Amber Sykes, editor

Tel: (619) 482-6360 e-mail: arts@theswcsun.com

ARTS
props, hair and make up styles. Eye make up for women is a key signature. Jalisco style is one of the most recognizable, displayed through a black dress with multicolored ruffles horizontally lined up by the skirt and sleeves. Vibrant green, orange, pink, blue and gold surround the eyes. Members said dancing ballet folklorico makes them feel more connected with their Mexican ancestry. Many of the second generation takes its culture for granted, said the clubs ICC representative Vanessa Garcia. And so much history and tradition is lost and dancing and listening to traditional music makes me able to communicate better with my parents and grandparents who lived in Mexico. Diversity flourishes in Folklor Jaguar and is not exclusive to Mexicans, Latinos or even dancers. Krystell Andrade said prior to joining the club she lacked rhythm. I had no experience whatsoever, she confessed. I was just like I wanna join. Vice President Miriam Hernandez said the most important thing to bring to the club is an open mind, a positive attitude and a willingness to work with others. If you just wanna join and learn, you can just come, said costume director Thomas Gonzalez. If you wanna start performing with everybody you gotta be dedicated. What we actually learn a lot is how to not mix business with pleasure. Ballet folklorico combines the great Mexican arts of music, dance and fashion, and Folklor Jaguar brings them all together in a borderlands context that celebrates the convergence of two great cultures. More important to the dedicated dancers, its just plain fun.

Aug. 17- Oct. 1, 2011 Vol. 55, Iss. 1

Folklorico: New club celebrates great dance art form of Mexico

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applies in Chihuahua. Chihuahuas exclusively known for partnerwork, said dancer Erik Berumen. Chihuahua is to folklorico what salsa is to Latin dance. It is completely based off partnerwork. The dance is only as good as the connection the two dancers have on stage. All throughout a Chihuahuan dance, a couples hands are intertwined, supporting each other through the twirling, bending and stomping of the feet. Chihuahua ballet, like other regions, features unique costumes,

RECIPE FOR DANCE Folklor Jaguar represents the different regions of Mexico through dance.

Ericka GonzalEz/staff

Choir: Low budget, high expectations for SWC choirs

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of responsibility on the individual, he said. It is really about coming together, making sure theyre making time allowances, practicing their music and choreography, getting the right clothes. Upcoming performances: November 10, SWCs Veterans Day Observance, Mayan Hall December 2, December Nights, Balboa Park December 11, Holiday Concert, Mayan Hall December 21, luncheon performance, Ronald McDonald House of San Diego

Designer: Talented entrepreneur plans to expand business

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his custom t-shirt patterns and pictures. It took me one year to create my first shirt, Chief Buddha, in 2009, he said. I decided just to get one box of shirts made and give them to my friends and family, but then everyone wanted one. Baltezar said he sent shirts to relatives and buddies throughout Southern California and Tijuana. Soon friends of those friends were asking where they could get their hands on one. After creating his website cleanclothing09.com, he decided to move on to social networking. I made a page on Facebook for Clean, he said. People kept adding the page and asking if they could buy a shirt. Samantha Tellez, 20, English major, said she was one of those people. I first saw his label on campus at SWC (last year), she said. A student walked past me with Joshs Buddha shirt on and I knew I wanted one. Shipping problems are making growth hard, but Baltezar said he opened a PayPal account for the label. I personally deliver the shirts, he laughed. I dont having shipping on the website, so I have to right now. Even though he had difficulty putting together a website where people can shop and place orders, consumers have been very supportive, he said. I work at the Brigantine and sometimes I tell the customers about my designs, he said. One time I had a former Marine ask me if I had a website. He left the restaurant, checked out my stuff and came back to give me some thoughts on what I was working on. His newfound success got a push from his friends, Baltezar said, one of whom encouraged him to put the design on more than just paper. I bought a shirt for him to put the Buddha design on, said Breanna Legg, 20. I just kept asking him to do it until he finally did. Alyssa Tucker, 20, said she has known Baltezar for seven years and realized he was exceptionally artistic since they were kids. Hes always been creative, she said. There is something behind every design which is the cool part. Tucker said she has been active in supporting his label, even owns one of his rose t-shirts. Besides his captivating designs, the style of it does too, she said. Its very modern. Baltezar said the support he received is more than he expected. Its something that I really like to do, so why not make a living out of it? he said. I want people to like my brand and I want it to be successful, but Im not impatient for it.