Diversity of Latin Dance Spotlighted in 32nd Annual Fiesta Internacional

Esperanza Flores, 66, takes pride in the diversity of students in her dance classes.

While she teaches Spanish and Mexican dance classes for Glendora’s Community Service Department, her students represent a vast array of backgrounds. It is that diversity, she said, she hopes to capture through dance.

In an upcoming performance, her students will display the diversity of Latin dances from Central to South America.

The Esperanza Flores Ballet Folklorico Dance Group will perform its 32^nd Annual Fiesta Internacional this Sunday at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, featuring an eclectic display of traditional dance and lavish costumes.

“There are not just Hispanics interested in my classes,” said Flores who has been teaching dance in Glendora for 12 years. “Why not introduce and share that beauty of dance of each culture?”

Some of the featured dances include traditional performances from Mexico, Chile and Peru, said Flores.

Flores, who has taught Latin dance for nearly 40 years, said she enjoys sharing in the diversity of Latin dances and rhythms, including Mexican folklorico, cha cha, cumbia and merengue.

“A lot of people don’t realize that Mexican and Spanish dance are two different dances and cultures,” said Flores. “There are a lot of similarities, but they’re also different.”

Flores currently teaches Beginning, Intermediate I and Intermediate II Spanish and Mexican dance Wednesday evenings and Saturdays in Glendora.  

The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 South Mission Dr., San Gabriel CA, will host the Fiesta Internacional 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17.

Cost for tickets is $20 or for group tickets (16 or more) $18. For ticket information, call (626) 488-0761.