Story posted Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Fiesta 2010!
Dance Troupe, Rec Center Gear Up For Year's Worth Of Mexican Independence Celebrations
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
The Rosemont Recreation Center will be celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution with a series of speakers, programs, trips and dance throughout 2010.
The RRC is located in a predominately Latino neighborhood on the northern edge of Rosemont, north of Allstate Arena near Touhy Avenue.
RRC Supervisor Omar Camarillo said some type of event commemorating the anniversaries will be held each month throughout 2010. Though specifics are still in the planning stages, Camarillo said he wants to host speakers, programs and even potluck meals at the RRC and take trips to museums and cultural centers to learn more about Mexican culture.
Another opportunity to learn about Mexican culture at the RRC will come through dance performances. Ballet Folklorico Morelos is a Mexican folk dance troupe for children ages six to 11-years-old working out of the RRC. The troupe rehearses at the RRC on Tuesdays and Saturdays and at the Des Plaines Public Library on Mondays and Fridays. The group is working with the RRC to offer classes in Mexican folk dancing.
"We're teaching our kids our culture through art, music, dance and history," said group coordinator Karina Arcos.
The kids learn dances from every region of Mexico and study dances from periods dating from the ancient Aztecs to Mariachi dances from Guadalajara to current contemporary styles from Chiapas and Oaxaca.
The troupe started in September 2008 through a group of Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62 parents. The group held performances at North School in Des Plaines last month and last week and will perform again at the school next month. Other performances have been held at the Des Plaines Library and Northbrook.
Camarillo said he is still investigating opportunities for programming and will have more details soon.
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