PREPARING FOR EL FESTIVAL DE LOS DANZANTES

Dance is a form of self-expression and connects us to our roots. But it also takes commitment, passion and discipline to do so.

Fresno State’s Mexican dance troupe, Los Danzantes de Aztlán, was working tirelessly to prepare for their upcoming event.

El Festival de Los Danzantes is a two-day celebration that gives local dance groups the opportunity to not only learn some new choreography, but also to showcase what they’ve learned from dance professionals from around the world.

According to one of the members, Emilio Torres, the festival brings people to the campus not only to learn about Mexican folkloric dancing and the culture, but also to give them a sense of what it’s like to be on a college campus.

“One reason we started the Festival de los Danzantes is to provide that resource,” said Dr. Victor Torres, the program director. “The idea is if you need material, if you need training and technique, and you come here and you take it back to your high school or to where ever your program is.”

Los Danzantes de Aztlán was founded nearly 50 years ago by professor Ernesto Martinez in the department of Chicano and Latin American Studies and is now under the supervision of Dr. Victor Torres.

It is the only folkloric dance program where students can earn college credit.

“We are the first ones to do that, many universities still don’t have that,” said Dr. Torres.

That is why students work so hard to not only balance their academics, but also make time for their late-night dance rehearsals.

“You know cause it’s hard, ’cause we only practice twice a week,” said Emilio Torres. “It’s crunch time, favorite word right now… crunch time.”

Their event was held on April 13th and 14th at the Fresno State Satellite Student Union.