Now Jesusita En Chihuahua

As promised, here is a post about some of the dancing at the Arts Festival, where Maria and her peers danced to Jesusita en Chihuahua. Our area Ballet Folklorico group was formed last November, and danced La Costilla in their first performance, barely a month ago. Since then, there was surge in class attendance. To make room for all the dancers, Maria was added to a group of older girls, and began learning the dance they've been preparing. New steps. New dress. New boots. It could be a bit daunting, but she loves it as much as ever.

At the Festival, Maria's teacher, Nadia, came with the San Diego group, Ballet Folklorico El Tapatio, and they did many beautiful dances. Nadia is in the white dress, and those beautiful waves of the skirt are called vuelo, flight. It takes strength and stamina to keep those yards and yards of fabric flying like that! It was the sweetest thing to see all of the little dancers come running out when they heard their teacher was performing... they dashed over to see her dance. Following the performances by Ballet Folklorico El Tapatio, there was Flamenco dancing {something that really caught Maria's eye.} And then came the youngest dancers from our local group, to dance the Costilla.

I have to admit, I was anxious for the girls dancing Jesusita. They'd had so few rehearsals, so many other things were new, too. I was wrong to worry. Nadia is a remarkable instructor, and once again, she did and said the right things to make it work. It helps that the girls are eager, and enjoy dancing. Their practice paid off, and before we knew it they were taking a bow. Maria laments how quickly the performance goes. So much anticipation and rehearsal, and then in two minutes it's over! But... there's another show this Thursday! Maria is thrilled. {And I am not worried a bit.}