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Ballet Folklorico dance troupe hosts annual recital
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Ballet Folklorico Viva Mexico troupe presented its yearly recital Saturday, July 20. From soloists to duos, trios and larger groups, their performances represent the regional dances of regions of Central Mexico. This group, from left, includes Roxalyn Garcia, Izel Tellez, Samantha Alaniz, Laila Ramos, Boston Navarro, Galileah Himenez and Sophica Barboza. They are dancing the region of Baja California, to the tune of Arreando la Mula. Ric McGinnis/The News

Popular dance troupe, Riverbank’s Ballet Folklorico Viva Mexico, presented its annual recital on Saturday, July 20 in the auditorium of Thomas Downey High School in Modesto.

Organized by Program Director Norma Torres-Manriquez, the event focused on showcasing her students’ progress and ability in presenting music, costumes and dances from the central provinces of Mexico. Dancers range from the very youngest, up through and including adults, in solo, duo, trio and larger configurations.

In the past, the troupe has performed its recitals in the Riverbank Community Center, on the stage at Plaza del Rio Park in downtown, and even a turn at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

The program moved along at a good clip, starting at 3 p.m., and they were able to get in the first 12 groups in the first hour, before taking a brief intermission.

The large auditorium seating at Downey High School was somewhat packed, with a number of families and friends attending to cheer their dancers along.

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In a performance at Downey High School in Modesto on Saturday, Ballet Folklorico Viva Mexico performed its annual recital. Dancers of all ages celebrated the regional music, fashion and dances of territories of Mexico. Here, Ahtziri Castañeda dances the region of Chiapas, to a piece called El Carnavalero. Ric McGinnis/The News