summit High School - Dia de los Muertos Celebration - Fontana, California (Herencia Mexicana) (2 Performances)
December 1, 2018 - Quinceanera Private Event - Bloomington, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 8, 2018 - Birthday Private Event - Fontana, California (Tierra de Mi Padre/Herencia Mexicana)
December 12, 2018 - Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe Services - Private Event - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
March 23, 2019 - Shandin Hill Country Club - Quinceanera - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
April 20, 2019 - American Legion - Private Event - Redland, California (Herencia Mexicana) (Live Mariachi)
May 9, 2019 - Summit High School - Cinco de Mayo Celebrations - Fontana, California (Herencia Mexicana) (2 Performances)
May 9, 2019 - Bradley Elementary School - Mother's Day Celebration - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
June 16, 2019 - Pancho Villas Mexican Restaurant - Father's Day - Victorville, California (3 Performances - Live Mariachi) (Herencia Mexicana)
June 29, 2019 - Private Event - Uptowner - Quinceranera - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)
October 26, 2019 - Private Event - Illusion Dance Hall - Quinceanera - Chula Vista, California (Herencia Mexicana) (Live Mariachi)
November 30, 2019 - Private Event - American Legion - Anniversary - Baldwin Park, California (Herencia Mexicana) (Live Mariachi)
December 7, 2019 - Private Event - Veteran's Recreation Center - Birthday Party - Chula Vista, California (Herencia Mexicana)
December 12, 2019 - Dia de la Virgin de Guadalupe Services - Private Event - San Bernardino, California (Herencia Mexicana)

Advertisements & Certificates of Recognition for performances I've participated in:

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.

The Miracles of Dancing - Week 6

Welcome Poland!  Thank you for joining the journey!  To date, I have had readership from Croatia, Germany, Malaysia, Poland, South Korea, The United Kingdom and The USA!  A world tour is shaping up nicely.   Hint, hint!  I can hardly believe it.  Where are my readers from Australia, Canada, China, India, Mexico and Russia?  I hope to reach the entire globe.  Every Nation!  There's still time - 46 weeks left.

I want to take a moment to thank Multicultural California for the generous comments about my blog on Facebook.  I appreciate your perspective and encouragement.  Well stated.  I advise everyone reading to visit the Multicultural California page on Facebook and check out the posting on their timeline.  Multicultural California supports the arts by video documenting and photographing various dancing forms from around the globe.  The photos and videos can be found on You Tube and Facebook.  Check them out!  Also, this week's wedo word spelling comes from your comments:  Wero!  A fine addition to the ever growing list! 

In a rush to publish my blog last Sunday before everyone got involved with the Super Bowl, my proof reading lapsed and there were a few grammar and spelling errors.  Oops, apparently the wedo doesn't know English well either!  My apologies.  I corrected them on Monday and updated the blog.  I tried to let them slide and was going to make it a game of sorts for my readers to try to find as many errors as possible, but it kept eating at me.  So I fixed 'em.  However, I'm sure there are still many, many errors in my writing and hope you are reading my blog for the entertainment and informational value and not for it's superb literary writing.  I need an editor!  I am guilty of being a perfectionist.  "Michael, you are so hard on yourself," my friends always say.  Guilty!  I drive myself nuts! 

For all the Super Bowl fans who saw my Super Bowl winner prediction on Facebook, that the 49ers were going to win, I'm sorry.  I'm not a psychic!  I will just stick with the folklorico dancing and refrain from making anymore predictions.  I've had people tell me that they weren't going to follow my blog anymore due to the false prediction!  Wow, get a life!  Here I went to all that trouble to cause a power outage at the big game, just so you could take a few minutes and read my new post!  So unappreciated!  No more favors for you!  You have no idea how difficult it was to pull that off!

