Dear Readers,

Young people often ask me, “What do you wish you could do if you were no longer paralyzed?” My answer: I would walk on fall leaves to smell autumn and feel the crunch under my feet. I would sit along a bubbling creek in summer and wiggle my toes in the cool tingling water. Finally, I would dance. Readers, what is something that you have not done in years?

When you talk about dancing, people have strong reactions. Some love it. Some say, “I can’t dance.” Some are mesmerized by the flow of legs, arms and bodies swirling.  Others are intimidated.  I always loved the feeling of moving gracefully to music – my mind mesmerized with joy; everything comes together: the music, the flow and happiness. Dancer, choreographer, and actor Mikhail Baryshnikov tries to explain that moment; “Dance is an ephemeral, a fleeting art. To describe this momentum, every movement on stage, in words is virtually impossible.” Dancing awakens emotions. Popular singer Katherine Jenkins – known for her operatic and musical performances – says, “When I dance, I forget everything else and just feel completely happy.”

 

Similar words were spoken by Myriam Portz. She too said it is difficult to put into words. “It’s like we are elevated when we dance,” she said.  Now, you may not recognize Myriam’s name, but for those of you who live in and around Longmont, you have probably seen her. Myriam is the choreographer of Bailes de Mi Terra. The translation from Spanish to English is “Dances from My Homeland”. This is the Longmont Senior Center’s Latina dance troupe. What gives you that elevated feeling of happiness?

The idea for the dance troupe sparked in 2004, when Longmont Senior Center’s Senior Services Manager, Michele Waite, traveled to Cuidad Guzman, Mexico, one of Longmont’s sister cities. While visiting there, Michele saw a dance troupe perform.  She came home and mentioned the dancing to fellow-employee, Veronica Garcia. The two began to talk about the possibility of having a dance troupe of seniors here in Longmont. Veronica is one of two of the Center’s Resource Specialists and part of her job’s focus is Latino outreach. After brainstorming with some of the Latino customers, the idea grew into fruition with what we now know as the award-winning dance troupe – Bailes de Mi Terra.

 

 

Choreographer for the past 15 years, Myriam, now 75 years old, did not dance in her younger years. The first time she was a part of a dance troupe was the program she helped start at the Longmont Senior Center. She was one of the first dancers. She was joined by Sister Rosa (a local nun in Longmont) who is now 86 years old and still performing. Sister Rosa is the oldest dancer in the group. Initially, Myriam had a teacher, and then within a few months, took over the choreography and management of the group. She said she enjoys it, and it’s a form of exercise she can share with others. “It’s an opportunity to dance with my friends and to enjoy the life we have left,” she said. What activity do you hope to do in your remaining years?

  

Presently, there are over 15 dancers in the troupe – that is open to both male and females. The current dancers range from age 63 to 86. The troupe also includes three ingenieros (musical/technical assistants) who run the music, create musical recordings and manage photography – anything that will support the dancers throughout their shows. Dancers have the opportunity to learn and perform traditional Latino dances from Mexico, as well as Central and South America.

 I would be remiss if I did not draw attention to the beautiful costumes worn during performances. The dresses have to be custom-made. The dancers wear traditional costumes and the seamstresses over the years have been dancers of the troupe.  At present, the troupe’s seamstress is Maria de los Angeles Alejandre, age 78, born in Guadalajara, Mexico. The costumes, created with bright bold colors and lots of material and ruffles, create the allusion of magic as the dancers twirl and spin.

Veronica said that the dancers have given many reasons why dancing is important to them. Camaraderie and exercise lead the list. Moreover, the seniors provide a valuable service to the community and take pride in representing the Senior Center. “They work so hard to be the best they can be,” Veronica said. “Myriam does a fantastic job to hold the group together.” Veronica told me two stories that capture the heart of this group’s value.

One of the former dancers had dementia (a disease that results in cognitive decline). Before she passed away, this woman began to forget many things in her life, a common symptom of this disease. By contrast, when she attended the dance practices, she never forgot the dance steps – an activity she had participated in during her childhood.

Secondly, one of the dancers in the troupe placed a lot of value on the camaraderie of the group and its importance in her life. So much so, that when she died, she asked to be buried in one of the beautiful dresses. The costumes typically belong to the Senior Center, yet the group together paid for this woman’s dress so that her family could have it for her burial.

Myriam told me that she must put a lot of thought into the choreography of the dances. She considers the speed the dancer can move, the disabilities the dancer has, and the dancers’ cognitive abilities (because it is easy to forget the next steps). She said she has to know her dancers well, so that she can understand what steps work best for each one.  

