MECA presents the New York City based Ballet Nepantla in “Valentina” June 14 & 15 at MECA at TBH. If you’ve never seen this show, it’s definitely one you’ll want to catch.
“Valentina” tells stories of women and their roles during Revolutionary Mexico through extraordinary dance and choreography. By fusing classical and contemporary ballet with traditional Mexican folklórico, Ballet Nepantla tells stories of struggles, the rich and the poor, hope and despair, and peace and war.
Ballet Nepantla takes its identity from the artistic inspiration to explore the spaces in-between classical/contemporary ballet and traditional Mexican folklórico. The company delves into cultural, historical, and artistic spaces of tension, conflict, and ambiguity by bringing together contrasting artistic traditions.
Ballet Nepantla made its first appearance in Houston last year at the University of Houston with Mariachi Pumas. The dance company returns to Houston for the second year in a row by popular demand and with support from MECA, the Consul General in Houston, Telemundo Houston, Que Onda Magazine and the Mariachi Festival.
Ballet Nepantla is a search for identity, as it examines the cultural, historical, and political identities of being Mexican, being American, and artistic production while living in both worlds. In the spirit of Gloria Anzaldúa, Ballet Nepantla pushes creative boundaries as a “forerunner of a new form” (1987) of dance. Anzaldúa, and Ballet Nepantla’s founder Andrea Guajardo, grew up in South Texas, and both were inspired by the verve and vigor of growing up in the borderlands. Anzaldúa popularized the idea of Nepantla, a Nahuatl term that means to be in a state of in-between-ness in the world of art, literature, cultural criticism and everywhere.
Ballet Nepantla is based in New York City and was founded by Texas native Andrea Guajardo and Mexican born Martin Rodriguez. Andrea was born and raised in Edinburg, 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.
MECA at TBH is located at 333 S. Jensen, Houston, Texas 77003. Tickets are available at MECA-Houston.org. For more information call 713-802-9370.
VIP tables can be purchased for $200 (seats 4 and comes with a bottle of wine). General admission tickets are available for $35.
Ballet Nepantla has been touring throughout the country with Los Tigers del Norte. Click here for an updated tour schedule.
More amazing shows coming up include:
The Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Recital at the Tobin Center’s Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater on Friday, June 28. Tickets will go on sale June 1 at Tobincenter.org.
Ballet Nepantla “Mistica” at the Carver on October 3.
The 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza at the Lila Cockrell Theater December 5-7, 2024. Registration opens September 1. Tickets will be announced soon.
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