Conexiones Latinas de McLean County is launching a new endeavor, Ballet Folklorico de Central Illinois, an attempt to showcase the art and culture of the Latino community.
The original Ballet Folklórico de México is a Mexican ensemble in Mexico City. For six decades, it has presented dances in costumes that reflect the traditional culture of Mexico.
The ensemble also has appeared under the name Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández.
That ballet's works and musical pieces reflect various regions and folk music genres of Mexico. Many of the ensemble's works reflect the traditions of indigenous Mesoamerican culture.
Numbers of performers in individual dance numbers range from two to more than thirty-five.
Under Hernández, the group was a pioneer of Baile Folklórico in Mexico. Similar groups have formed in the U.S.