Center offering master class in the art of Mexican Folkloric dance

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido (the Center) has partnered with Ballet Folklorico Tierra Caliente (BFTC) to offer local dance students the opportunity to explore the history and movement of Mexican Folkloric dance.

The two-hour intensive will take the students through the meaning of the movements, costumes and steps, and culminate with them learning a choreographed folkloric number. Participants must be at least 14 years old and have basic dance experience.

The master class will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 27 in Studio 4. Tickets cost $15 for Center Members and $20 for non-members.

The price of the master class includes admission to BFTC’s performance in the Center’s Concert Hall on Fri., Nov. 1.

That dance show will fittingly take place on the Day of the Dead—the annual Mexican holiday during which family and friends gather to honor and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Like the holiday itself, BFTC is preparing a vibrant, cheerful and celebratory show. The dance company will be performing an exciting repertoire incorporating music, costumes and choreographies in interpretation of Mexican regional dances.

Ballet Folklorico Tierra Caliente was founded in 2005 by Jose Jaimes, who serves as the company’s artistic director and dance instructor. BFTC’s mission is to represent the various visual and performing artistic branches that Mexican Folklore has to offer, serving as representatives of the moving art. Through Ballet Folklorico, members experience the richness of their heritage and grow in confidence and expertise, soon becoming performers in front of both small and large audiences. Along with dance education, the students learn to appreciate the Mexican arts, culture, tradition and history.

For more information about the BFTC master class and the troupe’s Nov. 1 performance, or to purchase tickets, visit www.artcenter.org/performances or call the Ticket Office at (800) 988-4253.