Dancers do not have to be from Mexico to be a part of Bailes de Mi Terra. Over the 15 years of the dance troupe’s existence, there have been members from Honduras, Columbia, Cambodia, Kenya, Cuba, China, Philippines, Vietnam, as well as Mexico and the United States. It is a lovely way for many cultures to come together to create something of beauty and value for all of us. Dance is one of those things that “transcends language”, Veronica said.

 

Several times, I have watched the dancers’ performances, as well as practice sessions. Shows have included songs such as El Jarabe Michoacano and The Viennese Waltz. The flow of the dancers, the colors and the site to the eyes creates a beautiful depiction. Readers, I always feel like Cinderella at the ball as I listen to the music. Myriam, a former accountant, mother of two and grandmother to four grandchildren, said that one of her favorite dances is the Redoblando – a dance executed with a ring of flowers and ribbons. She said, “When I dance I feel happy that I am making something for our community and for the dancers – it’s a feeling of happiness and love.”

 

It is not uncommon for the dancers to perform close to 30 events in a year. They are a popular ensemble during Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Dia de los Muertos event and the Longmont Art Walk. Additionally, they perform at festivals, schools for children, nursing homes and assisted living centers.  “This is the only dance troupe in the state that is comprised of older adults,” said Veronica. They were also invited to and performed at Western Colorado University’s Multicultural event. Bailes de Mi Terra also participated in the All American City Awards held in Denver in 2018. They performed for the judges as part of the City of Longmont presentation. Longmont was one of the 2018 All American City Winners.

Before there was Dancing with the Stars, dance teacher and choreographer, Merce Cunningham, for more than 50 years, was a cutting-edge leader in American modern dance. He said, ““You have to love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive.” This blog was difficult to write because I could not find the right words that literally “dance” off the page as I tried to describe the beauty of the dance troupe, Bailes de Mi Terra. These pictures and description do not do justice to these dedicated seniors. I hope, dear Readers, that you get an opportunity to one day watch their dance. They transcend time and cultures. They bring us joy.

At this point in the blog, I always mention comments from readers. It’s embarrassing to do so this time because there was an overwhelming response from readers telling me how much they enjoy the blog and congratulations. This is not hubris; this is me wanting to respond to all the kind comments, such as Ann, from Harrisburg – “Congratulations on your one year Happy Anniversary!!  I enjoy your writing so much.  It always inspires me.” And Jane, from the East Coast said – talking about the people you meet in the blog – “I feel as though I know them personally! What wonderful stories and the love and warmth that you have for these folks and your job shine through your writings.” To Hena, Kevin, Shauna, Lydia, Dennis, Maria, Mark, Sharron, Jane….the list is long….for all the numerous kind words – Thank you!

I don’t want to forget Kelly Killinger either. His story was an inspiration. L.B. from Longmont said that even though he personally knew Kelly, the blog gave him details he had not known. Maria, from Pennsylvania, said, “I love Kelly. He is the nicest man. He is so loving and kind to everyone. I really admire him.”

The blog’s design is to give us inspiration and tell us about interesting people. I want to end this month with a tease for the November blog. It is a line from the poem “Always Somewhere” by David Rothman. He writes, “A mountain and the snow no one can own…”

  

Until next month, peace be at your side, 

Debbie Noel

We have several ways to interact with Debbie!

• Email her at DroppingInWithDebbie@gmail.com

• Register at the blog site (very bottom of the page) to have your comments viewed online

• Send your letters to:

Debbie Noel
C/o Longmont Senior Center
910 Longs Peak Avenue
Longmont, Colorado 80501

 

For more information about being a part of the Bailes de Mi Tierra dancers call Monica at 303-774-4452 or Veronica at 303-651-8716. The dance troupe meets weekly each Monday and Friday for practice. You can also leave a message at the Longmont Senior Center for Julie Burrows who is the planner/scheduler of the troupe.

Members of Bailes de Mi Tierra are:  Myriam Portz and teacher/choreographer, Sokhan “Cho” Kang, Faustina “Tina” Longoria, Maria Alejandre and Costumer Designer, Doan “Chinita” Tran, Sister Rosa Suazo, Marta Galaviz, Janet Lu, Isidra “Issy” Acevedo, Christina Trujillo, Ester Mosqueda, Maria “Cha Cha” de los Angeles Ontiveros Miramontes and Dance Assistant, JiBo “Jenny” Zhuo, Maria Gallardo, Guadalupe “Lupe” Chavez and Isidra “Issy” Acevedo. Pictures not shown for health reasons: Pat Britt. The Engineers/Music coordinators/photographers are:  Arthur Alejandre, Arlan Myers and John Loza

A special thank you goes to the Bailes de Mi Tierra engineers for providing some of the pictures used in this month’s blog. I take full responsibility for the blurry pics. I was trying to capture the movement of the dance with my amateur photography skills.