Danzantes Unidos Festival DUF 2018 “Cultura Sin Fronteras” will take place on March 23, 24 & 25 in Fresno, CA and honors the ongoing work of folklorico artists sharing culture and traditions across the United States and in Mexico. Registration is OPEN at www.danzantes.org . Regular Registration ends February 12, 2018.

INSTRUCTOR: OSVALDO RAMIREZ VIDALES

Osvaldo Ramírez Vidales was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He began his dance career at the age of 17 where he joined Raíces de mi Tierra and completed a full 10 year trajectory with them from 2001-2010.  From a beginner dancer to co-artistic director, Osvaldo took on multiple roles learning from his dance directors and attending Danzantes Unidos Festival since 2002. Simultaneously, he joined Instituto Mazatlán Bellas Artes dance company as guest dancer from 2005-2007. Between these two companies, Osvaldo had the opportunity travel and perform across California, Texas, Mexico, and China at the International Beijing Dance Festival. To further diversify his skills as dancer and choreographer, Osvaldo has attended the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos (ANGF) conferences since 2003 and recently the Asociación Nacional de Maestros de la Danza Popular Mexicana in México (ANMDPM) since 2013. His dance training also includes Bharatanatyam Classical Indian Dance, Ballroom, Capoeira, Afro-Cuban, Salsa, Flamenco, and Ballet. As of 2011, Osvaldo along with Manuel Pérez, became co-artistic directors of their own dance group called Grupo Folklórico Los Alteños in Sacramento. He currently works as a state employee with EDD and teaches Mexican Folklorico as Faculty Lecturer at CSU Sacramento since 2011.

At DUF 2018: MEXICO (ESTADO DE) – DANZAS MAZAHUAS (Ages 18+)

The presence of European dances such as polkas and shotiz during the 1800’s allowed for new styles of music to be developed by indigenous groups in Mexico. In Estado de Mexico, the Mazahua people were introduced to shotiz dances which they tried to dance and in the process, these dances became sort of a burlesque form of European dances. The Mazahua people portray a more playful style of shotiz as these dances require a lot of partner work, energy, stamina, and fast movements. Unlike shotiz from Chihuahua or Nuevo Leon, these Bailes Mazahuas are danced with huaraches and the traditional Mazahua outfits that people wear on a daily basis. Lastly, these dances require strong leads and follows where women often are the ones leading.   

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS HERE!

DUF 2018 will take place on March 23-25  in Fresno, CA.

Regular Registration: January 15 to February 12 – $90

Late Registration: February 13 to March 14 – $100

Space-permitting . . . Onsite Registration – $120

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