Care to Dance?

I’ve always been fascinated with dance. The movements and contortions of the human body all choreographed to keep time with the music. For most dancers, it seems as if the art of dance is a physical manifestation of their soul’s desire. My favorite dances are those that not only speak from the soul but reach out and touch another’s.

Many of the popular dance styles are reflections of different cultures throughout the world. One of those styles hails from Mexico and is called, “Baile Folklorico.” Literally translated to “folk dance,” this style emphasizes local folk style while incorporating colorful costumes that depict the different regions of Mexican folklore and art forms.



Amalia Hernandez pioneered baile folklorico in the 1950s because of her development of her dance school, Ballet Folklorico Mexico in Mexico City. Her dedication to providing the best representation of cultural and folk dances in Mexico and around the world became the driving force behind the success of baile folklorico.



The most common and recognizable form of this dance comes from the Mexican state of Jalisco. Although the Jalisco style is most memorable, the basic steps and style of dance are similar for all the regions. Traditional bailes employ a basic set of steps called zapateados which involve percussive heel-stomping. Most of the time when dancers are dancing the baile folklorico, they are accompanied by a mariachi band.

There are plenty of baile folklorico dance companies across the U.S. – like the Mexican American Association of Baile Folklorico in Seattle – and there are two in Tucson too. The Ballet Folklorico Tapatio provides an educational environment for children to learn about Mexican culture and its history through traditional, regional dances; while Grupo Folklórico Miztontli is the first Mexican Ballet Folklorico dance group at the University of Arizona.

No matter what regional version you see of this dance, you definitely need to check it out. Baile Folklorico is a style that will impress you and inspire you to get up and dance.