Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco

Zenón Barrón, Founder and Artistic Director, is a professional researcher of Mexican and Latin American folklore, costume and scenic design. His dance career began at the age of four as a member of the group Matlachines. Zenón has toured throughout the United States and Europe as a dance member of Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. He has formed part of other dance companies in Mexico such as Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Guadalajara, Ballet Folklórico de Jaime Bernal, and Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzalli. Zenón is also a graduate of the Instituto de Artes Escenicas in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.

Ensembles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco was founded by Zenón Barrón and Jorge Pacheco in 1992. What began as a gathering of a few dancers has now grown to three generations of dancers and over hundreds of individuals that have been touched and inspired by the artistic vision of Zenón Barrón. Ranging from high school students, and adults with little dance experience, to seasoned dance professionals, all are committed to the continuation of one of the richest manifestations of tradition and culture in México—folkloric dance.

The music and traditional dances of Veracruz date back to the colonial era, specifically 1683, and are heavily influenced by Spanish colonization and intertwined with African influence from the enslaved Africans brought through the busy port to the Americas. Incorporating the deep rooted “son jarocho” (a traditional musical style from Veracruz) and Afro-Veracruzano rhythms from the plains and Sotavento regions of Veracruz.

Artistic Director Zenón Barrón and Musical Director of Vinic-Kay: La Gente y El Canto, José Roberto Hernández, created this piece to highlight the strength of the “zapateado jarocho,” or footwork that is derived from the Spanish “seguidilla,”a Spanish dance in triple time, and African rhythms. The song is dedicated to “la mujer morena mestiza mexicana,” highlighted by the lyrics that speak to the charm, beauty and cadence of the women of Veracruz. For our film, this piece was performed in the streets of San Francisco’s Call 24 Latino Cultural District.

The women are wearing the traditional attire from the Mexican state of Veracruz, inspired by the beautiful white sea foam found along the shore. The delicate white Veracruz dresses are made from fine French organza fabric, adorned with white lace. A white silk shawl reminiscent of the “manton de Manilla, or flamenco shawl, provides the finishing touch.The men’s white outfits echo the elegance of the women’s dress.