The sweat instantly starts to form. It’s 85 degrees out: a blistering Spring day.
Elizabeth Barron walks out from the shade and all eyes are on her. She walks 100 yards from a building onto the stage and already she has captured the crowd’s attention with her copilli. The traditional Mexican headdress’ feathers span nearly 5 feet high.
Barron is part of Tlaloc Chalchihuitticue Aztec Dance group from San Jose. She and three others came out to celebrate Latino Heritage Month on Cinco de Mayo at Foothill College.
Aztec dancers bring back fond memories for 25-year-old Azaret Gonzalez.
“Every time I see Aztec dancers it takes me back to Chapultepec,” Gonzalez said. “I remember when I was in Mexico City, my dad would take me there to see [them].”
Their presence drew a crowd large enough to fill 13 picnic tables. Despite the awe of the crowd, the attendance did not come close in comparison with the opening ceremony the previous day.
The opening ceremony hosted a graffiti competition, car show, a dance performance by Sammy Ramirez and traditional Mexican food.
Three low riders were featured on May 4, representing the Chicano culture. Two of the three cars were Chevy Impalas from Impala’s Car Club Nor Cal division. Janette Aguiniga brought her 1968 turquoise Impala with hydraulics.
“In the summer I drive it more than in the winter,” Aguiniga said. “You don’t want to get it dirty.”
She had received the precious vehicle from her brother.
Dean of Student Affairs and Activities at Foothill Pat
Hyland has been collecting cars for four years. She drives her “bomb” 1951 Chevy Styleline Delux, low and slow.
“You have to be relaxed to drive it,” Hyland said.
Sammy Ramirez, from “So You Think You Can Dance” fame, performed two routines on Wednesday.
Right before beginning his first act, he announced to the audience, “I do popping. I hope you like it, if not, too bad.”
Audience members requested a second showing, so Ramirez went back with what “So You Think You Can Dance” deemed an “infectious smile.”
“I started dancing my junior year and my senior year [of high school],” Ramirez said. “I met this guy named Junior and he started teaching me and I just had this crazy obsession.”
Now Ramirez teaches in Carmel, Gilroy, Los Banos and Hollister, where he lives now. Children 7-12 learn how to wave, cut, pop, isolate, and do the robot from Ramirez.
“I hope one day my studio will be my main focus,” Ramirez said. “That’s the dream.”
On May 5, Tlaloc Chalchihuitticue displayed their Mexican heritage on stage, and commenced their Toncentzin performance, a dance for Mother Earth.
While trying to catch her breath, Barron educated the audience about the meaning each dance holds.
“The fire that burns within all of us,” refers to the first sound we hear on this earth, a heartbeat.
“The drum touches all of us,” Barron said before the second dance routine. “We all heard it when we were little.”
For the past 500 years, these dances were passed down from generation to generation. The United Stated didn’t become familiar with Aztec dance until the 1970s. It originated from an ancient prayer society in what is now Mexico.
Barron began her traditional dances by burning copal, tree sap, in a sauhmador, or incense burner, to project good prayers out.
These well-intentioned thoughts persuaded audience members to join her in her final performance, the friendship dance. With sweat dripping from her face, Barron jokingly promised the audience that they wouldn’t get too hot or sweaty.
David Yanez, wearing a jaguar’s head, does Tezkat Lipoka, “Dance of the Night Sky” celebration, honoring the mighty jaguar. (Nick Gonzales/LA VOZ WEEKLY)
Janette Aguiniga brought her 1968 Chevy Impala to Foothill for Latino Heritage Month opening ceremony, May 4, 2011. (Nick Gonzales/LA VOZ WEEKLY)
After auditioning for “So You Think You Can Dance,” hip hop dancer Sammy Ramirez makes an appear to show off his latest popping moves. (Nick Gonzales/LA VOZ WEEKLY)
