Category Archives: Neguif Angeles / Laredo

Cri-Cri El Grillito Cantor

Posted on by
Reply

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Texas A&M International University  celebrated “Cri-Cri: El Grillito Cantor,” showcasing its dance concert for two consecutive days on April 20 and 21, 2012. All songs performed in their repertoire were original Cri-Cri tunes. Cri Cri is a magical singing cricket who was created by Francisco Gabilondo Soler.
Soler started with the tale of this magical singing cricket at Mexico City. Cri-Cri: El Grillito Cantor (the singing cricket), lives to sing and diffuse messages of unity and teach children manners and goodness among each other. Cri-Cri is also accompanied by other magical creatures that come to life and sing along with him, such as El Ratón Vaquero (The Cowboy Mouse), La Muñeca Fea (The Ugly Doll), Los Tres Cochinitos (The Sleepy Little Pigs), along with other characters.

Department Chair for the Fine and Performing Arts, Bede Leyendecker, started this magical tradition 20 years ago. Leyendecker started putting songs together from the Cri-Cri collection shaping them into what is now a full Cri-Cri dance concert. Leyendecker stated, “I’ve taken selections that represent and could be choreographed to every genre of dance, [such as] Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Flamenco [and] Folklorico.”

Cri-Cri featured dancers with distinctive costumes that vividly portrayed the character they were trying to personify. The audience could appreciate costumes such as piñata heads, sequence jumpsuits, traditional Spanish costumes, cowboy-like clothes, Mexican traditional sombreros (hats) and other bright garments that grasped the audience’s attention. Spectators could appreciate dancers chase and leap across the floor while other audience members witnessed the energy of powerful high kicks. The strong sound of the zapateado (footwork) echoed across  the stage and the theatre representing the Flamenco and Folklorico dance styles.

    According to Leyendecker, in this dance concert, performers are not only taught different choreographies and styles of dance, but they must also learn theatrical aspects. Performers use facial expressions and specific body movements to bring their characters to life. An example of this type of dancing was appreciated throughout many of the presentations, such as “La Muñeca Fea.” This character was personified by TAMIU graduate student Griselda Dozal. The story of “La  Muñeca Fea” is a tale of a lonely, ugly doll who was forgotten in a basement and who deteriorated with time.

This dance concert was performed by 120 TAMIU dance students with the special collaboration of dancers from the Young Dancers Program. The Bridge had the opportunity to converse with one of the child performers, Susana Samos, who was accompanied by her mother Cathy Cornelius. The young dancer expressed her excitement to be part of the dance concert. Samos had the role of one of the baby duck who was part of the choreography “La Patita.” She started dancing since she was two and has been part of the Young Dancers Program for four years. The young dancer shouted her excitement and told The Bridge why she thought she was chosen to dance in Cri-Cri. Samos stated, “I was called to dance Cri-Cri because I’m such a wonderful dancer… and I love to dance, and that’s why I [think] Ms. Bede said I could dance.”

The dance concert also took part in awarding the Blanche Flores Leyendecker scholarship, the recipient was TAMIU dance student Hector Manuel Perales. This scholarship offers the recipient a $1,000 award to recognize commitment to the dance program and advancement in the field of dance.

For more information on “Cri-Cri: El Grillito Cantor,” the audience can reach Bede Leyendecker at bleyendecker@tamiu.edu

(You may contact Neguif Angeles at neguifangeles.tamiu.edu)

Encanto Espanol

Posted on by
Reply

Encanto Español

Encanto Español was celebrated this past Saturday March 31, 2012 at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. This event is an all Spanish Dance concert that takes place annually in the spring. In addition to dance performances, this dance concert raises funds that precede a dance scholarship directed towards students in the TAMIU dance program.

Encanto Español is a scholarship fundraiser for dance students, which incorporates those who are studying Flamenco and Spanish dance. Department Chair of Fine and Performing Arts Bede Leyendecker, initiated this annual tradition. The event marked its 10th anniversary of celebrating Encanto Espanol.

Upon arrival, audience members had the opportunity to delight their taste buds on a dinner reception. There were tapas Españolas, a traditional Spanish dish, accompanied by Sangria a traditional  spanish wine punch, to share some of the provided menu. A Spanish theme was set with the appreciation of vivid types of décor, ranging from traditional Spanish fans, hats, and capes.

