Since its early beginnings, prominent and influential individuals have recognized this BFM talent and extended opportunities for performances in prominent venues. In 1980 the Mexican television show Siempre en Domingo recorded one of its shows at the San Francisco Cow Palace, and the producers invited the BFM to perform. The show’s host, Raul Velasco introduced the group as “….the best and most authentic Ballet Folklorico group in the United States….a Company with precision and flair.” As a result, later that year the Mexican Consulate of San Francisco named the BFM as a special emissary to represent California as part of a Cultural Exchange Program with Mexico. Over the years, recognitions such as these have fostered relationships and collaborations with Mexican Universities and dance academies that have opened research opportunities for the directors, as well as touring, performing and learning opportunities for the company’s dancers.
The BFM has gained the respect and admiration not only of Mexican authorities and artists, in the United States and abroad, but also the respect and admiration of other equally respected traditional and ethnic dance companies. Traditional and non-traditional venues have served as the stage for the BFM. The BFM has three times participated in the prestigious San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival held at the Palace of Fine Arts (1999, 2001 & 2003). Other venues include the San Francisco 49ers and the San Jose Clash.
Throughout the year the BFM performs in a variety of venues, including local schools, corporate events, festivals, sporting events, in addition to BFM’s own full-productions such as “Christmas in Mexico.” This annual production has drawn audience from throughout the state and has been in production since 1978. Its popularity has grown to the extent that cities throughout the Bay Area and Northern California have requested that the company take this production to their city.
"El Venado" from "Sonora"
REPERTOIRE
Drawing on the artistic variety of Mexico’s diverse states and regions, the BFM has developed a repertoire of over 180 dance pieces. Although many of these pieces are represented in their traditional form, others have been restaged to include diversity of artistic elements that characterize the ever-changing Mexican experience. In this way the indigenous rhythms of Tarascan Indian dances from central Mexico stand in sharp contrast to the revolutionary dances from that region. Similarly, the sensuous African movements that typify dances from the Gulf of Mexico region in the south are juxtaposed by Mexican polkas that mark the influences of eastern European ancestors in the north.
The BFM has continually strived to maintain authenticity in choreographing when presenting any new dance into the company’s repertoire.
COSTUMES
Applauded by critics not only for its artistic performances, the BFM also receives high acclaim for its splendorous costumes. Described as “excellent’, “authentic”, “beautiful”, and “unique”. Carlos Moreno Samaniego with the collaboration of his wife Angelina Moreno and son Carlos have formed a brilliant designing team. Careful thought is taken before introducing a new dance on to the stage. The same careful investigation that is taken in selecting a new dance region, its music and choreography, is taken in the design of the costumes. The beauty of the costumes therefore is the result of a careful investigation that takes place prior to its elaboration and the great care that is taken by Master Designer Angelina Moreno in the production process.
