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Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan collection

 Collection
Identifier: H-Mss-1109

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials related to the Ballet Folklorico Mexicapan Company during the years it was participating in events and leading workshops. The collection is primarily comprised of flyers and programs from events throughout the years, as well as correspondence between the company and event organizers. There are also a significant collection of photographs of the company members, either developed, photocopied or in the form of film slides and strips. Alongside this are recordings of the Ballet Folklorico Mexicapan Company performances, in the form of a Betamax tape, super 8mm reels and DVDs. Other folders contain choreography notes, music sheets, audition lists, evaluation forms from events, incorporation papers, member records and newspaper clippings about events and company members.

Dates

  • Creation: 1972 January 21 - 1995 April 22

Language of Materials

Languages represented in the collection: English, Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to reproduce or to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.

Biographical / Historical

This collection contains materials pertaining to history and performances of the Ballet Folklorico Mexicapan Company. The earliest item is a 1972 pamphlet for a dance performance at Santa Ana College, directed and choreographed by Benjamin and Chela Hernandez. Benjamin went on to found Ballet Folklorico Mexicapan Company in the summer of 1973 alongside dancer, Patricia Barrigan. The company aimed to preserve and display the rich traditions of Mexican folklore through dance, and their dances were based on years of previous research in Mexico conducted by Benjamin Hernandez himself. In 1976, they became legally incorporated into an official company. From 1973 to 1983, the company led workshops and performed regularly, primarily across Southern California and at events that promoted Mexican cultural heritage. The company frequently performed at East Los Angeles College, where Benjamin Hernandez taught, and also attended annual conferences held by the Associacion Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos (ANGF), which is the national Mexican Folk Dance Association. In 1975, Rafael Lara and Livier Santa joined the company, and it is their contributions which make up the majority of the collections photographs, depicting performances, rehearsals and social events held by the company. The most recent item is an April 1995 flyer for a Ballet Folkorico Mexicapan Company reunion performance held in Montebello City Park, containing a majority of the original members.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (1 record box, 2 flat boxes)

Abstract

The Ballet Folklorico Mexicapan Papers contain the history of the Ballet Folkorico Mexicapan company, which existed for ten years from 1973 to 1983. Led by Benjamin Hernandez and Patricia Barrigan, the company aimed to preserve and display the rich traditions of Mexican folklore through dance, leading workshops and events. The collection contains flyers and programs for these events from throughout these years, as well as photographs of the dancers and company paperwork.

Physical Location

Please consult repository.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Benjamin C. Hernandez, Livier Santana and Rafael Lara, 2018. The three donors were all part of the Ballet Folkorico Mexicapan Company, and Benjamin Hernandez was a founding member.

Accruals

No additions to the collection are anticipated.

Title
Ballet Folkorico Mexicapan Papers
Author
Finding Aid prepared by Katriona Lawrenson, Pitzer College, Spring 2019
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the 01 - Special Collections & Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library Repository

Contact:
800 North Dartmouth Ave
Claremont CA 91711 United States