STC’s Ballet Folklórico during a recent event in Edinburg. The college’s Ballet Folklórico and Conjunto Jaguar will perform in Austin at the Mexican Independence Day “Fiestas Patrias” Celebration on Sept. 15, 2012.
South Texas College’s Ballet Folklórico and Conjunto Jaguar will take their act on the road for the Mexican Independence Day festivities on Sept. 15 when they perform at downtown Austin’s Old Republic Square at 1:30 p.m. and headline the celebration at the Emma Barrientos Mexican American Community Center at 8 p.m.
STC’s Ballet Folklórico and Conjunto Jaguar debuted at the unveiling of the Tejano Monument at Austin in late March, and were extended an invitation by the City of Austin and the Mexican Consulate in Austin to participate in the Mexican Independence Day “Fiestas Patrias” celebration, which marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month that is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
“We are extremely honored and humbled by this invitation,” said STC Center for Mexican American Studies Coordinator Victor Gomez. “It speaks volumes about our performers, who have prepared tirelessly all summer long for this important event, as well as to their performing ability as professionals to get such an invitation. I am proud of their energy, efforts, and commitment for this opportunity to represent our region, community, and South Texas College.”
STC’s Conjunto Jaguar performs during the Starr County Campus Festival in Rio Grande City on April 17, 2012.
The college’s Ballet Folklórico will showcase “Jarabes de Nochistlán” from the Mexican state of Zacatecas, “Sonora Bronco” from Sonora state, and “Calabaceados” from Baja California during the two Fiestas Patrias performances. Conjunto Jaguar will accompany the Ballet Folklórico.
“This has been one of the most tiring and rewarding summers in a long time for sure. We have been preparing for this huge performance for months,” said STC Ballet Folklórico Coordinator Norma Silva. “It is so energizing to see how every single member of the group gets excited when we bring up the performance at Austin
“The first time we had the opportunity to perform over there we left a great impression and the door of opportunity was left open for us,” she concluded. “This time, performing during the most important Mexican holiday makes us even prouder of our roots, and we want to represent the Valley and our beloved Mexico with all our hearts.”
For more information about STC’s Ballet Folklórico and Conjunto Jaguar, contact Victor Gomez at vgomez@southtexascollege.edu or 956-872-2070.
