April 30, 2010

News Release

TISD and Young Audiences Present Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico

Tyler ISD and Young Audiences of Northeast Texas are pleased to present Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico to the entire community with a public performance on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Caldwell Auditorium. The Monday night performance at Caldwell will feature the full dance troupe performing their “Fiestas de Mexico” program. Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door and can be purchased at Caldwell auditorium from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, April 26-30, or by calling Young Audiences at 903-561-2787. 

The group will also perform at five Tyler ISD schools on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The school performances which feature a smaller ensemble of the group will begin on Monday, may 3, at Boulter Middle School at 2:45 p.m. and continue on Tuesday, May 4, at Austin Elementary School at 9 a.m. and Bonner Elementary School at 1:30 p.m. On Wednesday, May 5, Cinco De Mayo, the group will perform at Dogan Middle School at 10 a.m. and Orr Elementary School at 1:30 p.m.

For over half a decade Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico, a Texas Commission on the Arts’ touring group, has served schools and communities by preserving and promoting the

 magical richness of Mexican traditions. “Fiestas de Mexico” highlights some of the holidays of Mexico, featuring cultural dances from different regions with their European, Afro-Caribbean and South American influences, as well as Pre-Columbian dances.

The school performances will consist of several couples from the group presenting a fast-paced program highlighting dances from different regions of Mexico. The program demonstrates influences from Czechoslovak, Polish, and French cultures along with Pre-Columbian dances still preserved today.  This delightful program, rich in the heritage of music, dance and colorful costumes which comprises modern and historic Mexican culture, is the perfect program to bring to northeast Texas the week of Cinco de Mayo, according to Executive Director, Amy Baskin.

Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico is one of 28 teaching artists available to local schools through Young Audiences of Northeast Texas, a not-for-profit organization providing learning through the arts to area schools.  Funds for these performances were provided by the schools, a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. Sponsors for the public performance are Southside Bank, The Rogers Foundation, Hibbs Family Foundation, the C. Louis and Mary C. Cabe Foundation, Kay Arms and Tyler ISD.

For more information about Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico or other Young Audiences programs, contact Young Audiences Executive Director, Amy Baskin, or Education Director, Pam Lisner, 903-561-2787.

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