Vida Newspaper, Volume 2, Issue 7 - April 1975

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY APRIL, 1975 DEPARTMENT OF CHIC A N О S T UDIES VOL П— NO. 7 LMU GRUPO FOLKLORICO IN THE BEST FIESTA STYLE Joyous ‘gritos’ pierce the air, colorM costumes flourish and •wonderful movements mesh into exuberant cadences and musical rhythms that delight. Instanta¬ neously the exhilaration of the dancers passes onto the specta¬ tors. The skill and talent are there. Even more importantly, there is that unmistakably uni¬ que and genuine exultation and camaraderie found in few groups. The execution of Loyola Mary- mount University’s Grupo Fol¬ klorico Mexican Folk Dance Troupe is sparkling, alive and in the best ‘fiesta’ style. Since their inception in 1970, the Grupo has experienced tre¬ mendous development and tech¬ nical maturation. They now have a dance repertoire that includes representative d a n c e s from seven regions of Mexico. The cohesion and dynamism which has come to he recogniz¬ ed by every person coming in contact with these joyful per¬ formers have become their hall¬ marks. This year, the University increased the Grupo’is budget significantly. As a further indi- has performed include Olvera Street and the Los Angeles County Art Museum. They have also appeared before college, high school, church and com¬ munity group audienceis. Where did it all begin? El Grupo was founded ini the after- math of a highly satisfying and successful “Cinco de Mayo” performance held at Loyola Marymount in 1970. To the ap¬ proximately 16 persons who par¬ ticipated on that occasion, the exciting realization came this cultural part of themselves had to foe fully actualized Within the framewok of a permanent Mexican folktale dance group. It was under the guidance Of the first Director-Choreographer, Emilio Pulido, that the dream р’^'г^ттт’л/грлт'т* лат ad « , _ _ . j ’ a j 0 , LX LITEM ENT, COLOR, and pure entertainment will be key was nurtured. And come Satur- . . . . * „ , . y day, April 12, 1975, at 8:00 p.m. elements the enchanting Grupo, Folklorico" Mexican folk in Alumni Memorial Gym, the dcmce performance taking place Saturday, April 12, at 8:00 extent of that dream wil be p.m. ,at Loyola Marymount University. Mariachi music tend manifested in the best way El precision choreography make for a culturally enriching ex- Grupo knows, through the ex- perience in family entertainment. General admissin is $2 50 pressave excitement Of their , , 1(0 , _ , „ „ ^апсе and children under 12 are free. Loyola Marymount Un«ver- In 1972 the dance group de- sity is located at 7101 West Street, Westchester. The veloped a formally academic tie performance will be held in the University's Alumni Memorial cation of the respectability and with the University. Listed for Gymnasium. For more information call 642-3063 or 642-2975 . — - excellence attained by the group, tihe first time in the University the University selected them to bulletin were courses in foegin- appear%yan upcoming segment ing, intermediate, and advanced “Dance of Mexico.” That year of the KNBC Channel 4 television program, “Brainworks.” This coming May 5th, the LMU Grupo Folklorico wil be performing at the Los Angeles Music Center as part of the een/ter’fs “Cinco de Mayo” Mexican holiday fes¬ tivities. This last honor was ac¬ corded them when they received an invitation from the Music Center late last year. Other places where the group also marked the first time that the group received funding from Loyola Marymount. The first annual lecture demonstration was held that year as well as the first annual benefit scholarship performance in Alumni Memorial Gym. Pressing comittments else¬ where required Emilio Pulido to leave the LMU Grupo after the first semester of the 1978-74 academic year. A new Director- Choreogranher was named, Ms. Pat Harding. Also that, year, a young student. Arthur Almacuer, added (his own choreographic creation. “Cuadro de Revolucion” to the dance troupe’s renertoire. The dance group numbered 22 persons that year. As the 1974-1975 academic year came around, Ms. Harding assumed duties as group cho¬ reographer during the first semester. When she resigned from her position effective the second semester, Arthur Alma- guer, who had been playing an active role in the Grupo’s deve¬ lopment, took on the responsi¬ bilities not only of the director but of the choreographer as well. And so, yet another element of uniqueness was added to the L. M.U. Grupo Folklorico. The Grupo, which had been initially student-inspired a scant five (Coninued on Page 2)