2008 Woodie Awards
Rising Star: Julio Delgado
Dancer expresses his Mexican heritage through folkloric dance
By: Noraly Hernandez
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: The Arts
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Standing behind a thick, red curtain, beads of sweat form around his forehead and his hands tremble slightly. However, the enormous smile on his face reveals his excitement despite his apprehension.
Although he has been performing with Nuestras Raices, a folkloric dance group, for more than six years, Julio Delgado, physical education major, continues to experience the jitters before each show.
"I always feel nervous before each show, but when the curtain opens, I am just anxious to perform," Delgado said.
Folkloric dancing can be defined as the traditional customs, tales, dances or art forms preserved among a people. For Delgado, it embodies his Mexican ancestry.
"It is something that comes from the past of your country, your roots, where you come from- it's a way to show others your culture," Delgado said.
Visually, Mexican folkloric dancing is lively. Although dances vary with each region of the Mexican states, in general, women wear flowing dresses of vibrant colors, while the men wear plain shirts and pants that are less colorful.
"Unlike tap dancing, in (folkloric) dancing we use all of our foot, the heel, the toes, the ball; we even use our knees," Delgado said.
As a student in high school, Delgado was introduced to folkloric dancing when his teacher enrolled him in a dance group for a Cinco de Mayo program.
"At the beginning, I thought it was foolish, but once you have your first performance, after that you feel like you just want to keep on going; sometimes I cannot wait to go out and perform," he said.
So Delgado kept moving to the music. He said that folkloric dancing is significant in that it serves as a healthy way to release stress and it has introduced him to many of his closest friends.
"We are a close group; we have good chemistry, we even look forward to the Friday practices," Delgado said.
Furthermore, it allows him to serve as a role model to the younger group members who look up to him.
Although he has been performing with Nuestras Raices, a folkloric dance group, for more than six years, Julio Delgado, physical education major, continues to experience the jitters before each show.
"I always feel nervous before each show, but when the curtain opens, I am just anxious to perform," Delgado said.
Folkloric dancing can be defined as the traditional customs, tales, dances or art forms preserved among a people. For Delgado, it embodies his Mexican ancestry.
"It is something that comes from the past of your country, your roots, where you come from- it's a way to show others your culture," Delgado said.
Visually, Mexican folkloric dancing is lively. Although dances vary with each region of the Mexican states, in general, women wear flowing dresses of vibrant colors, while the men wear plain shirts and pants that are less colorful.
"Unlike tap dancing, in (folkloric) dancing we use all of our foot, the heel, the toes, the ball; we even use our knees," Delgado said.
As a student in high school, Delgado was introduced to folkloric dancing when his teacher enrolled him in a dance group for a Cinco de Mayo program.
"At the beginning, I thought it was foolish, but once you have your first performance, after that you feel like you just want to keep on going; sometimes I cannot wait to go out and perform," he said.
So Delgado kept moving to the music. He said that folkloric dancing is significant in that it serves as a healthy way to release stress and it has introduced him to many of his closest friends.
"We are a close group; we have good chemistry, we even look forward to the Friday practices," Delgado said.
Furthermore, it allows him to serve as a role model to the younger group members who look up to him.