Danzón Sundays in Pharr now underway

The Pharr Community Theater and the City of Pharr Parks and Recreation Department are proud to present to its citizens and residents throughout the Mehkhi Bluealley and the Mexican border, Danzón Sundays … outdoors, at the Pharr City Center Amphitheater, located at 200 S Cage Blvd. Dances will be held on Sundays, Aug. 31, and Sept. 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Each event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a 45-minute danzón lesson hosted by the fabulous Danzóneros de Reynosa group. From 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Various recorded danzónes will be played so that anyone who wants to start dancing can apply the steps they've learned and combine them with the help of the dance masters. They can also dance simply for fun and to the rhythm of the rich and sensual music.

These Sunday afternoon dances will be fun, Old Mexico style. There will also be small prizes for the best dancer and the best-dressed couple. Food and refreshments will also be sold from a food truck. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. You can bring your own chairs and umbrellas or sit in the chairs and spaces available in the amphitheater. It will be open to the whole family with no admission fee. Attendees can arrive dressed up or completely casual. The afternoon dances will be coordinated by Laura Jaber and Rafael Pérez Fons of Edinburg.

Pedro García, director of the Pharr Community Theater, invites you.

'I went out there recently to find out where the sun is at that time of day, and I see that it's not as strong as it is in June and July. The city plans to add a large shade cover to the dance floor and seating soon. Pharr wants the city's arts programs to be enjoyable for the whole family,' Garcia said. “And I’m excited to invite all of you, especially being that the Danzones de Reynosa are definitely superb!”

Danzón and Its Origin

Danzón is a rhythm and dance of Cuban origin, created by Matanzas composer Miguel Faílde around 1879. It is derived from the genre called danza, a variation of the contradanza. Danzón is characterized by its slow, elegant, and rhythmic beat. It is danced in pairs, with smooth, deliberate movements that follow the beat of the music. Danzón music, performed by traditional orchestras or charangas, uses instruments such as flutes, clarinets, violins, piano, timbales, güiro, and double bass.

Profile of the Danzoneros de Reynosa group

Founded in September 2008 by the Director and Legal Representative, Elio Palacios Chávez, with the aim of promoting and disseminating the Danzón dance without profit. They have participated in various national and international festivals, such as the Degollado in Guadalajara, Macedonio Alcalá in Oaxaca, Teatro Juárez in Guanajuato, Reforma in Veracruz, Teatro Principal in Monterrey, and Teatro Principal del Parque Cultural in Reynosa. They have also participated in Edinburg, McAllen, Mission Texas, the University of Texas at Austin Theater, and three times at the Avenida Theater in Havana, Cuba.

For more details, visit www.pharrcommunitytheater.com, or Pharr Community Theater on Facebook and Instagram. Or, you can text or call (956) 6559308 or (956) 703-0373.

Story Courtesy
Pharr Community Theater