The Heart Of Mexico Comes To The Auditorium Theatre With Ballet Folkórico De México De Amalia Hernández

Traditional Dance Pieces and Native Folk Music Help Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
October 6 and 7

CHICAGO, IL – Credited as the “Cultural Representative of Mexico to the World,” Ballet Folklorico de México de Amalia Hernández lights up the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) with spirited dances rooted in traditional folk music. Full of movement, rhythm and technical perfection, the company, who has been presenting cultural dance throughout the world for the past five decades, takes audiences on a journey through the past on October 6 and 7. Tickets ($30 – $74) are on sale now and are available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by phone (800.982.2787) or in-person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E. Congress Parkway).

“Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández brings sheer energy and passion to the stage and we are so thrilled to have that energy back at the Auditorium,” said ATRU Executive Director Brett Batterson. “This company not only celebrates traditional music and dance but teaches audiences about the traditions and customs of a deeply rooted culture.”

For over 60 years Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández has brought Mexican culture to audiences throughout the world. Founded in 1952 by Amalia Hernández, the ballet has historically celebrated traditional musical pieces from various regions of Mexico and folk music genres native to the country, depicting the traditions of indigenous Meso-American culture through their authentic, spirited movement. Their engagement at the Auditorium will also celebrate Hispanic heritage month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) as the company tells rich stories with their eclectic program featuring pieces such as “The Mayas,” “Tixtla Plataform,” “Revolution,” “Charreada,” “Deer Dance,” “Jalisco” and “Tlacotalpan Festivity” which the Chicago Tribune hails as “[a] number like no other in concert dance and underscores [the] company’s unique mission in celebrating an entire heritage through the medium of popular choreography.”

The company is currently under the leadership of the late founders family members including Artistic Director Norma López Hernández and Viviana Basanta Hernández and General Director Salvador López all of whom maintain the integrity and true spirit of its tireless, inimitable leader, Amalia Hernández. Since Ballet Folklórico was founded 60 years ago, the company has presented more than 15,000 performances before a collective audience in excess of 22 million people.  Hernández’s enormous body of work, which is continuously noted for its brilliant theatricality and passion, was informed by her deep knowledge and love of traditional folkloric dances. Throughout her life, Hernández regularly revised and renewed her work, a tradition continued today by her family. The result is a recreation of Mexican traditions on stage, preserving the diversity and character found throughout the many regions of Mexico.

About Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

In 1952, Amalia Hernández, dancer and choreographer, founded the Ballet Folklórico of México, having embarked, at a very early age, on a never-ending quest to rescue the dancing traditions of Mexico. In 1954, Amalia started a series of presentations that credited her as the Cultural Representative of Mexico to the world at large. International success was achieved during the first tours of the company and has been maintained through the sixty years of incessant artistic endeavors. From the early sixties, Amalia Hernández and the Ballet Folklórico of México have developed the choreographies for 40 ballets, composed of 76 folk dancers. The music, technical perfection, sophisticated wardrobe and original choreographies, create this singular character of the Ballet. Amalia Hernández and the Ballet Folklórico of México have been distinguished with more than 200 awards in recognition to their artistic merits. The Ballet was initiated by performing a weekly program on television, sponsored by the Mexican government. Since 1959 it is being permanently presented at the Palace of Fine Arts, foremost stage for Art Mexico City. The institution has two main artistic companies called The First Company and the Resident Company: both alternate tours and performances in Mexico and abroad. They have already performed more than five thousand presentations. The music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore combined with the talent of their artists have achieved national and international success.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $30 – $74, available online at www.ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-2787 or in-person at ATRU’s Box Office (50 E. Congress Parkway).

Subscriptions for the Auditorium Theatre’s 2012-2013 season and discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are on sale. For more information or to purchase a subscription or group tickets call (312) 431-2357 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Sponsorship Information

Opening Night Sponsor for Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández is the Sara Lee Foundation. Sponsor Partners are the Consulate General of Mexico, Mexican Tourism Board, and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Rojo Verde and Rincon Alteno are the official Tequila Sponsors and the Palmer House is the Official Hotel Partner

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the Illinois Arts Council, CityArts and the Palmer House Hilton.  For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call (312) 922-2110 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.