On October 17th, Sr. Jones, Sra. West and thirty students from Westfield Area HS/MS traveled to the Barrymore Theater in Madison to see Ballet Folklorico, a collection of traditional folk dances from around the Spanish speaking world. The first half of the program was the Latin Iberian Show. It began with the rich melodies of Mexico including “Son de la Negra” and the haunting beauty of “La Llorona.“ Then the spirit of Spain came alive with the traditional grace of “Escuela Bolera” and the passionate expressiveness of “Clásico Español,” showcasing the timeless artistry that defines Spanish dance. The dancers transported us to Brazil, where the electrifying rhythms of “Batukada” and the lively “Samba” celebrated the diversity of Latin rhythms. From the lands of Puerto Rico, they shared the “Plena” and the happiness of Salsa. The performance culminated in an interactive finale where our very own Melina Escoto joined the dancers on stage. After an intermission, the Fusion Latino Flamenco show kicked off with a mix of Latino-Flamenco beats. Students enjoyed the speed and partner stunts in the lively Colombian salsa. This was followed by the “Cumbia,” another beloved Colombian dance style, known for its sticky rhythms and dynamic movements. Twice in this show students were allowed to join the dancers on stage. Chloe Miller and Journey Sprader were our lucky two students that joined in the experience first hand.
After the show, the students stopped at La Tolteca in Portage to experience Mexican cuisine. Students ordered everything from tamales to enchiladas, quesadillas to tacos al pastor, burritos to chiles rellenos, chimichangas and Mexican sodas. For dessert, students had the opportunity to try churros, flan, sopapillas, fried ice cream and chimicheesecake. Everything was delicious! It was a day of learning by experiencing culture first hand.