In other news, I accomplished something this week that I never intended or set out to do in life!  I am officially accused of being a "cyber stalker!"  This one blew me away.  Twitter suspended my account because apparently too many of their users blocked me or labelled my tweets as spam.  This flagged my account.  I was shocked because I only have five followers on Twitter.  I'm new to Twitter and the only reason I got an account was to develop an audience for the blog.  To my surprise, Twitter feels I am harassing their members.  OMG!  Really? 

Perhaps I am missing the whole Twitter concept here.  People write posts and include hash marks for key words should anyone search for the topic they are writing about.  So I searched for "folklorico" and several tweets came up by users with that interest.  I selected to "follow" these people, that share the common interest of folklorico, in hopes they might take an interest in me and follow me too.  That makes me a stalker?  Am I mistaken here?  Isn't the whole premise of Twitter to "follow" people?  The term "follow" is stalker-ish in itself.  I am befuddled.  How embarrassing for following people and getting kicked off a site that dedicated to following people. 

I had to agree to a bunch of terms and conditions and they un-suspended my account with a warning that I needed to discontinue my bad behavior or I will be permanently banned from the site.  The folklorico dancing wedo is a danger to Internet society!  I promptly un-followed everyone that I was following.  Bottom line here is, you can still follow me on Twitter, but I won't be following anyone.  Hopefully those that would have an interest in this blog will find me.  Your help in sharing my posts and spreading the word is more important than ever! 

Lastly, it was brought to my attention this week that I talk about Richard a lot in this blog, which is to be about me and my experience.  Truth is without Richard there would be no folklorico wedo or a blog for that matter.  Richard taught me everything I know about folklorico.  He has been by my side throughout the entire journey.  Therefore, I will be talking about him.  He is part of every chapter of my story, but I would only be a paragraph or two in his.  He is the real deal.  He has lived a folklorico dancing life.  A future project that I would like to do is write his biography and the history of Herencia Mexicana.  He has a truly amazing story to share.

The Miracles of Dancing

As you already know, I grew up in Michigan.  The good old Midwest.  My father was a minister.  He was a pastor of the United Methodist Church for a time.  The church owned a campground and we lived in the parsonage there on the property.  My parents also ran and maintained the grounds.  My father had a big tractor that he used to do many of the assorted tasks that needed to be performed.  In the fall of 1978, August to be exact, my father hitched up a semi truck flat bed trailer on the back of the tractor.  It was time to prepare for the winter snowfall.  There were many picnic tables on the grounds.  The tables had metal legs on them that would rust from the water and snow.  To avoid the rust, every fall the tables were collected and stored under a pavilion.  It was table harvest time.

It was a week before my fourth birthday.  A friend of my father's came to help with loading up the tables onto the flat bed trailer to be taken and stored.  I decided to tag along for the days work.  In the front of the large industrial farm tractor was a hug scoop which was used for dirt removal, digging and/or plowing snow.  That day I was riding along in the scoop of the tractor while the adult men did their work.  I was dragging my feet and we moved along.  Sure enough, I fell out of the scoop and under the tractor I went.  Unfortunately, my father did not see this happen as he was looking back at the trailer.  All I remember was the bone crushing pressure as the front tires went across my body.  It knock the wind out of me and I couldn't even cry out for help.  The terrain was bumpy and it was common to jerk around while driving.  My father thought nothing of the little bump and continued onward.  Then came the large rear wheel of the tractor and underneath I went.  This time the tractor had some difficulty making it over and I remember it kind of stopping on top of me briefly before spitting me out behind.  Then, horror set in as my father realized what had happened.


I remember my father jumping off the tractor in panic and fear and rushed over to my limp body.  He picked me up and ran to the parsonage calling for my mother.  My mother came running out of the house and my father passed me off to her and they jumped into the Suburban truck to rush me to the hospital.  Indeed, there was comfort in mother's arms.  As we went to the hospital I told my mom, "Look!"  My arm had a gash on it where the flesh had been ripped away and was bleeding.  I remember mom putting a paper towel on it.  We arrived at the hospital where the emergency staff were waiting and ready.  They took me in and laid me on a cold metal table.  They removed my clothes and gave me a catheter.  What exactly happened after that I do not recall.  All I can say is, "Ouch!"  It was a horribly traumatic event.

