Show Cinco De Mayo began with a bang Henry Rudolph Contributing Writer Cinco De Mayo began with a bang on May 1 in inthe inthe inthe the Sunken Lounge of College Center Students and spectators were treated to a rare and exotic taste of Mexican culture and tradition tradition tradition tion as the festivities officially began with the Ballet Director of the festival and assistant director of admissions admissions admissions ad ad- missions Carol Sandoval said Cinco De I Mayo is a celebration celebration celebration tion of Mexico's Independence Independence Independence Inde Inde- from British and later French rule Carol noted that The various dances dances dances dan dan- ces customs and presentations presentations presentations presenta presenta- were a symbolic and cultural event which is F celebrated by Hispanic peoples Sandoval gave a rundown of the events scheduled for forthe forthe forthe the week and invited everyone to participate and acquire some insight into the ethnic pride cultural and historical historical historical his his- background represented represented represented by this week long celebration Sandoval capped her statements by introducing introducing introducing ing Salvadore Reyes and his daughters Tina and Lupe to dance the Ballet The dancers began with a tribute to the Aztecs Reyes looked every bit the Aztec chieftain His His colorful attire seemed to transport the audience back to the period symbolized by this primal dance Reyes kept beat in unison with the drum by kicking and shaking rattles attached to his feet creating a hypnotic hypnotic hypnotic hyp hyp- beat The dancers kicked kicked kicked kick kick- ed and spun in a manner reminiscent of the martial arts form Reyes culminated his performance performance performance per per- by lighting a cauldron and placing his bare barefoot barefoot barefoot foot into the flame He then placed his exposed thigh into the flame and blowing it upward upward upward up up- ward towards the heavens The audience mystified approval approval approval ap ap- ap- ap was demonstrated by their round of applause The next number performed performed performed per per- formed by the group was Folk Dance Vera Cruz Dressed in ina a white farmers farmer's suit and straw cap he made the dance come alive The movements in this particular number seemed to be an early precursor sor to modern square dance I di f Hispanic singers entertain students as part of Cinco De Mayo festivities specifically the he si do movement The music's tempo quickened and Reyes Reye's shouted II Arriba as his daughters joined in The final number included included included in in- a costume change that gave Reyes the Cisco Kid look He was resplendent in a beige outfit with gold bangles and medallions on the side of the tailor-made tailor suit He capped this final dance with the upbeat tempo of the traditional Mexican Hat Dance Salvadore was particularly particularly particularly par par- adept to tapping his way intricately around the large sombrero placed on the floor This was the culmination culmination culmination tion of the dance Fiesta Jalisco Jalis jalis- co and was concluded with the shout Arriba Mexico |