MOUNT VERNON – The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County will wrap up its NEA Big Read program on Saturday, April 23, at 2 p.m. with a free performance from Toledo’s award-winning ballet folklorico group, “El Corazon de Mexico,” at the historic Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon.
The event features the installation of Dr. Clara Roman-Odio’s "Latinos in Rural America" exhibit in the second floor lobby. The performance and dance demonstration will be followed by a brief reception with light refreshments from Fiesta Mexicana and local baker Josie Becerril.
"Ballet Folklorico" is a term that broadly captures regional and ethnic dances from Mexico, featuring choreography and costumes that represent specific regions and cultures. Elaina Hernandez, the troupe’s founder and artistic director, describes its work as “a way to experience the beauty and charm of Mexico through folk dancing” She says, “Mexico is just like the United States: It is a large, diverse country with 31 states and a federal district. Each state has its own style of music, costume and dance. At the performance, you’re going to see six states' traditions represented in movement and costume onstage. Folkloric dancing is a way for our dancers to share their culture, with themselves and their families and the Ohio community at large.”
The Ballet Folklorico group El Corazon de Mexico's dancers all live in the Toledo area, but they have achieved national acclaim. The dancers have performed twice at Disney World in Florida and at DisneyLand in California and have toured extensively throughout the greater Midwest. Hernandez has been recognized as a Master Artist by the Ohio Arts Council and is the recipient of a Merit Award from the Toledo Arts Commission and a Diamante Award for Arts Leadership.
This all-ages event is free and open to the public, but advance tickets are required, and all attendees age 2 and up must wear a well-fitting mask that fully covers the nose and mouth while inside the theater auditorium and during the performance. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/jzrk2xwa. For more information or inquiries about this event, visit www.knox.net, email knoxwrites1@gmail.com or call 740-392-2665, Ext. 259.
El Corazon de Mexico’s visit is part of the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County’s NEA Big Read celebration of Sandra Cisneros’ novel "The House on Mango Street." A full listing of NEA Big Read program events is available at https://www.knox.net/nea-big-read.html. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For more information about the NEA Big Read, including book and author information, podcasts, and videos, visit arts.gov/neabigread.
