By Alondra Tamayo, Nov. 5, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona’s folklórico club Zapateando del Corazón, which translates to tapping from the heart, welcomed new members who wish to tap deeper into their Latino heritage.
First-generation CPP student alumni Marilyn Leiva believes representation is important. Being a folklórico dancer for more than 14 years, she decided to take the next steps and run a folklórico group at CPP to expand inclusivity in the Latino community.
As the dance coordinator, Leiva said folklórico showcases the rich cultural heritage of dance and serves as a vibrant expression of identity and community.
“Our mission is to uplift our dancers and reassure them why they are dancing and remind them why this is important,” Leiva said. “Sometimes the meaning gets lost, but we represent our ancestors and culture. Through dance, we’re telling our story.”
Folklórico is a dance form, like tap dancing, that celebrates Mexican culture. Each movement, costume, and musical note tells a story, preserving centuries-old traditions passed down through generations, according to Leiva.
Its origins trace back to Indigenous rituals and Spanish influences. Folklórico embodies the essence of Mexico’s diverse regions, capturing the natural essence of its people’s resilience, joy and spirit. It also refers to various traditional dances from different states and regions of Mexico, according to an article by Dance Spirit.
“My main goal is always to preserve the tradition and richness of the folklórico culture in México,” Leiva said. “I create dances that match its region, and each region has a different unique wardrobe.”
Zapateando del Corazón is offered to all students at CPP who enjoy dance and tradition. With its colorful attire, makeup and dance, students can find pleasure in the club through dance, and the opportunity to reconnect with Latin roots and create meaningful connections with other students from the same heritage.
Being of Black, Salvadoran and Mexican ethnic background, Leiva welcomes everyone to join the club.
“We don’t care about race identity ethnicity we don’t care about any of that,” Leiva said. “The more the merrier at this point. If you want to become of a part of this club and part of the family that’s so inclusive and so welcoming this is the place to be.”
Each practice consists of learning about new regions and the dance steps from the specific area. Three hours of training every Sunday allows members to improve their dancing skills and learn about each other. The club has a no-fee membership; however, the club requires members to purchase their own attire and special tap shoes.
The club’s vice-president Miriam Velasquez described folklórico as a way to feel liberated and part of a community.
Velasquez helps the club gain more exposure for their performances. They collaborate with CPP’s mariachi band where they dance as the band plays. They have also planned to participate in the Day of the Dead event happening on November 7th at the Bronco Commons, where they will be showcasing their skillful dances.
“We try to reach out wherever we see events to see if there is a possibility we can dance there,” Velasquez said.
Members also get the opportunity to attend “Dazantes Unidos Festival”, a dance convention located in Fresno, California. The club attends for a weekend in March, where members can practice and learn new skills and techniques from professional folklórico teachers from all over the world, including Mexico.
The convention is an opportunity for members to network and meet people from other dance companies, according to Velasquez.
These bonding events also allow members to create a sense of family and comfort.
“We are building community and making friends in the process in hopes to make it a safe space for anyone to join,” Velasquez said.
Club member Julian Vasquez described folklórico as a celebration of culture. Having danced folklórico before, Vasquez decided to join the club because he missed the feeling it brought him.
“I started dancing because my dad made me,” Vasquez said. “It wasn’t until the age of 9 when I got more interested in it when I saw college students performing and saw they were having a great time.”
Being one of the three male members of the club, Zapateando del Corazón allowed him to connect with his passion of dance and music. He loves the way both dance and music help him connect with himself and his heritage.
“Once I hear the music, I easily connect to myself and my culture,” Vasquez said. “But once I start dancing, all my worries leave, and the fun begins.”
Feature Image Courtesy of Zapateando del Corazón
