Mexican dancers fired up for festival

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This article was published 23/01/2020 (2174 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of dancers from Mexico hit the dance floor mere hours after stepping off a plane in Brandon on Wednesday, rehearsing their performances for the Westman Multicultural Festival.

This is the first year the dance group Rey Vels will be performing at the Mexican pavilion, organizer Carlos Munoz said, and the first time most of the performers have ever seen Canada.

“It’s a really good experience. … This time is their first time in Canada, first time seeing the snow, first time doing shows in Canada — they’re really excited,” Munoz said.

“They’re professional dancers. We’re doing the Mexican pavilion and I want to do it right. We don’t have Mexican dancers in Canada, or at least in the area, so why not bring them from Mexico for the real experience?”

Munoz first saw Rey Vels perform in Mexico last year, he said, and immediately fell in love with their show.

“I really liked the energy and how they showcase every single state and province in Mexico,” Munoz said. “The show is totally amazing. People will love it.”

The group performs four different traditional dances from different areas of Mexico, Munoz said, each showing off different costumes and different rhythms.

The dancers also interact with the crowd, Munoz added, which makes for a really fun experience.

It took six months to plan and rehearse this particular show for Brandon, said Rey Vels’s artistic director, Jesus Martinez, adding he was thankful for the opportunity to showcase his culture outside of Mexico.

“(The audience) will feel like they are in Mexico for a night,” Martinez said.

Martinez came to Brandon to perform two years ago with a different dance group, but stepped away from that group to create Rey Vels.

Martinez said he is excited to be back in Brandon performing, and is excited to share the experience with his group.

“I really like the people here and the hospitality of the Brandonites,” Martinez said. “(The dancers) are so excited, they’re happy, and they’re proud of themselves to be able to be here. They have to leave back home their jobs and their school to be here for a week, so to be able to do it they’re very happy, excited and they can’t wait until (tonight) to start performing.”

In addition to new entertainment, Munoz said this year’s menu at the pavilion is also new, featuring many pork, chicken and beef dishes, Mexican rice, tres leches cake, tortilla soup and plenty of tortillas, pico de gallo and guacamole to go around.

Volunteers will also be serving a variety of Mexican beers, margaritas, specialty drinks and, of course, tequila.

The Mexican pavilion is located at the Brandon Shrine Club, 1110 McTavish Ave. East.

Rey Vels will perform four shows tonight and tomorrow starting at 6:30 p.m. and seven shows on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday, guests are also invited to stay for the after party, which will take place from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

 

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