Baile Folklorico: One of the Many Ways Casa de la Cultura is keeping Del Rio’s Art & Culture Alive

Adult Folklorico students practice at the Brown Plaza for their upcoming performance during Thursday, August 1, 2024's class.

Connect Del Rio’s journalist, Alondra Sanchez, had a chance to speak with the teen and adult beginners Folklorico class at the Casa de la Cultura as they prepared for their upcoming performance at the Brown Plaza during Noches Musicales on Friday, August 9, 2024. 

The group meets on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6-7:30pm at the Casa, led by their instructor, Axochitzin “Xochitl” Abrego. Xochitl began dancing Folklorico at the age of 6, at the Casa de la Cultura, and spent many years learning from instructors and programs across Texas and Mexico.

Upon moving back to Del Rio after a career as a female mariachi and a full time musician, she found her way back to her roots at the Casa de la Cultura, taking on the role of an Art Admin, assisting with the various art and music classes provided by the Casa. “I was born and raised in the Casa so I’ve always had my heart here,” Abrego told us about her connection to the Casa as the daughter of two of its founding members. “I live and breathe the Casa de la Cultura & it’s important to keep the legacy alive.” 

Originally founded as a way to provide a safe space to foster community and creativity in the San Felipe area for low income families and at-risk youth, the Casa de la Cultura has been providing art programs and cultural/humanitarian support for decades. 

Through grants and donations, they have been able to provide a range of art, pottery, organizational, cooking, music, and language classes, including Folklorico, which keep the culture alive in Del Rio for people of all ages and backgrounds. “The Casa gets those grants to help cover the cost of these programs, that’s why we’re a cultural center, that’s why we’re a nonprofit,” Abrego continued. “If you can’t afford, for example, the hairpiece or costume for this class, that’s what the grants and sponsorships are for,” she told us. “There’s people who don’t want this aspect of our cultura to die, they are willing to drop that money to support you in a heartbeat.” 

Folklorico specifically, is a form of dance that ties back to indigenous Mexican cultures and has multiple forms representing different states across Mexico. The dance itself, the costumes, and the hair, are all influenced by the region, the industry, and the history present in that particular area. “Every piece is part of history itself and tells the story of that region,” Abrego said about the historical and cultural significance of Folklorico. “I always say, we always carry the rhythm in our blood.”

Folklorico Instructor, Xochitl Abrego leads the class through one last run through during Thursday's practice.

Without instructors like Xochitl and cultural centers like the Casa de la Cultura, practices like Folklorico could be long forgotten. Because of their dedication to preserving and promoting Mexican and Mexican American art and culture, people from all over the region can learn about and connect with their roots. 

“I was fascinated with Mexican and Aztec culture and I would always see Folklorico dancers and I begged my mom to let me do it, so when classes finally opened back up after the pandemic, I was one of the first to join this class,” 17 year old, Nayeli Martinez told us about what drove her to learn Folklorico. As part of the teaching program at the high school, she taught her fifth grade students about Folklorico, teaching them about the history and even some of the dance steps, inspiring a few of them to join the class as well. “I want to go to Texas State, where they have a good Folklorico program.” “I want to minor in Dance Education so I can continue to do Folklorico and share the culture with more people,” Martinez told us. 

Brenda Pacheco, a 31 year old Brackettville, Texas citizen who makes the 30 minute drive here twice a week, every week to be a part of this class, told us she feels connected to her parents and her heritage through Folklorico. “I had been looking for a Folklorico class and wanted to learn for years but couldn’t find any classes in Brackettville,” Pacheco began. “I tried to join a few other groups but wasn’t accepted into them because I had aged out, then I found this class.” She told us about finally finding a group with no age limits. 

Others have found that this class has helped them get into shape and maintain a healthier lifestyle. “I’ve been in Folklorico for about three years and I joined because of my grandkids, but also because I was struggling with a high A1C and diabetes,” Julissa Casillas, 54 years old, shared. “I’m now down to 200 pounds and a 6.3 A1C, so it’s helped me a lot with exercise, I had to get moving.” Casillas continued. “It’s also my personal time to do something I love and I’ve always wanted to learn how to dance folklorico but was never able to do it until now.” 

Space is limited but the class is open to anyone who is interested for just $25 a month plus the cost of costumes. For more information you can stop by at 302 Cantu Street, Del Rio, Texas 78840, or contact the Casa de la Cultura at https://lacasadelacultura.org or 830-768-2287. 

Connect Del Rio looks forward to following this class and the other programs that the Casa de la Cultura has to offer.