On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff & Volunteers of Danzantes Unidos Festival DUF 2015 “Reconquistando el pueblo con danza y cancion” we extend a warm, mil gracias, to the group directors, participants, parents, chaperones and family members that attended DUF 2015 in Fresno on March 27, 28 & 29.

Their job well-completed, DUF 2015 Registration Committee opened the Showcase Concert on Saturday. Photo credit:  Jaime Morales

Jaime Morales (pictured above), Director of Compania de Danza El Sol lead his group members as they once again reprised their roles as DUF On-site Registration Team.  Photo credit:  Filiberto Zamora

All participants will be receiving an opportunity to give us their feedback via our DUF 2015 Participant Survey. In the interim, we welcome your anecdotes, original artwork and DUF memories for our scrapbook (aka website) and ask that you send your correspondence with header “DUF Testimonial” to [email protected].

DUF Mercado Coordinator, recruited over 27 vendors and the directed the operations of the DUF Mercado. Pictured: Amber Valdez, Mercado Coordinator, Chris Salone, CWHS Facilities Liaison, Richard Delgado, DU Board Member Photo credit: Amber Valdez

DUF Staff Chalome Gonzalez (graphics & Altares), Martha Andrade (DUF Info & Sales), Maia Gonzalez (Assistant to DU Executive Director & Altares), David Gonzalez (Altares & Folklorico Promoter). Photo credit: David Gonzalez

Highlights of the weekend included: fifty-one dance workshops at Clovis West High School, a three night Showcase Concert series at the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts, a family-oriented Fandango with live Son Jarocho jam, a lively  ¡Pachanga! at the historic Rainbow Ballroom, Mercado Folklorico with over twenty-seven vendors, Altares y Ofrendas celebrating our community members that have passed on, Multimedia Art Exhibit featuring three emerging artists–Alfredo Ponce, David Gonzalez & Jose Anaya, Free Parent Pavilion with workshops on regional hairstyles, theater makeup, Marimba Alma & folklorico-in-public schools seminar.

Jerry Fierro aka DUF Maestro Wrangler aka Showcase & Recital Stage Manager aka DU Treasurer, served as Liaison to the over 50 Maestros for DUF Workshops. Photo above: Jerry Fierro & Teocalli Member, Amado Martinez. Photo below: Jerry with Compañia de Danza El Sol Registration Committee Members, Beto Prado & Jesus Quiñonez. Photo credit: Jerry Fierro

Mother-daughter team , Juana & Francisca Saludado (and assistant, Vertiz) coordinated over 600 performers over three nights for the DUF Concert Series at the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts. Photo credit: Cuca Montoya

All-in-all it was a jam-packed weekend of folklorico revelry celebrating our year-round passion for presenting our culture and heritage through dance. We hope you had a blast and would like to share this film by Emmy award-winning film editor, Jose Edward Muñoz which was created especially for our DUF 2015 Opening Ceremonies.

DUF 2015 Opening Ceremonies video by Emmy award-winning, editor, Jose Edward Muñoz

Danzantes Unidos is the cultural network of folklorico dancers in the United States. We exist with year-round programming to serve your folklorico needs. Our new website at www.danzantes.org is our new home and hope that you will visit us as we launch Phase II of the website design this Summer. The welcome mat reads, “Mi Casa Es Su Casa”. Please mark your calendars and save the dates for DUF 2016 on March 18, 19 & 20. Sign up to receive our newsletter for news and information as we confirm the site location for DUF 2016, as well as our many other year-round programs. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image credit: Chalome Gonzalez