Esperanza del Valle began as a grassroots community group in 1980, and will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary season in 2000 providing ongoing performances of the traditional dances of Mexico. They are committed to working with the master teachers of Mexican folkloric dance, maintaining authenticity in movement, style, and music of each region. They recently researched the indigenous danzas of the Huasteca region of Mexico and include these dances as well in their repertoire. They are known for their choreodramas, a blending of tradition with modern forms of expression.

In the San Jose public performances of People Like Me, Esperanza del Valle will present dances representative of the state of Nayarit, Mexico. The original choreographer, Jaime Buentello, a titled master teacher of dance in Mexico and born in Nayarit, researched the dance, music and costumes related to these three dances. It is said that the stringed influence of the music came originally from Europe and that the original Mariachi band may have had its roots in the state of Nayarit.

The dances to be presented include the following:

San Pedreño -- In the first dance, the dancers balance glasses or bottles on their heads, demonstrating their skill and precision at dancing without dropping the glass/bottle, even when "drunk".

Son del Buey -- Complex choregraphic patterns and difficult skirt movements are characteristic of this dance. The style of the skirt and its movements reflects the Spanish Flamenco style.

Los Bules -- Women dance with energetic skirt and footwork. Men perform challenging showmanship with the use of machetes or long knives, reflecting the influence of the Moors.

These three pieces were choreographed around 1976 for a dance-drama entitled Mextizol, with Los Lupeños de San José. The choreographers are Suzi Cashion and Ramón Morones.

First appeared in People Like Me 2000