MEZCLA mixes it up with 'dirty dancing'-11.19.07

NOT BY ME- marisa calleja


Providence, Rhode Island—MEZCLA, the Latino performing arts troupe, held their fall show Thursday and Saturday in a nearly sold out Salomon 101. The "Dirty Dancing"-themed show featured dancers, singers, musicians and poets in 18 different acts representing diverse performance styles and traditions from Latino culture.

This year's performance showcased samba, mambo, salsa and other dance styles from Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Spain and Mexico. The pieces, all choreographed by students in MEZCLA, came from the spirited, eclectic repertoire of the large group.

Some pieces, such as "Bam Bam-Salsa Duet," a Cuban salsa choreographed and performed by Alyssa Iglesias '08 and Daniel Oviedo '10, reflected traditional dance styles. Others, especially the large group pieces, showcased fusion styles created in the United States from Latin American influences. Pieces such as "Reggaeton Salsa Medley," choreographed by Bianca Figueroa-Santana '10, served as dynamic testaments to the continuing evolution of Latino dance styles in the United States.

"Samba Urbano," the first piece in the performance, was a fusion of traditional samba and urban styles. "With this piece, we take that dance out of the land of the Carnaval Brasileiro and onto the streets," read the abstract from the piece's five choreographers - Megan Brattain '10, Rocio Bravo '10, Vivian Garcia '10, Sarah Magaziner '10 and Herald Staff Writer Christian Martell '10. The nine dancers stomped and shook fiercely to traditional samba drums and Fulanito's "Chillando Goma" in this elaborately choreographed piece, dedicated to their mothers "who taught us how to dance."

"Ballroom-Mambo y Salsa," a skillful and sensual three person dance - choreographed and performed by Savonya McAllister '08, Dina Tsukrov '08 and Wilfredo Perez '08 - was one of two ballroom pieces in the show. In combining Cuban mambo, Brazilian samba and American ballroom dance, the choreographers merged these disparate cultures. This indicates the continuing fusions of different Latino and American styles, both in MEZCLA pieces and throughout the dance world.

In addition to dance, MEZCLA's fall show included two spoken word performances - "Socorro" by Irene Castillon '09 and an untitled piece by Alyse Ruiz '09 - which passionately discussed family, tradition and culture. "Socorro" was an ode to Castillon's abuelita or grandmother, who continually sacrificed for her family.

The show also featured two vocal performances and a song by Mariachi de Brown, "La Ley del Monte."

MEZCLA, according to their mission statement, strives "to convey and at the same time teach the beauty, diversity and richness of the Latino culture to the Brown community at large." The group, which is led by an executive board, holds fall and spring shows, as well as open dance workshops throughout the year.

"Just because it's a Latino performing arts troupe, doesn't mean it's specifically for Latinos," said MEZCLA President Marco Martinez '08.

© Copyright 2007 Brown Daily Herald

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's really very complex in this active life to listen news on TV, therefore I just use web for
that purpose, and obtain the hottest news.

My page - beauty equipment

Anonymous said...

Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your
website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I
achievement you access consistently quickly.

Feel free to surf to my site: diy home improvements ()

Anonymous said...

Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site,
how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I had been a little bit acquainted of this your
broadcast provided bright clear concept

Check out my web site :: voice transcription services - ,

Anonymous said...

I have rdad so many articles regarding the blogger lovers except this
paragraph is truly a fastidious article,keep it
up.

Anonymous said...

Hey I knpw this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of aany widgets I could
add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.

I've bbeen looking for a plug-in ike this for quite
some time and was hoping maybe you would have some eexperience with something ljke
this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy readjng youur blolg and I look forward
to your new updates.

Anonymous said...

As the admin of this website is working, no hesitation veryy soon it will be renowned, due to its
quality contents.

Anonymous said...

Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post!
It's the little changes that make the biggest changes.

Thanks a lot for sharing!