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Dancers, acrobats heat up Valley winter
Our bodies are the original artistic medium. Before we made movies or played instruments or painted, we danced. We moved. Every motion has a meaning. Today, performance artists --- dancers, acrobats, clowns, etc. --- create art using only what they were born with. With the world-famous Cirque du Soleil preparing to make a stop in McAllen, Festiva takes a glance at the ways grand and small that the ancient art of performance still manifests itself in the Rio Grande Valley. This chilly season, take some time to admire the artists whose passion quite literally runsf through their blood, down to the soles of their feet, straight into their hearts.
- CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT FAMOUS DANCERS AND PERFORMANCE ARTISTS FROM THE VALLEY
Click the links below to find out more
>> Cirque Du Soleil: Saltimbanco
>> The Nutcracker
>> Ahava Middle Eastern Dance Group
>> University of Texas-Pan American Dance Program
>> Calypso Dance Group
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S SALTIMBANCO
When: Dec. 17-21
Where: Dodge Arena
Price: Tickets range from $46 to $95 for adults and $32 to $76 for children under 12
Call: (956) 668-7740
Performing arts doesn't get any more complex, any more artistic or any more compelling than Cirque du Soleil.
With a total of seven touring shows and seven permanent shows worldwide, Cirque du Soleil has more than mastered the art of entertainment. And if you don't have the money to jet off and catch their shows in Las Vegas or Orlando, Cirque du Soleil is coming to the Valley with its stage show, Saltimbanco.
- READ AN INTERVIEW WITH A CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CLOWN
Explaining to first timers exactly what to expect is nearly impossible, said head coach for Salimbanco Michael Ocampo.
"If they've never seen an acrobatic circus before, Cirque du Soleil tries to take the traditional circus and make it into a modern day performance art piece," he said. "Every aspect of the show is thought of, created, directed, composed and constructed (intricately). It's the whole package, really."
Saltimbanco is Cirque du Soleil's oldest running show; it opened in 1992. Over the years it has been shown to more than 10 million people. Saltimbanco is more light-hearted and family friendly than more recent Cirque du Soleil spectacles, Ocampo said.
Upon seeing the show for the first time, Ocampo, a longtime tumbler and gymnast, said he was astounded.
"I was sitting on the edge of my seat with my jaw slacked, and that's because acrobatics was not new to me," he said.
Through color and movement, Saltimbanco explores the ins and outs of urban existence, from the people who live there to concrete jungle itself. In 2007, the show was reconfigured to become more tour-friendly and more easily performed in arenas.
Simply put, the show is a major production. It takes a dozen 53-foot trailers to bring the 1,200 costume items, 110-foot-long stage and 49 performers into town.
You've got eight chances in a five-day span to catch the one that started it all, right in your corner of the world. See it so you'll know what all of us are talking about.
It's a holiday tradition for many families. The Nutcracker is performed the world over by aspiring 5-year-old ballerinas and prima ballerinas alike. The story of Clara and her dream of the Nutcracker prince has charmed countless people over the years. Between the Waltz of Flowers and the Sugar Plum Fairy, what's not to love about the magic of Christmas Eve and an active imagination? The Rio Grande Valley has already had a few dance studios perform the beloved classic in Edinburg and Brownsville. December is not over yet, though. You can catch two more presentations of the ballet this year in McAllen.
Rio Grande Valley Ballet's performance
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: McAllen Civic Center Auditorium, 1300 S. 10th St.
COST: $12-24
BUY TICKETS: www.ez-tixx.com, Melharts Music, Wireless Toyz, Lionels Western Wear or at the McAllen Convention Center.
Dance Conservatory of McAllen's performance
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 22, 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: McAllen Civic Center Auditorium, 1300 S. 10th St.
COST: $4.99
BUY TICKETS: www.dcofm.com using PayPal, at the Dance Conservatory of McAllen, 4320 N. Bicentennial, or one hour before the performance at the McAllen Civic Center
AHAVA MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE GROUP
When: Dec. 21
Where: Toys for Tots fundraising event, TBA, Harlingen
Call: (956) 386-1129
They're a small group, but Lacy Williams, director and performer with the three-member Ahava Middle Eastern Dance group, said they know how to put on a show.
"I think it's a super exciting opportunity to expose people to another kind of dance. I think there's often a misconception that it has no significance and no meaning, which is the exact opposite," she said.
With two other dancers by her side, also sporting belly dancing garb, the trio has even danced their way into some awards. The group took third this year at a national choreography competition in Austin. Their success is a far cry from their less than popular beginning, said Williams.
"When I moved down here three years ago it was not very popular and it was hard to find people (to perform and watch)," said Williams, who is a teacher at Danzar de Rey Duran. "Now people are getting to know it and know it's a beautiful art form. I think it's totally awesome."
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN DANCE PROGRAM
Ballet Folklorico's Allegria
When: Starting Feb. 6
Where: University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg
OK, so their next performance is technically just after winter concludes, but The University of Texas-Pan American's dance group never fails to impress with their productions.
Melinda Blomquist, co-director for the dance ensemble, said those student who pursue performance at UTPA, have learned what it takes to put on a pristine presentation.
"The students who choose to pursue performance have a great desire to perform; it's an important part of the art of dance, sacrificing all the time that is required,"
While folklorico is a popular performance avenue at UTPA, Blomquist said modern dance is catching on.
"Because of the well-rounded training they get, they're able to explore many different avenues depending on what their interests are," she said.
Look for performances from all of UTPA's dance groups to take place mostly in spring.
CALYPSO DANCE GROUP
When: Jan. 31
Where: Citrus Fest, Mission
Online: www.myspace.com/rgvdanceteam
