The University of Houston’s Mariachi Pumas will join the New York City-based dance company Ballet Nepantla on stage Friday, March 10, 2023 in the Moores Opera House as part of Ballet Nepantla’s 9-city Texas tour titled “Valentina”.
Presented by the Moores School of Music in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, this collaborative performance will tell stories that speak to the strength and resilience of women during Revolutionary Mexico. “Valentina” is a fusion of contemporary ballet and traditional folklórico that tells stories of wealth and power, hope and despair, struggle and loss, and triumph. With world-class dancers, innovative choreography, and exquisite costume design, this performance embraces experiences on both sides of the borderland and celebrates the culture and history of immigrants and Latinx people. “Nepantla and Pumas will enchant the audience with a story ballet that honors women, history, and culture,” says Francisco Guajardo, manager for Ballet Nepantla.
Mariachi Pumas performing at the 27th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
This will be the first time that The University of Houston has seen a professional concert dance company that fuses classical and contemporary ballet with folklórico. “The Mariachi Pumas have collaborated with other great musicians from different genres, but not with versatile dancers like Ballet Nepantla. They’re very energetic and present various styles of dance from different regions of Mexico. People will experience the vibrant traditions and history of Mexico throughout the show,” says Mariachi Pumas Director Jose Longoria.
While Ballet Nepantla has performed with live music in the past, this is the first time Ballet Nepantla will perform with a full mariachi group with “Valentina”. The Mariachi Pumas will “help bring the show to a whole new level,” says Cynthia Munoz, Producer of the 29th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza and representative for Ballet Nepantla. “Valentina” is mostly performed with revolutionary songs like Valentina, Adelitas and Coronelas which makes it a perfect show to incorporate live mariachi music,” she added. When this collaboration takes the stage in March, Co-founder of Ballet Nepantla, Andrea Guajardo, says “the beautiful sound of live mariachi music that will be directed by the talented Jose Longoria only enhances the dance performance to a new level of authenticity.”
DATE
March 10 at 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
TICKETS
VIP – $75; General Public – $35; Staff/Faculty/Alumni – $15; Seniors and Students – $15; Livestream $10
Contact the KGMCA Box Office at (713) 743-3388 or purchase tickets online at:
ABOUT BALLET NEPANTLA
Ballet Nepantla was founded by Texas native Andrea Guajardo and Mexican born Martin Rodriguez. Andrea was born and raised in South Texas where she began her training in ballet and folkloric dance at the Dancentre of Edinburg. At 17, she moved to New York City to study at the Ailey School and Fordham University where she earned a BFA in dance. Upon graduating in 2013, she joined Momix and toured across the world until 2017, when she founded Ballet Nepantla. Martin is originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. As co-founder, choreographer, and dancer, Martin brings in-depth knowledge and vast experiences of the traditional dances of Mexico.
Ballet Nepantla featuring dancers and costume designs from Valentina.
ABOUT THE MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Moores School of Music at the University of Houston’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts provides an outstanding comprehensive music education on the undergraduate and graduate levels, overseen by a faculty and staff second-to-none; to continue to develop recognition of the school at the local, national, and international levels in order to attract students of the highest caliber; and to provide the university community and the city with the highest quality performances that will both educate and entertain.
BALLET NEPANTLA SPRING 2023 TEXAS TOUR DATES (18 shows in 9 Cities in TX March 2 – May 26)
March 2 – Public Show @ 6
March 3 – Private Shows
March 4 – Public Show @ 7:30
March 5– Public Show @ 2:00
March 6 – Public Show
March 7 – Public Show
March 10– Public Show @ 7:30
May 22-26 – Private Shows
San Marcos, TX
Lockhart, TX
Floresville, TX
Seguin, TX
Roma, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Houston, TX
San Antonio, TX
Plum Elementary
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
ABOUT KATHRINE G. MCGOVERN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
The University of Houston’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts is a premier institution for education, scholarship, and innovation in the arts, where every day we are cultivating the next generation of creative professionals and unlocking the potential of the arts to impact society and change the world. Our students are forging new frontiers and advancing the arts through academic excellence, innovative programming, and—together with our world renown faculty—ascending to the highest level of contemporary professional practice. Houston is a first choice for the arts. Houston is a city of culture and diversity, a quintessential arts destination, and a gateway to the international arts community. Steeped in the richness of diverse cultures, Houston and its engaging community network provide a citywide laboratory for research, education, and practice in the performing and visual arts.
Ballet Nepantla’s Spring 2023 Texas Tour is organized by Francisco Guajardo in association with Muñoz Public Relations whose mission is to present quality Latino cultural arts programming in communities and schools.
Pls confirm public dates in San Antonio — hard to tell from above information. Thank You.
There are no public dates in San Antonio just yet, however, this could possibly change. Updates will be announced on the mariachimusic.com email blast. Thanks!
Are there going to be any extra dates through the year we’re they going to perform ? Any different city’s and states ! We would appreciate it your input ! Thanks
Houston is the only city where Mariachi Pumas and Ballet Nepantla will perform together. Ballet Nepantla will return to Texas in May for a full week of performances May 22-26.