For the next several months I was in the hospital.  I had broken my pelvis and sustained multiple injuries.  I was the only child in the area of the children's wing where I was recovering.  One day a lady from the church came and visited me.  She must have sensed I was bored out of my mind because she went home and made several stuff animal toys for me.  One was a big hippo and another was a yellow bird.  I also had a Rocky & Bullwinkle coloring book.  I made a full recovery and the hospital called me "The Miracle Boy."  Throughout the rest of my childhood my mother continued to call me her "Little Miracle Boy."  On the day I left the hospital, one of the nursing staff asked me if I would like to leave my coloring book so other children that came would have something to do.  I told them, "NO!"  What a brat!  After all that, I hadn't lost my spunk!


The photos above are not of the actual tractor, but they will give you an idea of what I'm talking about and the size.  In 1983, my family moved away from the camp leaving the tractor behind.  I took only the memory of it and the events affiliated with it, with me.  I was in the 3rd grade.  If you have ever seen the movie, Faith Like Potatoes, there is a scene where a child falls off a tractor and gets run over and is killed. It's based on a true story.  Later in life, I watched this movie with my parents.  When it came to this scene, you could read their faces which reflected the pain and fear they experienced earlier in life.  Life had moved on but the memories remain.

I believe in miracles.  Do you?  Let me count the miracles from just this single incident.

1.)  I got ran over by a farm tractor and lived to tell about it. 
2.)  The front tires and the rear tire both ran over my mid section.  The rear tire should have crushed my head.
3.)  I made a full recovery and could walk.
4.)  Not only could I walk, but 33 years later I started to dance folklorico.
5.)  God worked a miracle in my life and blessed me with gifts.  Those gifts are life and folklorico.  God always gives the best gifts!

What miracles do you count?

I have a melancholy personality.  Ya Think!  In the summer of 2011 when this whole journey began, I was in sad shape - emotionally, socially and physically.  I had gone through a stressful and rough two years for many reasons.  I became very down and depressed.  Dancing folklorico has been a form of therapy for me and has helped me pull my life back together.  Not only is it a miracle that I can dance at all, but God used folklorico to work a miracle in me as well.  It wasn't anything that I anticipated in life.  I'm actually quite surprised.  But I am grateful.

Be sure to check back Sunday for new big wedo posting.  Next week I'm sharing the first dance performance and you won't want to miss that!

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 To Wear? - Week 5

Hello Everyone!  Thank you for all of your support by reading my blog and sharing in my journey.  A special shout out to my new followers this week from Germany and The United Kingdom, it is nice to have you as part of my blogging history.  Who knows, perhaps I'll go on a world tour to the countries with readership after I conclude my blog.  That would be fun!  In fact, I'll promise to do it if anyone wants to fully sponsor such a thing - "The Herencia Mexicana World Tour 2014" featuring the "One Big Wedo!"  Any takers?  Shoot, I'll even settle for a national tour!  But in order to do so, I need to know what States you all are from.  So go now, yes right now, to my Facebook page, One Big Wedo, and "like" it so I know where you're all from.  Part of the enjoyment for me in this is to meet my readers.  If you don't have a Facebook, create one!  Its free and easy.  If you've already "liked" me, then just keep on reading, reading, reading!

I am getting your feedback.  Thank you.  If you're having difficulty leaving a comment on this page, you can e-mail me directly at onebigwedo@gmail.com or you can follow me on Facebook by clicking "like" on my page:  One Big Wedo (Guero).  If you've been reading from the beginning of this post, then you should have already done this!  And for those of you Twitterers out there, you can get my tweets by following me on Twitter:  Michael Smith @onebigwedo.  Hope to hear from you soon.  If you have enjoyed reading my posts, please share them with your friends and family.  I appreciate your recommendations and helping a wedo out to spread the word out there.  It has been fun for me to write them.  This week I added some new features to my blog page layout, you can now follow me via your email or on Google+.  I also added an option to translate the blog into other languages, although I'm not sure if the humor will come across.  I'm also taking a survey poll.  Just look for the new features along the top, bottom and side of the page layout.

