Xiutla Returns to the Lazaro Cardenas Square
The Folkloric Dance Group starts its winter season, opening the Municipal Cultural Calendar
Last Friday, January 8, at The Genius of Paco Studio Gallery of the Venustiano Carranza Street at Colonia Emiliano Zapata, a performance show titled Scanning the Sky took place; a show of dance and poetry, by Melissa Castillo and Ruben Cham.
The event drew a large audience that crowded the main hall at the gallery. In the crowd we spotted many personalities of the art and culture scene in Puerto Vallarta, as well as international visitors who recognize this city as a blooming art center.
Among the artists gathered that evening at the gallery, we talked briefly to Colectivo La Malagua members Ireri Topete and Fernando Sanchez, who along with Yesika Felix will be traveling soon to Denver, Colorado, to attend the opening of their show at the Museo de las Americas.
The performance was surrounded by a halo of mystery even before it started. At a certain moment guests were invited to go into the gallery’s courtyard, where the stage was set for the representation. With an electronic and world musical background, the intention to cause anticipation in the audience was reinforced.
Dancer-choreographer Melissa Castillo teaches contemporary dance at Los Mangos Library and the Cuale Cultural Center. She plays the main part in the performace, who, through dance, narrates a story of evolution, of transformation. She uses the different rooms in the gallery to perhaps symbolize different stages of a journey towards the realization of a higher purpose, until she reaches the culmination when she ascends, after tearing up the veil, towards a superior plane or level.
Ruben Cham read fragments of poetry upon determined moments; these poetic pieces were then hanged from a symbolic tree, just as if they were leaves -an intriguing metaphor.
The audience followed the performance as it unfolded along the various rooms, some could not resist curiosity and walked ahead to see the climatic moment up close, which took place in a place not easily accessible for the majority of the audience which nonetheless rewarded Ruben and Melissa’s work with a big round of applause, and had comments of praise towards the play. “I’m happy to see a contemporary piece like this” said Anne Healey, visiting from Vancouver, Canada.
Ruben Cham, in a double role as actor and person in charge of the gallery, said thank you to all on their attending.
Later, friends and guests sang “Happy Birthday” to Ruben, who happened to be celebrating his birthday on the date.