Hispanic Heritage Month at UHCL: Ballet Folklórico performs at Pearland campus

Photo-UHCL-Pearland-BalletFolklorico

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland hosted a live Multicultural Education and Counseling Through the Arts (MECA) Ballet Folklórico performance on Oct. 13.

MECA is a multi-age Houston-based organization that aims to encourage the development of under-served members of the community through the arts and other services. Ballet Folklórico is a traditional Mexican art form that features a mixture of classical ballet and folk dancing elements. 

With vibrant costumes, captivating choreography, and 10 wardrobe changes, the performers demonstrated how their dance is used to express the life and spirit of people through its movement and music. Director of MECA Ballet Folklórico Julio Lopez explained the significance of the wardrobe.

“Each outfit has a religious significance and represents the state/region through the different colors, the number of ribbons in their hair, or their dresses,” he said. “Some of the jewels and other small pendants are just accessories to add sparkle and color.”

 “It’s important to have events that are representative of the student body,” she said. “Given that UHCL is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, I think it was important to engage through this cultural celebration and share it with our communities,” said UHCL Pearland Program Coordinator Corina Morales.

Over 40% of UHCL’s student body identifies as Hispanic. The Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion co-sponsored the event, which drew a crowd of over 120 people from the UHCL and Pearland communities.