Want to see me dance?  You can!  Just head over to YouTube and search for "Herencia Riverside."  Two videos should pop up that are on the "folkloricochannel".  Or you can try these links I have provided here:  http://youtu.be/yY5ovh9y-3M and http://youtu.be/rOTE8CLTZ4M .  The first song is called La Dificultosa and the second is called La Jesusita.  This was a performance last December at the Festival of Lights in the beautiful Mission Inn District in downtown Riverside, California.  I learned those two dances in a week!  The week before the show to be exact.  Not too shabby!  I hope you enjoy them.

This week a funny thing happened to me, which is not all that unusual.  A man ask me if my middle name was "wedo" because they call me "the wedo."  Come on people, really?  Are we just not getting it?  So now my name is Michael Wedo Smith!  My mom and pops may take issue with that because they named me Michael Dale Smith.  Regardless, I thought it was funny.  I guess it was in my destiny to entertain, better to be a folklorico dancer than a Chippen-Dale!  Trust me, no one wants to see that!  And to top it off,  a friend called me a "weeeee-doh", instead of "whedo" this week.  I thought I was the only one who had trouble saying those Spanish words.  I am frequently told, "Michael your Spanish is painful to my ears."  I'm sorry, its my Michigan accent, don't cha know?  Enough already!  Let's get going!

For Christmas 2011, Richard gave me a Chihuahua suit.  Now, up to that point, I hadn't even started learning the region of Chihuahua.  He was planting the seed.  He was tapping into my addiction of clothing and accessorizing in hopes of provoking me to keep dancing.  It was as if he was conducting some sort of great Freudian experiment to see what the wedo would do.  It worked because it motivated me to continue onward.  In those moments when I was ready to quit, all I could think of was, "what a waste of a costume, you better make this happen."  If you watch the videos that I recommended above, you will see me in that Chihuahua suit. 

In the early months of 2012, we took a trip to El Mercado in East Los Angeles to find him a new hat for Vera Cruz.  His had seen better days.  We didn't find that hat he needed, but Richard bought me a camisa guayabera, a white shirt worn for the region of Vera Cruz.  They had one that fit me!  Let's take pause here to clarify this word guayabera.  Yes, it's another Spanish word that is spelled nothing like it sounds.  I pronounce and spell it, "Why-a-vetta."  It's kind of a fun word to say.  Practice saying it, Why-A-Vetta.  No men, it's not "buy-a-vetta," it's "why-a-vetta."  No showing up in the driveway at your home with a new Corvette and telling the wife that "the wedo made you do it."  And for you fish enthusiasts, it's not "buy-a -betta" either.  Wasn't that random?  To have some fun with it, try saying, "wedos wearing white whyavettas while wowing wiggling watchers watch wonderful workmanship!" 10 times fast.  Come on, just try it!  I told you it was a fun word!

Afterwards, we headed over to Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles to continue the hunt for a Vera Cruz hat.  For those of you reading that are not familiar with the Los Angeles area, Olvera Street is a historical area downtown that is rich with Mexican heritage and tourism.  It is the local Mexican mecca, complete with restaurants, shopping and an area for dance where you commonly see Folklorico and Azteca dances being performed.  There you will find El Pueblo de Los Angeles monument.  You will also find a wedo eating a hot dog and being harassed by his friends for eating a hot dog instead of some local Mexican food.  That wedo would be me.  I'm sorry, the hot dogs are delicious down town.  I'm honored they thought of me when they wrote the menu.  I just look for the Gringo Specials.  I need to focus, let's get back on track.

