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Alisal Center for the Fine Arts
Mexican Son Jarocho and Fandango Music and Dance
The Alisal Center for the Fine Arts (ACFA) has served the East Salinas community for over 30 years. A long-standing tradition of baile folklorico (traditional Mexican dance) and rondalla (stringed instruments) instruction and performance has been an integral component of ACFA’s programming. ACFA provides culturally relevant curriculum for the community in several disciplines, including Aztec dance, rondalla music, baile folklorico, and African and Afro-Latino drumming.
In 2021, a grant from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grant Program will support ACFA’s Son Jarocho Y Fandango Program. A lively traditional art form from the southern Mexican state of Veracruz, son jarocho is played on an ensemble of traditional string instruments, including the guitar-type instrument known as the jarana. The music is accompanied by rhythmic footwork/dancing known as zapateado. Son jarocho is often practiced and celebrated in a participatory party known as a fandango. ACFA’s program will offer weekly virtual workshops to teach the son jarocho musical genre and foster the community practice of fandangos in East Salinas.
Gallery
ACFA student learning the Guitarra de Son (a.k.a. Requinto)
ACFA students attending weekly classes
Students and staff participating in the Los Angeles Encuentro de Jaraneros