The Ballet Folklórico UT Pan American to present Invitational Dance

The University of Texas Pan American Ballet Folklórico presented “Escaparate 2008” Invitational Dance Concert featuring invited guests La Joya Ann Richards Middle School Grupo Folklórico and Hidalgo Aída Díaz Jr. High Grupo Folklórico on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. The invited groups performed with the UTPA Ballet Folklórico as part of a cultural exchange and community outreach project.

Every year the Ballet Folklórico selects two dance groups from the folkloric community to perform in a formal dance concert on the University campus. The outreach project serves to preserve and promote folkloric dance in the Rio Grande Valley and most importantly to showcase the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of the local dance groups and their directors.

The Ballet Folklórico hosted a series of events for the 60 local folkloric dance students and their directors. The two day event included a workshop and rehearsal on May 1, and a master class, school concert, and public concert on May 2. The outreach project also included several social events to promote communication between the local school groups and the University student/dancers in an effort to encourage higher education and instill an appreciation for the dance art of Mexico.