Not only did we find the hat for Richard, we found a hat for me and a pair of white pantalones and a nice red silk hanker chief.  I made out!  We found a black sombrero that fit my big head, so I picked that up too.  Richard was buying some fans from Spain for his lady dancers and came across two nice men's ties worn with the charro suit.  He picked those up for us as well.  It was a shopping frenzy.  I love those days.  The costumes were coming along nicely.  I got back home and bought a pair of white folklorico boots and my Vera Cruz costume was complete.  If you visit my page on Facebook, you will see a couple of photos of me in my Vera Cruz costume.   

Some time later, on a Sunday, we took another trip to downtown Los Angeles to The House of Mariachi, a local business that is well known for their excellence in quality charro suits.  Many famous musicians use them for their performing costumes.  Across the street you will find the famous Mariachi Plaza Gazebo, where local mariachis stand and wait for daily work.  I was fitted for my charro suit that day.  A couple weeks later, I went back for my final fitting and brought it home.  Check out my picture of the fitting below.  The staff there was amused with me.  A non-Spanish speaking white man that dances folklorico.  Interesting.  Good thing I had Richard there to translate and communicate for me.

A charro suit is what is worn for the region of Jalisco.  You have probably seen mariachi musicians wear them.  Jalisco is the birthplace of the mariachi music, so it makes sense.  They are tight and we get to dance in them.  Eat your heart out!  One of my favorite things to do after a performance is to go out among the audience and hand out business cards in my charro suit.  The ladies love it and always want their picture taken with the man in the fitted suit.  In Mexican culture, seeing a man in a charro suit is like seeing a man in a military uniform in American culture.  It is given respect.  The last photo below is of Richard and I at my first performance, which I will be addressing in a future blog post. 

As I have learned dances from other regions, the costume collection has grown.  They are like medals of honor, representing another dance learned from a new region that is about to go on stage.  Other times they represent hope, a goal set in anticipation of one day performing the region.  I want to collect them all and have one in every color.  I'm up to five now!

In addition to gathering my costumes, I have had the unique opportunity to travel with Richard and assist in getting the costumes for the dance group.  In Richard's group, Herencia Mexicana, the costumes are provided for the members who perform on stage.  This is a huge benefit because most groups have the students pay for their own costumes, which can get very costly.  Some of the dresses for the women can run upwards of $500 or more for just one region.  If you're dancing 3 to 5 regions in a show, well, you can do the math.  So by providing the costumes, Richard makes it possible for everyone to participate.  Richard doesn't spare any expense when it comes to the costumes.  He likes the best.  He always says, "You only have one chance to make that first impression."

There are standard generic costumes available on the market, but most of Richard's are custom made.  He has his own seamstresses.  Each region has a base costume look that is required.  Typically, most folklorico groups that custom make their costumes build upon that base and do something to make it their own signature outfit by design, all while remaining true to the region.  For example, some may use a particular type of lace or ribbon in their costume.  There is some flexibility as long as you keep within the rules of the region and don't go overboard.  No modifying a full length skirt to a mini.  That's a no no.  Groups take great pride in their signature costumes.  It give them a sense of ownership and uniqueness on the stage.  And it can lead to a lot of dance drama if a group steals another group's look or costume design. 

Richard and I have made numerous trips to L.A.'s fabric and garment district looking for that perfect material, ribbon, lace and trim for the dresses.  Then there are the hair pieces for the women.  Custom braids with ribbon and/or flowers.  Then there's the jewelry.  Lots of details and it never ends.  Thank God I'm a man!  It's not as complicated.  So there it is, What To Wear?  Well, that all depends on what region you're dancing.  Hope you enjoyed it.

In closing, anyone interested in Herencia Mexicana is encouraged to check out their Facebook page and friend request them.  Also, if you are in the Los Angeles or Inland Empire area and want to learn to dance folklorico or to book Herencia Mexicana to perform at your next event, contact Richard Solorzano at (909) 201-1957.  Later peeps, 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.