How to Learn Traditional Mexican Folk Dances for Cinco De Mayo

Recent decades have seen a turn back to traditional Mexican folk dances not only in Mexico, but also in the United States. The trend began with the emergence in the 1950s of the Ballet Folklorico Mexico in Mexico City. The troupe highlighted the myriad colorful dances of Mexico, stirring an interest in both Mexicans and non-Mexicans alike. Today, many U.S. cities have local baile (or dance/ballet) folklorico troupes, and some offer opportunities to learn these dances.

Instructions

1. Visit your local dance studio and get a schedule of their classes. Many studios and dance academies change courses throughout the year and may offer local traditional Mexican folk dance lessons only around Cinco de Mayo.

2. Catch a show. Watching a live folk dance show is the best way to learn the differences between the variety of folk dances. The "Jarabe Tapatio," or Mexican Hat Dance, is the national dance of Mexico and is a very standardized dance. Cumbia is a Colombian folk dance with African roots which has spread to many countries and has many more variants.

3. Ask any of the dancers after their performances about where you may learn. Some troupes offer lessons as well as performances, while others focus solely on performance. If their own troupes don't offer lessons, always ask if they know of others where you might be able to learn. In same cases, individuals teach classes that are otherwise unlisted.

4. Purchase a book on traditional Mexican folk dances like "Mexican Folk Dances," by Debbie Cavalier, E. B. Jurey and Maria Arias Cruz, at Amazon (see Resources below) to learn at home. You and a partner can practice the dances in anticipation of Cinco de Mayo.

5. Learn the "Flor de Canela" with the traditional folk music when you choose "Mexican Folk Dance" by Vicki Corona at Amazon (see Resources below). This booklet includes a CD that features both the mariachi and traditional versions of this classic Cinco de Mayo song.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're interested in a particular type of dance or costume, be aware that different regions of Mexico and even different regions of the southwestern U.S. have different traditional Mexican folk dances for Cinco de Mayo. Though many dance schools will teach a wide range of traditional dances, others may focus on those known best by the school's teachers.

• Join a forum at the Alegria Folklorico forums to delve more into the folklorico culture and appreciate the difference in dance styles (see Resources below). The northern Mexican style is often the style seen at restaurant dance performances and many community celebrations. Some performing folklorico troupes, however, will explore a wider range of regional dances.

• Not every troupe you find will participate in Cinco de Mayo festivities. If dancing at a Cinco de Mayo fiesta is your goal, be sure you ask the dance school or troupe if they participate in Cinco de Mayo performances.

Resources

• Mexican Folk Dances at Amazon
• Mexican Folk Dance booklet and CD at Amazon
• Alegria Folklorico forums