Melissa Padilla and Miguel Flores of Ballet Folklorico Ollín enter on both sides of The Ford stage. Flores has pointed fingers over his head like horns, swiping his foot against the ground, while Padilla twirls her traditional Folklorico dress like a matador’s cape. They rev up their energy before they rush to each other.
¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera brought together powerhouse mariachi talent to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Las Colibrí, an LA-based all-female string mariachi ensemble. While the musicians entranced the audience with music, the dance performance of Ballet Folklorico Ollín kept all eyes on stage. They mastered the power of a performance entrance, whether they transformed into a bull and matador, or swooped in with a stylized run.
Ballet Folklorico Ollín – Melissa Padilla and Miguel Flores in ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
The performance on September 14 replicated a quinceañera on stage, from the pre-party catholic mass to the father-daughter waltz — made possible with the fathers of Las Colibrí members. After the priest blessed the all-female mariachi group in their quince dresses, the party began. Mariachi Ángeles de Pepe Martínez Jr. got into place on stage as the dancers soared in with their chests puffed up and eyes aimed at the sky. Women heaved their dresses up in unison until the fabric suspended mid-air. The technique and synergy among the dancers were impeccable.
However, the moments that stood out went beyond the Folklorico technique and told a story that accompanied the music.
Ballet Folklorico Ollín – Las Colibrí in ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
Aveallana Garcia and Joel Gutiérrez entered the stage with flirtatious physical banter. Gutiérrez donned the stomps of the zapateado as he twirled around Garcia. As their paths intertwined next to the singer Julián Torres, the energy they conjured was contagious. He kept his eyes on her as she playfully teased him, diving in and out of his stance.
Ballet Folklorico Ollín – ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
The costume design by Virginia Deidiker, the director of Ballet Folklorico Ollín, added to the energy. After a costume change, the dancers entered kicking their feet in front of them as they skipped forward. Typically, women are the ones who get to toss their garments to create mesmerizing imagery, but this time, the men got to join in on the fun. Their pants flared out at the bottom with lace at the ends. As they kicked, the lace swung forward, cascading with their steps.
Ballet Folklorico Ollín – ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
Standout singers in the performance had their own artistic flare. Pepe Martínez Jr. knew how to get the crowd riled up with a sustained note or croon. Susie Garcia led Las Colibrí with a strong voice and passionate fiddle. Audry Orozco could command the stage even when standing still. She did not just perform the music but embodied it in her stature and attitude. Silvia Palomino took charge singing a Selena solo, perfectly matching the iconic singer’s tone and making the song her own.
The troupe of dancers offered a diverse variety of Ballet Folklorico with the help of the leading mariachis. In slower sections, the dancers relished in the lowered tempo, taking in a look or stretching their limbs a bit longer. In faster sections, their steps grew rapid, and their stomps resounded from the stage. In the second half of the show, wooden blocks were spread across the second level of the stage. The song started and the dancers dove in swinging their dresses with each stride, jumping off and on the dance blocks. Now wearing their Folklorico boots, the clack of their heels accented the strings playing in front of them. The concert reached its peak when the men got on the blocks, amping up the tempo and pulling a cheer out of the audience.
Ballet Folklorico Ollín – ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
Although Ballet Folklorico Ollín were the primary movement artists of the evening, some of the best dance moments arrived off-stage. The father-daughter waltz was heartfelt and got people out of their seats. You got to see the members of Las Colibrí through their loved ones’ gazes. It was filled with raw emotion. Then as the band Los Del Momento took the stage to play party hits, people took to the aisles to dance. Some swayed while others showed off their huapango skills.
Ballet Folklorico Ollín – ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
Whether dance appeared on stage or off, its presence was made known with a profound start. On stage, a man and woman on opposite ends lifted their leg in unison, pointing their feet for a moment of stillness before charging towards each other for a kiss. Off stage, two women rows apart leaped up to dance, commanding your attention. Initially dancing solo, they quickly kindled a friendship and danced in the aisle together.
Each moment, wherever or not they occurred on the Ford stage, kept the energy of the celebration alive.
For more information about Ballet Folklorico Ollín, please visit their website.
To find out what is playing at The Ford, please visit their website.
Written by Steven Vargas for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Ballet Folklorico Ollín – ¡Viva La Tradición! La Quinceañera – Photo by Lou Collazo.
