Ballet Folklórico de Veracruz

Yesterday, when we headed down to the pool for our daily swim, we were pleasantly surprised to see a group of people in elaborate costumes that we recognised as the traditional dress of the state of Veracruz. It turns out they were the members of the Ballet Folklórico de Veracruz, having a photo shoot by the pool with the Gulf of Mexico in the background.

Guerita was impressed at their costumes, in particular their vestidos bonitos (beautiful dresses). As part of the “poses” they did for their photos, they performed a bit of their routine which is more tap dancing than ballet, a little bit like Irish dancing but not quite so straight-backed and using their costumes as part of the dance. Here’s a clip from You Tube which shows what it was like

The music they danced to by the pool was La Bamba, a song originating from Veracruz, performed on the harp and jarana, which is the traditional way of playing it. I remember when we were having Spanish lessons before we came to Mexico, we learnt the lyrics to La Bamba (the Richie Valens version anyway) so I am always tempted to join in whenever I hear it.

Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia y otra cosita
Y arriba y arriba
Y arriba y arriba y arriba ire
Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, por ti sere
Por ti sere, por ti sere