Founded in 1992, the Los Angeles-based Pacífico Dance Company has been thrilling audiences with its unique blend of modern and traditional dance for well over a decade. Under the guidance of Adriana Astorga-Gainey, general and artistic director, the company has evolved and created its own unique style, costume designs, music and choreography. Since its founding, Pacífico has performed for audiences throughout the United States and Asia. With some 40 dancers and musicians, it prides itself on educating culturally diverse communities, as well as providing Hispanic audiences with a forum for developing pride in their own heritage.
On Stage: Pacifico Dance Company
In these excerpts, dancers perform the Concheros, the Mexican Hat Dance, Old Dances From Michoacan, and Que Lindo Es Chihuahua.
As you watch, stay focused on your purpose for viewing. Find out what these dances have in common and what differentiates them from one another.
Before you get started, think of what you already know about Mexico and Mexican culture. In what ways is the Pacific Coast of Mexico different from the East Coast of Mexico in terms of geography and culture? Keep this in mind as you explore the interactive.
As you watch, compare and contrast the ways in which the dancers tell their story.
Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Reflection
Do you think each dance was trying to tell a story? If so, what about? What clues did you pick up on to determine this?
These performances show four different traditional Mexican dances and are an excellent opportunity to learn about Mexican culture and history.
Instructional Strategies
This interactive lends itself to large-group or individual listening as well as to both individual and group research.
These performances can support and enhance a number of different curricular objectives.
Have students research the significance of each of the dances. Pay close attention to the Mexican Hat Dance and the Dance of the Ancients. Find out:
Learn about the music that accompanies each of the dances.
Learn about the cultural events and occasions at which these dances are performed.
Producer
Kenny Neal
Updated
January 7, 2020
Travel through the diverse cultures of Latin America, as represented by artists from Ecuador, Cuba, Bolivia, El Salvador, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas and California. Enjoy art rich in both tradition and innovation.
What’s the difference between troika and hula? How can dance tell stories and preserve histories? Discover dance and its impact on culture by exploring Ancient Egyptian rituals and Native American legends. Learn how dance tells stories and poems through a language of movement and music, and pick up a few moves yourself.
Tambuco is a percussion quartet founded in 1993 by four Mexican musicians. Tambuco’s performances weave music, instruments, and playing techniques from all over the world into a colorful tapestry of sounds, some familiar and some completely new.
Eric Friedman
Director, Digital Learning
Kenny Neal
Manager, Digital Education Resources
Tiffany A. Bryant
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement
JoDee Scissors
Content Specialist, Digital Learning
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
