City leaders should make Fresno the official capital of Mexican folkloric dance | Opinion

Juan Esparza Loera
·4 min read
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I’ve seen enough! The Danzantes Unidos Festival, the largest gathering of Mexican folklórico dancers in the country, deserves to permanently call Fresno its home.

Five months ago, the festival was homeless after Clovis school officials ruled out Clovis West as a site for the festival’s workshops. That was until McLane High stepped up to host the 45th edition of the festival.

The only thing certain about the festival’s future is that McLane will host it next year on April 11-13.

Horacio Heredia (in cap) leads a folkloric dance workshop at McLane High School on March 23, 2024. The event was part of the 45th Danzantes Unidos Festival.
Horacio Heredia (in cap) leads a folkloric dance workshop at McLane High School on March 23, 2024. The event was part of the 45th Danzantes Unidos Festival.

McLane High Vice Principal Ramiro Terán posted on Instagram: “McLane @highlanderhype is looking forward to hosting you next year. Mark your calendars and start to make plans to attend the 46th DUF 2025 at McLane High School on April 12-13, 2025.”

After next year, the future sites are uncertain.

“This festival is a gypsy by design,” said María Luisa Colmenárez, executive director of Danzantes Unidos. “Fresno has been ideal for its location and amenities.”

Fresno, said Colmenárez, fills the three requirements for a venue: Workshop site, theater and hotel accommodations.

Rikki Hurtado and her Clovis East High colleagues performed dances from Zacatecas at the México Magico show at Roosevelt High School on March 24, 2024. The event was organized by Danza Alianza and Teocalli Cultural Academy.
Rikki Hurtado and her Clovis East High colleagues performed dances from Zacatecas at the México Magico show at Roosevelt High School on March 24, 2024. The event was organized by Danza Alianza and Teocalli Cultural Academy.

Looks like Fresno can solve her some headaches – Colmenárez and festival organizers scrambled last fall/winter looking for a venue after failing to get approved to use Clovis West, a previous host.

Fresno, home of the Danzantes Unidos Festival!

Sounds awesome!

Even showcase concert emcee Blanca Araceli Soto got cheers when she suggested the Warnors Theater be the official home for the festival’s performances.

“It would be awesome,” said Terán. “Fresno is centralized, and people can come from the Bay area, from L.A. That’s a very, very good idea.”

Teran was fielding calls from festival participants – there were 1,400, including dancers, maestros, staff, liaisons and volunteers – in the weeks leading to the festival.

“I kind of look at it as the glass being half full instead of half empty,” he said. “I’ve got positive thoughts about next year.”

No other city has hosted the festival more times than Fresno: 17 times, including the last 10. San José hosted it last in 2008-10.

Orígenes Dance Conservatory Level 2 performed dances from Sinaloa during the Danzantes Unidos Festival showcase at the Warnors Theatre on March 23, 2024.
Orígenes Dance Conservatory Level 2 performed dances from Sinaloa during the Danzantes Unidos Festival showcase at the Warnors Theatre on March 23, 2024.

Fresno leaders should roll out the red carpet to keep the festival in Fresno from now on. The festival, according to organizers, has an economic impact of about $460,000 in the area. The Fresno school district gets about $20,000 for expenses, and McLane’s fledgling folkloric dance group about $5,000.

But dollars alone is not the main reason. Let’s make Fresno the Mexican folkloric festival of the world. Let’s not let it get away, like the Miss California Pageant which moved to Visalia. Or like the Viva El Mariachi! Festival which simply disappeared.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and the council should go beyond delivering a proclamation.

Fresno may no longer have a Triple A baseball team, but it can have a major league dance festival.

Vendors, dancers happy with Fresno venue

David de la Cruz Murrillo was selling jewelry and apparel from Oaxaca for the second time at the festival’s marketplace.

“It’s a formidable festival. It’s a youth thing,” said the Oxnard entrepreneur in Spanish. “It’s good for the culture, and it’s important that they awaken a positive activity in life.”

Grupo Folklórico Sueños y Esperanzas from Whittier performed dances from Jalisco during the Danzantes Unidos Festival showcase at the Warnors Theatre on March 23, 2024.
Grupo Folklórico Sueños y Esperanzas from Whittier performed dances from Jalisco during the Danzantes Unidos Festival showcase at the Warnors Theatre on March 23, 2024.

De la Cruz Murrillo loves the Fresno location. “I applaud Fresno for hosting this event,” he said.

Sophia Barbosa, a middle school student in Escalon, performed dances from Jalisco with Ballet Folklórico Viva México on Saturday night. This is her first time at the festival.

“I like it a lot because it feels closer to home,” said the 14-year-old dancer.

Victoria García, 35, traveled from Indianapolis with 10 members, including her daughter, of Ballet Folklórico Mosaicos. This was the group’s second visit to the Fresno festival.

Vaqueros de Laton High performed dances from Jalisco at the México Magico show at Roosevelt High School on March 24, 2024. The event was organized by Danza Alianza and Teocalli Cultural Academy.
Vaqueros de Laton High performed dances from Jalisco at the México Magico show at Roosevelt High School on March 24, 2024. The event was organized by Danza Alianza and Teocalli Cultural Academy.

“We don’t see this kind of thing as much on the East Coast,” said García. “It’s worth the trip. We enjoy it every year.”

Meanwhile, about 2.5 miles south on Cedar Avenue, Danza Alianza held its México Magico folkloric shows at Roosevelt High School. This year’s showcase of performances by middle school, high school and college/community groups was held on Sunday instead of Saturday..

The switch in date was the result of the director’s Saturday celebration of his first granddaughter. A Sunday schedule kept it from conflicting directly with the other festival.

Had these two festivals not been held, here is what you would have missed.

▪ Grupo Sueño y Esperanza from Whittier got the only standing ovation (they received three!) after performing dances from Jalisco. The group is made of special needs dancers.

▪ Ensamble Folklórico Colibrí threw gender roles out the window with its LGBTQ+ friendly rendition of dances from Oaxaca.

▪ Laton High School freshman Blake Alford aptly demonstrated that you don’t have to be Mexican (he does speak español!) with his boot-stomping moves during the school’s performance of Jalisco.

Those are three solid reasons to make Fresno the mecca of Mexican folklórico dancing.

Juan Esparza Loera is editor of Vida en el Valle.