While conversing with the guest, The Bridge encountered with a historical person from the TAMIU family. Dr. Rafael Lecuona is a fellow TAMIU retired professor of Political Science and one of the early founders of TAMIU, he was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Diana Lecuona. They both willingly shared some words with The Bridge while they enjoyed a Spanish feast.. The food reception was hosted by the Woman’s City Club. They wrote a grant that provided about 2000 dollars that helps to pay for the events food expenses.

The event showcased people reciting poetry in Spanish and music by Dr. Gilberto D. Soto and the TAMIU guitar ensemble. In addition, TAMIU Silver Winds, under the direction of Dr. Susan Berdahl, performed Latin American music. Throughout the course of the program the audience could appreciate Spanish dances ranging from classical, traditional and the new. A variety of dance techniques could be valued from the dancers, ranging from different types of zapateado footwork, the utilization of castanets, large red fans used by female dancers which are called pericones, a variety of props, and colorful and sophisticated costumes that represented the Spanish culture.

The Bridge had the opportunity to speak to some of the performers that danced for Encanto Español, getting some of their inside thoughts, ideas and advice for future dancers who might be part of this show. Griselda Dozal is a graduate student at TAMIU who has had the opportunity to be part of Encanto Español for five consecutive years. Dozal participated in 20 dance pieces of the concert that ranged from, Abanicos, Alegrias, Cotenant, and Rumbas for which she prepared for long hours throughout the week and weekends. Although she had to spend a lot of time practicing in order to prepare for her dance pieces, she eagerly shared how delighted she was with the experience. Dozal stated, “I love it! It’s an all Flamenco show, so we get to share our Flamenco passion.” Dozal is a student who has previously been awarded a dance scholarship. She expressed her gratitude towards programs like Encanto Español that seek funds for scholarships that help students in the dance program.

The Bridge also had the opportunity to meet a first time performer of Encanto Español, Hector M. Perales. Perales a junior at TAMIU expressed his deep excitement when asked about his experience as a dancer for Encanto Español; he stated, “It’s been an honor dancing here and specially for this concert.”  Perales shared how extensive his practices were, and how much dedication a dancer must put into his or her technique in order to give a good performance. He thinks that new performers to this show should learn from dancers who have had previous experience to this dance concert in order to give the best out of them. Perales stated, “My favorite part of Encanto is actually the journey to the concert.” The young dancer performed a variety of Spanish dances such as, traditional Spanish dance, Flamenco, and classical.

Encanto Español will be celebrated next spring of the 2013 semester. For more information, you can contact Bede Leyendecker at bleyendecker@tamiu.edu or call
956 326-2649.
(You can contact Neguif Angeles at neguif.angeles@tamiu.edu)

“For Kristine: A Family Diary”

