Mexican folk dance group performs Sept. 24

Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo from Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A group of local young dancers are finding themselves very busy this time of year.

Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo, a Mexican folk group based in Moses Lake, is performing during Hispanic Awareness Month and at the Mexican Independence Day Fiesta in Royal City, Sept 24.

Mexican Independence Day is tomorrow, Sept. 16.

Noemi Amezcua, the group's coordinator, said many of the children are from migrant families or are first-generation immigrants.

"They want to still have that connection to their heritage," Amezcua said.

Her daughter Idalis, 10, a third-generation U.S. immigrant who has danced since she was about three, performs in the group, while Amezcua's mother makes the costumes for all 36 dancers.

"I like that we get to do like lots of dances and learn more," Idalis said, adding she finds the group fun.

Luis Barriga, 15 and a sophomore at Moses Lake High School, said he enjoys the Mexican sound and dance movements of the group.

a"I guess I like to represent my country," said Barriga, an immigrant to the United States. Five years ago, Barriga began dancing with a church group, and then he learned about Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo. His biggest challenge is performing in front of an audience, but once the dance gets going, he forgets he's being watched.

"Getting to be in front of all those people when you're dancing, it's a great challenge," he said.

Jade Barron, 7, said she also gets nervous in front of others, but Barron handles her nerves differently than Barriga.

"I just smile," Barron said.

Asked how he feels about dancing with girls, Daniel Gazca, 11, said, "Dancing with girls is my worst nightmare."

Seattle resident Angelina Benson formed the group in 2001, and it started with about 10 dancers. She was raised in the town of Tecuala in Nayarit, Mexico. Before moving to Moses Lake, Benson attended Nayarit State, a dancing school in Mexico. After that, she danced with the Maculitxochilth dance company in Tetic. She has since opened her own dance company in Seattle.

Although Benson no longer teaches in Moses Lake, the Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo group is flourishing. Organizers are considering offering two different groups — one for beginners and one that competes.

"It's been better costumes and stuff, dresses and stuff, and more people," Juan Oronia, 10, said of Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo's growth during his three years of involvement.

Amezcua said the group is hoping to raise enough money to compete in California in two years.

Crystal Balderas, 13, said she hopes to become involved with the competition side of dancing, which she has never done before.

Currently, the group performs at festivals, churches, schools, parties and other events. For more information, please call Noemi Amezcua at (509) 765-5402 or visit www.mexicolindo.homestead. com/home.html