Auditorium Theatre 2018-19 Issue 1 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

14 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2018-19 | September 26 - November 16, 2018 Palacio des Bellas Artes (the Palace of Fine Arts) in Mexico City in 1959. It was there that the group performed for President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in 1962. That same year, the company also performed in New York City for the first time. Overall, Hernández created over 80 works for Ballet Folklórico, drawing inspiration and incorporating elements from Mexican tradition and folklore. It was especially important to her to focus on indigenous dance, which can be seen in pieces like Ballet Azteca , which was inspired by descriptions of indigenous dance found in codices and reports left written by Aztec monks; and Deer Dance , which was influenced by the traditions of hunters from the Yaqui region. Hernández said, "The power of the native dance, the power of these influences that have come into our days, this is what makes the folklore so rich. Not just steps, it all has a meaning." The costumes and sets used by Hernández’ company are created specifically for Ballet Folklórico, representing the rich, colorful, and multifaced cultures of Mexico’s different regions. Amalia Hernández died in 2000 at the age of 83. She turned the company over to her daughters, Norma López Hernández and Amalia Viviana Basante Hernández, during the later years of her life. Today, her daughters, along with her grandson, Salvador López López, serve as the company’s leaders. Ballet Folklórico de Mexico continues to perform Hernández’s works, sometimes making updates to the choreography so that the dances look “more dynamic, more bright” as Salvador López López explained to the Chicago Tribune in 2015. This year, the pieces Fiesta en Jalisco, Danza del Venado , and sections in Ballet Azteca feature updated choreography. Amalia Hernández created a long-lasting, vibrant dance company that brings traditional Mexican dance to audiences around the world. Don’t miss Ballet Folklórico de México when the company returns to Chicago in November! Ballet Folklórico de Mexico dancers with John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. Fiesta en Jalisco Charreada Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández performs at the Auditorium Theatre on November 10-11, 2018.