56 °f
Detroit
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News
  • Home
  • About
    • Introducing the partnership with the Race and Justice reporting Initiative
    • Resources
  • Español
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Why Trump will fail

    Why Trump will fail

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

  • Community
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

  • Featured
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    Gutierrez and cousin Jacob Lozano

    Donut Villa Expands to Second Location Near Ford Rouge Plant

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Fr. David Buersmeyer y Mrs. Judith Brooks de Strangers No Longer / hablan a los participantes de la procesión frente a la oficina de campo de ICE en Detroit / address procession participants in front of the field office of ICE in Detroit. Foto de/Photo by Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic

    Detroit Catholics Walk in Solidarity with Immigrants, Demand Humane Treatment

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

  • Opinion
  • Culture & Arts
    • All
    • World Cultures
    Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

    SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Huastecos Téenek

    Huastecos Téenek

    2025 Kresge Fellows from left-right: Elise Marie Martin, Taurus Burns, Louis Aguilar, Maya Davis, Kimberly LaVonne, Slumdog Visionaire, Marwa Helal, Donald Calloway, Brittany Rogers, Beenish Ahmed, Ivan Montoya, April Anue Shipp, Allana Clarke, Malak Cherri, Anetria Cole. Photo credit: JennyRisher

    Latino Creatives Shine as 2025 Kresge Fellows, Honoring Heritage and Artistic Power

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    • World Cultures
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
    • Throwbacks
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • en English
    • en English
    • es Spanish
No Result
View All Result
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News
  • Home
  • About
    • Introducing the partnership with the Race and Justice reporting Initiative
    • Resources
  • Español
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Why Trump will fail

    Why Trump will fail

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

  • Community
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

  • Featured
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    Gutierrez and cousin Jacob Lozano

    Donut Villa Expands to Second Location Near Ford Rouge Plant

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Fr. David Buersmeyer y Mrs. Judith Brooks de Strangers No Longer / hablan a los participantes de la procesión frente a la oficina de campo de ICE en Detroit / address procession participants in front of the field office of ICE in Detroit. Foto de/Photo by Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic

    Detroit Catholics Walk in Solidarity with Immigrants, Demand Humane Treatment

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

  • Opinion
  • Culture & Arts
    • All
    • World Cultures
    Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

    SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Huastecos Téenek

    Huastecos Téenek

    2025 Kresge Fellows from left-right: Elise Marie Martin, Taurus Burns, Louis Aguilar, Maya Davis, Kimberly LaVonne, Slumdog Visionaire, Marwa Helal, Donald Calloway, Brittany Rogers, Beenish Ahmed, Ivan Montoya, April Anue Shipp, Allana Clarke, Malak Cherri, Anetria Cole. Photo credit: JennyRisher

    Latino Creatives Shine as 2025 Kresge Fellows, Honoring Heritage and Artistic Power

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    • World Cultures
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
    • Throwbacks
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • en English
    • en English
    • es Spanish
No Result
View All Result
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News
No Result
View All Result

Viva El Norte! WSU Ballet Folklorico Celebrates Northern Mexico

EL CENTRAL by EL CENTRAL
April 24, 2025
in Community, Culture & Arts
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Home Community
ShareShareTweetEmail to a friend
  • Andrea Meza
  • Alejandro Ugalde Sandoval
  • April 24, 2025

Students and alumni of Wayne State University preserve tradition and embrace regional diversity through ballet folklorico.

Wayne State University’s Ballet Folklórico hosts their 2nd annual end-of-year showcase titled ‘Viva El Norte!’ with special guests Ballet Folclorico Xochihua from Columbus, Ohio. It will be held in the Community Arts Auditorium at WSU on Sunday, April 27 starting at 2 p.m.

Verónica Beltrán, founder and maestra of Ballet Folklórico of Wayne State University, leads a rehearsal at the Student Center in Detroit, Michigan, on April 16, 2025. The group is preparing for their “¡Viva el Norte!” presentation, which will showcase regional dances from northern Mexico
Verónica Beltrán, founder and maestra of Ballet Folklórico of Wayne State University, leads a rehearsal at the Student Center in Detroit, Michigan, on April 16, 2025. The group is preparing for their “¡Viva el Norte!” presentation, which will showcase regional dances from northern Mexico

The theme highlights Northern Mexican culture and dance from Baja California, Durango, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. It will also highlight how the Mexican Revolution influenced the northern region.