Posted on by
Reply

As mentioned before, the American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA) will be hosted at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), starting Tuesday February 28th through Saturday March 3, 2012. The College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Fine and Performing Arts celebrated its 14th Fall Dance Concert on Saturday November 19, 2011, which took place at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.  A variety of student dance pieces were showcased at this recital, but one of them made an impact. The Modern dance piece, “For Kristine: A Family Diary.”  The work of student Selma Gonzales portrayed the tragic story of a family member death due to domestic violence. Her work and dedication has been recognized by the University dance professors as one of the best student choreography of that semester, thus being chosen to represent the dance program at the American College Dance Festival Association.
Selma Gonzales is a TAMIU Senior student, an English Major with a minor in Dance.  Selma attended John B. Alexander High School, were she participated in the colorguard program for four years. In this program, she was taught fundamentals of Ballet and was introduced to Modern Dance. Selma’s love for modern dance did not begin until she had the opportunity to experience the technique at the TAMIU dance program, as she declared, “It wasn’t until I came to TAMIU were I learned a lot more about modern, and that’s where I started to grow, and my love for modern grew as well.” Selma’s family tragedy were the inspirations that led to a strong dance choreography, that selected by her professors got chosen to represent TAMIU at the American College Dance Festival Association.
A lot of organization and thought  Selma go into her dance choreography while she prepares until ACDFA. The modern dance piece was named, “For Kristine: A Family Diary” in memory of Kristine Meza; who was murdered outside of her home by her boyfriend the past February of 2011, in San Antonio Texas. This dance piece represents the pain of the murder of her cousin, domestic violence, and what the pain does to the family of the victim. Through this piece Selma is trying to portray how the family of a domestic violence victim copes with the pain of their loss one. Selma stated, “Many people just think about the victim and the person who committed the crime… it’s never thought about the family of the victim how much they have to go through.”
This dance choreography involves meanings, symbolism, and abstract ideas.  The young choreographer explains how there was a thought and meaning to every movement she created, as she would reminisce the moment in time when it happened. Selma’s piece holds a very innovative way to showcase her work to the audience, starting with her audio. The actual audio that will be heard by the adjudication board members will be recordings that the family made, talking about Kristine and sharing thoughts about how and who she was. Furthermore, she uses chairs to symbolize the process that it took her family to overcome their tragedy, there is a pile of broken chairs that grows into one complete chair. Selma stated, “I wanted to start with the chairs broken, because that’s how we started this journey of our healing… as you go along you see the chairs slowly building up, and that’s how we were.”
For Selma Gonzalez this choreography involved more than just a dance technique, she wanted to portray awareness of domestic violence, its consequences, and the scars it leaves on people. As a result of this tragedy Selma’s family created a foundation called “The Kristine E. Meza Memorial Foundation” to create awareness and to raise money for scholarships. Selma expressed her deepest gratitude towards the TAMIU dance program and her professors for being chosen to represent the university at this dance conference, she stated, “I am honored actually, I was not expecting it but I’m very honored to represent TAMIU at this conference ACDFA… I’m very blessed.”
If you would like to know more about  ACDFA and its history please visit their website at www.acdfa.org
(Neguif Angeles may be contacted at neguif.angeles@dusty.tamiu.edu)

American College Dance Festival Association

Posted on by
Reply

Courtesy of, ACDFA Website

Neguif Angeles, Bridge Reporter

The American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA) makes its way down to South Texas for the first time. Texas A&M International University will host this vast dance conference starting Tuesday February 28 through Saturday March 3, 2012. ACDFA will be closed to the public.

As stated in the official ACDFA web site, “The American College Dance Festival Association exists to support and affirm dance in higher education through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals.” ACDFA is an academic conference for dance, in which dance programs from different universities are brought together from states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Florida. Throughout the week of the event, students will learn dance techniques from professors of the visiting universities. Classes will begin at 8:15 A.M and continue until 6:00 P.M.

Students in the conference will have the opportunity to perform in adjudicated dance concerts. Every university will chose one or two group choreography’s that will represent their school. The first dance piece will be choreographed by a faculty guest artist, and the second one will be a student dance piece. They will then receive feedback from acclaimed national artists in dance.

An estimated 29 academic institutions will participate in ACDFA including, Miami Dade College, New Mexico State University, Rice University, Sam Houston State University, and University of Texas Pan American among many.

A total of 500 dancers will be at TAMIU participating in the conference. There will be a variety of classes offered ranging from Pilates, Yoga, African, Bollywood, Modern, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and various other courses.

Approximately 30 TAMIU students were selected to represent the university in ACDFA. One of the choreography’s selected by TAMIU includes Flamenco, a classical Spanish dance. This dance piece, choreographed by Rogelio Rodriguez, utilizes a “Pericon” which is a large fan that is displayed by the female dancers. TAMIU student Selma Gonzalez choreographed a modern dance piece, based on a tragedy that occurred with the murder of one of her cousins.
Bede Leyendecker, Department Chair of Fine and Performing Arts, started planning this dance conference five years ago in partnership with important people that are both active on campus and in the community. Leyendecker expressed, “We are really excited about having our colleagues from the region come to Laredo; this is the first time that this conference has ever been held in South Texas, so it’s a first and hopefully not a last.”

If you would like to know more about ACDFA and its history please visit their website at www.acdfa.org

The Bridge will have further coverage on ACDFA. Feel free to leave your comments
This Article has been published at www.thebridgenewspaper.com.