Mexico of Colors: Folk Dance and Drag to Discuss LGBT Rights
México de Colores is a folk dance company that revives drag to champion LGBT rights in dance.
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MEXICO CITY, Mexico. Dance has the virtue of being presented in different forms without losing its essence. Folklore, in particular, houses an array of expressive possibilities. With that premise in mind, so you never know what you'll find in this country, finally, there's the motto of "Magical Mexico."
In Mexico, some examples of folk dances include jarabe tapatío , Danza de los Viejitos , Huapango , and Polka Norteña , among others. Therefore, it seemed impossible to combine these dances with drag culture, which is more popular in the LGBT+ and nightlife scene. Drag is associated with platform heels, wigs, extravagant clothing, and makeup, mostly metallic shades.
There's a dance company that made it possible: fusing these two cultures to create "México de Colores." It's the first LGBT+ dance company that welcomes all masculinities with a passion for folkloric dance and drag. Most mainstream folkloric dance companies must meet certain requirements: from being young to having a fit physique. At " México de Colores ," none of that matters.
A journey of color and rhythms
"Are you ready? We're going to blow your mind when you see us rehearse, and even more so when you see us live in a performance," commented Kevin Hernández, the ballet instructor. The company has been around for 14 years and has more than 25 members. It currently has 20 official dancers, and every year they hold auditions to recruit new members looking to learn more about folkloric and drag dance. There are nine men and one trans woman taking workshops who are learning. The plan is to join in the future and become an official part of the first international company of its kind.
The rehearsals are surprising, and as the work progresses, it becomes even more surprising. The company typically performs approximately 50 times nationwide, and has had several international appearances. The United States, Cuba, and France hosted them, and they were recognized for their great diversity throughout the show. The company is filled with pride both for their sexual dissidence and their patriotism.
Sponsorships, on the other hand, are the responsibility of the person who hires them. Authorities at all three levels of government often ignored them when they asked for support.
Dance for all audiences
They currently rehearse at a Cultural Center located in the Del Valle neighborhood, Benito Juárez borough, thanks to a five-year agreement they've had with the mayor's office. This agreement allows them to rehearse for free. In return, they perform whenever the mayor's office requests. Previously, they rehearsed wherever they were allowed, and they used to practice most frequently in parks.
Their performances range from large theaters to village festivals, so the audiences are always diverse. This has led them to face discrimination and insecurity, due to the fact that homophobia still exists in some parts of the country. They've also faced harassment, as attendees sometimes make sexual advances toward them in a playful manner.
“Once we were in our dressing room, the performance had already ended, when there was a knock on the door. When we opened it, it was a guy with two rather flirtatious girls, who asked for photos. We were already tired and half-made up, and we didn't want anything. The guy discreetly showed us he was carrying a firearm, so we accepted. Then, that's how you don't accept,” Héctor Muruato recounted.
However, in other situations, they have been surprised. "They've applauded us to the point that even the children say they loved it and want to learn this dance. They even give us gifts, and that's priceless," says Antonio Vite, for example, bringing them great fanfare as a form of gratitude. However, Vite recalled that on one occasion, they attended a wedding and didn't know whose wedding it was until the day they arrived and realized it was with people involved in drug trafficking. He mentioned that armed men were guarding them.
Honorary functions
They have few performances a year in Mexico City; they often get more bookings in other parts of Mexico. For them, they say, it's an honor that this happens because each performance is special due to the changing songs and dances.
Another example is the company's performance for the past four years in Arcelia, Guerrero. There, during the municipal fair, they are the main attraction, both during the day with the parade—because they interact with the population—and at night with the show they put on amidst games and other entertainment. In town, people welcome them with mezcal, water, food, and lots of fun.
What's striking is that Arcelia is characterized as a region of the country where old customs are rooted and machismo prevails. Not to mention the criminal environment that has plagued Tierra Caliente.
Dance with social content
In most musical pieces, they usually wear a black shawl on their heads to simulate long, black hair. They use various makeup products and have a maximum of one hour to apply their makeup and pay tribute to the character of "La Roña"—a parody of the Mexican film diva María Félix, played by actor Dario T.
The dressing rooms are filled with women's clothing such as thongs, pink Mexican skirts, the occasional tutu, jorongos, revolutionary-style dresses, some traditional costumes from the regions of Mexico, short boots (with a heel no higher than 7 centimeters), and closed-toe shoes. There are around 15 outfits per performance and per person, as well as flags and fans in the colors of the rainbow and the transgender community. LGBT+-themed music from Lady Gaga, Dulce, Danna, Belinda, Kenia Os, and Beyoncé, among other artists, is always playing. There's also a large buffet—in a playful tone—and always on hand to check when their number is or to help others with their outfits.
Each choreography has a plot, a social reference. One of the scenes is "The Other Struggle," inspired by the character of Adelita in the revolution as a strong woman. But ultimately, the story we want to tell is about the struggle trans people face: the struggle with society, the struggle within themselves to recognize themselves, and the struggle within the trans community itself to recognize each other.
“Remember that love is for everyone.”
Another striking musical number is "May God Forgive Them," which tells the story of how the gay community is part of the faith, but often must overcome the barriers of discrimination. The piece is represented with a fabric and a banner bearing the figure of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is interpreted as rhetorical .
“México de Colores” is led by Carlos Antúnez, who has over 40 years of experience, so he knows the subject since he started in Silvia Lozano's ballet. He has also had to keep updating to incorporate and include all kinds of people who are passionate about dance.
Its artistic director, Alberto Salgado—or Beto as he's known within the company—mentioned that his main task is to give visibility and acceptance to people of sexual diversity so that heterosexual people have more empathy for this sector of society.
"And remember that love is for everyone, and do with it as you wish." This is how they close each performance, with a message of love and unity for all people.
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