This Women’s History Month, San Antonio audiences will experience a powerful tribute to the strength, courage and complexity of women during Revolutionary Mexico as Ballet Nepantla presents “Valentina” on Friday, March 20 at 7:30 PM at the Jo Long Theatre at The Carver Community Cultural Center.

Blending breathtaking choreography, rich storytelling, evocative music and stunning costuming, “Valentina” explores the lives and roles of women during one of the most transformative periods in Mexican history. Through dance, Ballet Nepantla brings to life the soldaderas, intellectuals, mothers, daughters and revolutionaries whose courage shaped a nation. There is perhaps no more meaningful way to celebrate Women’s History Month than by honoring these women through an art form that is as dynamic and expressive as their stories.

Before the public performance at The Carver, Ballet Nepantla will present special student matinees, ensuring that young audiences across the region have the opportunity to witness this inspiring work. The company will perform on Wednesday, March 18 at 10 AM at the Somerset ISD Performing Arts Center and on Thursday, March 19 at 12:30 PM at Harlandale High School. These private performances underscore the company’s commitment to arts education and cultural preservation, introducing students to history through movement and artistry.

San Antonio has embraced Ballet Nepantla for its ability to elevate traditional forms while making them accessible to contemporary audiences. The company’s signature style fuses classical ballet folklórico with contemporary dance, creating a vocabulary that is both rooted in tradition and boldly innovative. The result is work that generates cultural pride, crosses borders and resonates with diverse communities.

Adding to the evening’s excitement, audiences can expect a vibrant pre-show atmosphere. Kathy Sosa, Dr. Ellen Clark and Jennifer Speed will be signing copies of their book Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico, offering historical context to the themes explored on stage. VIP ticket holders, and members of the Harvard Hispanic Alumni Alliance, will also gather for a special meet-and-greet with Hennessey Cognac prior to the performance, adding to an evening of cultural celebration and fun!

The evening will open with performances by Las Abuelitas de Oro and Los Rayitos de Sol, setting the tone with multigenerational artistry that beautifully complements Ballet Nepantla’s mission of honoring heritage while inspiring future generations.

One particularly special highlight for San Antonio audiences is dancer Belleza Mitchell, a hometown talent who exemplifies the excellence and dedication embodied by the company. Born and raised in San Antonio, Mitchell is a graduate of the North East School of the Arts. She continued her studies at Southern Methodist University, where she earned a BFA in Dance Performance and a BS in Applied Physiology. Her journey from local student to professional dancer performing on major stages is a testament to the transformative power of arts education and community support.

Ballet Nepantla itself is a reflection of cross-cultural collaboration and artistic excellence. The company was founded in 2017 by Andrea Guajardo of Edinburg, Texas and Martín Rodríguez Vigil of Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.

Andrea Guajardo, a proud Mexican American and South Texas native, began her training in ballet and folklórico at Dancentre of Edinburg. At age 17, she moved to New York City after receiving a scholarship to study at The Ailey School. In 2013, she graduated from The Ailey School and Fordham University with a BFA in dance. Upon graduation, she joined the internationally acclaimed company MOMIX under the direction of Moses Pendleton, touring extensively until 2017. Guajardo has also performed with Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater and worked as a teaching artist with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ballet Hispánico. In March 2020, she was awarded a Lotos Foundation Prize in the Arts and Sciences for her choreography and has completed prestigious residencies at East Carolina University and Princeton University. Today, she serves as Ballet Nepantla’s dancer, choreographer and artistic director.

Co-founder and Associate Director Martín Rodríguez Vigil brings a deep folklórico foundation to the company. He began dancing at age nine at Academia de Danza Imagen in Guadalajara and traveled throughout rural and Indigenous communities in Mexico to study traditional dances, culture and history firsthand. In 2006, he moved to Los Angeles and joined Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company under the direction of José Vences, eventually becoming a principal dancer, instructor and choreographer. Now based in New York City, Rodríguez Vigil also performs with the Afro-Amerindian band Jarana Beat while continuing to shape Ballet Nepantla’s powerful repertoire.

The March 20 performance of “Valentina” promises to be a moving and visually stunning evening that honors women’s resilience, artistry and enduring legacy. The Jo Long Theatre at The Carver Community Cultural Center is located at 226 N. Hackberry in San Antonio. Purchase tickets HERE or through The Carver Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 210-207-7211.

Thanks to the support of the Hennessey, the University of Texas at San Antonio, CULTIVAR, KEDA Radio, Westside Sol Newspaper and the Mexican Consulate, this unforgettable celebration of history, culture and dance will take center stage in the heart of San Antonio.

Join us and discover why San Antonio continues to fall in love with Ballet Nepantla — a company that honors the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future through the power of dance.

For a complete tour schedule, click HERE.