{"id":35520,"date":"2018-10-24T13:10:47","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T19:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=35520"},"modified":"2018-10-26T07:38:21","modified_gmt":"2018-10-26T13:38:21","slug":"qa-with-jose-alonso-rosales-of-ballet-folklorico-de-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=35520","title":{"rendered":"Q&A with Jos\u00e9 Alonso Rosales of Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico de M\u00e9xico"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Jos\u00e9<\/a><\/p>\n

The acclaimed Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico de M\u00e9xico’s performance is Nov. 1 at the Ent Center for the Arts, and it stands to be one of the UCCS Artist Series’ most popular shows this season. As you experience the evening’s vibrant colors, music, and stories, keep an eye out for Denver native Jos\u00e9 Alonso Rosales. The UCCS Artist Series recently chatted with Jos\u00e9 about his lifelong love of dance, experience performing with the company, and passion for Mexican culture.<\/p>\n

Buy tickets for the performance through the UCCS Presents Box Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Artist Series:<\/strong> Hometown?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> I am originally from Denver, Colorado.<\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> Home now?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> Currently, I am living in Mexico City. I have been living there now for 4 years.<\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> What\u2019s on your playlist these days (Spotify, etc)?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> Juan Gabriel, Rocio D\u00farcal, Joan Sebastian, Euegenia Leon, Chavela Vargas, Classical M\u00e9xican Music, and one can never leave out a good playlist of oldies or 90\u2019s R&B.<\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> Favorite place you\u2019ve been on tour?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> My first tour was in London, which was an unforgettable experience. I had the honor of dancing at the London Coliseum at the West End in the center of the theater district.<\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> We heard that your mom bought over 50 tickets to the show \u2013 that\u2019s amazing! Has your family always been supportive of your dancing?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> I am so fortunate that my family has always supported me and my passion for dance. When I found out I was going to be dancing in Colorado, I was excited to be able to perform for all my friends and family. This is my gift to them. I thank my parents constantly because they sacrificed so much to help me accomplish my dream of being a professional Folkl\u00f3rico dancer with the most prestigious dance company in M\u00e9xico. My sister saw me perform for the first time since I started dancing professionally in San Antonio, Texas. After the show she hugged me tight and told me how proud she was that I never stopped reaching for the stars, and that she was happy to see me living my dream. I want to be a role model for my family and show them that with discipline, determination, and dedication, dreams really do come true.<\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> How long have you been dancing? What\/who inspired you to start?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> I started dancing at the age of 10 and have been dancing now for 15 years. As a little boy, I would see pictures of my mother dancing M\u00e9xican Folkl\u00f3rico and I would always tell her that I wanted to dance like her. I could never find my place in sports or clubs in school and my mother saw that I was having a hard time finding myself. She enrolled me in my first dance class and that was all it took. I remember that all I wanted to do was dance\u2014I would dance in the grocery store while my mom picked up dinner and on hardwood floors throughout the house. Any chance I had I would be stomping my feet away. I guess that is why they call me \u201cHappy Feet.\u201d I am so fortunate that I have parents who supported my love for the arts.<\/p>\n

\"Jos\u00e9<\/a><\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico is legendary \u2013 What is most exciting about performing with the company?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> The most exciting thing about dancing with the company is dancing in the Palace of Fine Arts in M\u00e9xico City. The feeling of adrenaline that moves through my body when I hear \u201cThird call\u201d to the final bow is one of a kind. More importantly, it is exciting to be considered an ambassador of culture representing the United States in M\u00e9xico\u2014I am the only U.S. born male dancer but am fortunate enough to represent M\u00e9xico throughout the world as the son of a M\u00e9xican immigrant father. The amount of cities we visit, beautiful theaters we dance in, and the unique cultures we are introduced to makes this way of life even more exciting.<\/p>\n

AS:<\/strong> What would you like the audience to take away from seeing this performance?
\nJos\u00e9:<\/strong> I would like the audience to see M\u00e9xico for what it really is. Culture, tradition and art. M\u00e9xico has been given a bad name throughout the years and it is my mission as a M\u00e9xican Folkl\u00f3rico dancer, performing in-front of many U.S. audiences, to help shift the negative image of M\u00e9xico into a positive one. The show is filled with color, music, dance, and history. What the people will see on stage is the real M\u00e9xico, not the M\u00e9xico portrayed on the news or social media. Connecting with my M\u00e9xican culture is huge, as this was taken away from me in many different circumstances back home. I get to live and experience what my ancestors did while living my dream. Knowing how important this was and is to me, I would like to share this feeling with people who have M\u00e9xican roots to help them connect with their culture and gain agency over their true identities. We should not be ashamed of who we are. We should be proud to say we are Mexican.<\/p>\n