Veronica Beltran, director of WSU Ballet Folklorico and assistant director of Student Engagement and Culture for LatinX Faculty and Staff Association said the theme “came about naturally.”  She planned to implement workshops around the northern states prior to the showcase. She also invited Maestra Victoria Paola Barriga Cobos who instructed them the year prior. This year Beltran wanted a workshop on repertoires around revolution which Cobos has worked on before.

“I think the opportunity arises to provide some type of social awareness like, “Let’s talk about El Otro Norte.” So we will have a part of the showcase where we’re actually going to be honoring our immigrant parents, and our immigrant families,” Beltran said.

El Otro Norte or El Norte, refers to the United States, most often by Mexican people living in Mexico. The group will be doing a rendition and representative dance of the relationship between Mexico and El Norte to the song by Antonio Aguilar titled “Paso Del Norte”.

“That’s a song that my paternal grandfather enjoyed a lot, and it talks about that journey. And he’s thinking about su chata and thinking about his family,” Beltran emotionally said.

She expressed the great privilege it is to honor her family.

“I feel that it is so dire and important during these contentious social times that it’s an opportunity for us to uplift ourselves through the performing arts,” Beltran said.

Beltran said currently we are seeing people be censored or put down for expressing their cultural identities, but throughout history we have also seen people use art to express themselves.

“I feel it is a form of resistance..  We, Mexicans, can be here in the United States, we do not need to change our culture, how we are, or how we talk,” Brenda Jacqueline Garcia said. Garcia is a Southwest Detroit native, that has danced folklorico for 12 years, and is currently studying medical laboratory science at WSU.

WSU Ballet Folklorico is the first of its kind at the school and is coming up on its two year anniversary since its conception. Beltran has some folklorico experience and had first discussed the idea of creating this group back in 2022. At the time, she was not certain there was much interest from students. After she waited a year, and encountered multiple students asking for it to be started, the group was born.

Members of Ballet Folklórico of Wayne State University rehearse calabaceados, a high-energy dance style originating from Baja California, at the Student Center in Detroit, Michigan, on April 16, 2025. The group is preparing for their “¡Viva el Norte!” presentation, which will feature traditional dances from northern Mexico
Members of Ballet Folklórico of Wayne State University rehearse calabaceados, a high-energy dance style originating from Baja California, at the Student Center in Detroit, Michigan, on April 16, 2025. The group is preparing for their “¡Viva el Norte!” presentation, which will feature traditional dances from northern Mexico

According to Beltran, the group is purely interest based. If a person is interested in learning how to dance and about Mexican culture and the diversity within the country, they can join the workshops. They have no strict schedule, no auditions needed, and no experience needed. Performances are not required and are left up to the dancers to decide to be a part of them.

“When I got here, I felt I needed to join something to feel more connected to my culture,” Kevlyn Aguirre, president of WSU Ballet Folklorico said. Aguirre is originally from Newport Beach, California and grew up in a mostly-Mexican part of town, and now currently studies biology and neuroscience at WSU. WSU Ballet Folklorico has filled that cultural void for him.

Beltran said when she first created the group she wanted a focus on education around Mexico’s regional diversity because more often than not the folklorico dance groups are Jalisco based..

 The first year showcase was about the coastal Mexican region. Which also happened naturally after Beltran realized the majority of the workshops that year were from states in that region.

 “It’s a pride I carry inside that brings me great happiness to represent my state, even though I’m far from it, “Itzel Ventura Perez said. Perez was raised in Tijuana, Baja California and moved to the U.S. when she was 10 years old. She is currently studying physical education and health at WSU.

Beltran wishes that people come to the showcase to see all the hard work the students have put into the show. She said the students and herself take the performances very seriously as they are trying to highlight the beauty of their own culture. The group seeks to bring honor to the history and tradition of their people.

 “Sometimes people don’t realize how much history is in the dance. It’s not just costumes and steps. There’s a story behind everything,” Christopher Santiago Garcia said. Santiago Garcia was raised in Detroit and currently studies finance and engineering in business law at WSU.

Tags: Dance
Previous Post

Un punto clave: Entrevista con James Craig

Next Post

Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Vatican City

EL CENTRAL

EL CENTRAL

Related Posts

City Council Historic Designation Advisory Board to nominate Bagley-West Vernor Historic District
Community

City Council Historic Designation Advisory Board to nominate Bagley-West Vernor Historic District

by Michael Gutierrez
September 4, 2025
0

Detroit’s Bagley-West Vernor may join the National Register of Historic Places, unlocking tax credits, grants, and recognition for Latino heritage.

Read moreDetails
Community Representatives Selected for DCFC Stadium Community Benefits Process
Community

Community Representatives Selected for DCFC Stadium Community Benefits Process

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Detroit’s $150M soccer stadium sparks debate. Learn how community leaders and residents are shaping the project’s future in Corktown &...

Read moreDetails
Remembering Ken Jones
Community

Remembering Ken Jones

by EL CENTRAL
September 5, 2025
0

Celebrate the life of Kenneth Ray “Red Rock” Jone

Read moreDetails
Sheffield Touts ‘Progressive’ Agenda in Final Phase of Mayoral Race
Community

Sheffield Touts ‘Progressive’ Agenda in Final Phase of Mayoral Race

by EL CENTRAL
September 5, 2025
0

Mary Sheffield leads Detroit’s mayoral race with a progressive, anti-poverty agenda. Can she become Detroit’s first woman mayor in November?

Read moreDetails
Detroit River Nonprofit Targets Wetlands Loss with Island Habitat Restoration
Community

Detroit River Nonprofit Targets Wetlands Loss with Island Habitat Restoration

by EL CENTRAL
September 5, 2025
0

Discover how Friends of the Detroit River restored Sugar & Celeron Islands, fighting pollution and protecting wildlife in a $50M...

Read moreDetails
The “Woke” Myth: Who should decide what we see, read, and learn?
Community

The “Woke” Myth: Who should decide what we see, read, and learn?

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Español Abajo “The Museums throughout Washington, but all over the Country are, essentially, the last remaining segment of ‘WOKE,’” Trump...

Read moreDetails
Next Post
Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Vatican City

Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Vatican City

Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Volunteers Needed for Refugee Resettlement in Michigan

Volunteers Needed for Refugee Resettlement in Michigan

February 14, 2024
Southwest Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Why We Celebrate “CINCO DE MAYO, THE 5TH OF MAY”

May 2, 2024
MSHDA Opens $60 Million MI Neighborhood Applications

MSHDA Opens $60 Million MI Neighborhood Applications

April 4, 2024
Infamous Highwaymen Motorcycle Club Leader Pursues a Second Chance at Life

Infamous Highwaymen Motorcycle Club Leader Pursues a Second Chance at Life

February 1, 2024
Community and RuboFest 2022 

Community and RuboFest 2022 

0
“Vemos a México como un socio igualitario”

“Vemos a México como un socio igualitario”

0
Ford Hispanic and Latino Network Beautifies Clark Park

Ford Hispanic and Latino Network Beautifies Clark Park

0
Editorial Opinion “The Fifth, I take the Fifth”

Editorial Opinion “The Fifth, I take the Fifth”

0
DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

August 28, 2025
Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

August 28, 2025
Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

August 28, 2025
UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

August 28, 2025

Recent News

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

August 28, 2025
Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

August 28, 2025
Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

August 28, 2025
UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

August 28, 2025
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News

Michigans #1. Oldest. Largest & Only
Bilingual Hispanic News for 33 Years.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Business
  • Classifieds
  • Community
  • Culture & Arts
  • Education
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Español
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Latest News
  • Local News
  • Local Small Business
  • Music
  • National News
  • Opinion
  • Others
  • People
  • Politics
  • Resources
  • Restaurants
  • Sports
  • Throwbacks
  • World
  • World Cultures

Recent News

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

August 28, 2025
Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

August 28, 2025
  • Latest Issue
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Menu Item
  • Created with EyeBreatheDesign

© 2022 EL CENTRAL HISPANIC NEWS

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Catagories
    • Featured
    • Local News
    • Community
    • Culture & Arts
    • Español
    • Music
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise

© 2022 EL CENTRAL HISPANIC NEWS