Dance studio continues family traditions

Angelica Escamilla plays the drum while her students practice a dance at her studio in Waukesha.

The drums come first, like the beating of a racing heart. Next are flashes of color, feathers and bells. In waves of color and sound and a pulsing beat, dancers recreate ritual ceremonies of the Azteca people who danced in prayer to the deities of the sun, earth, sky and water.

Dancers are students at Escamilla Entertainment Dance Studio, a dance studio in Waukesha whose goal is to carry on Mexican traditions and culture through traditional dance.

Owners Javier and Angelica Escamilla opened the Waukesha studio on Oct. 21, but have been in the business of teaching Mexican folklore dancing since 2005. Until October, the couple had been teaching out of existing studios, but are now cultivating their own space as well as Mexican traditions.

A family tradition

Dance has been an important part of the Escamilla family for generations. In 1975, seven Escamilla brothers known as "Los Hermanos Escamilla" become the best "floreadores" (lariat or trick ropers) of Mexico City, Angelica explained. In 1978 the group became exclusive artists for the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández until 2006.

The group has been seen on a variety of TV shows including "Siempre en Domingo," "Alegrías del Medio Día!" and "En Vivo con el Sr. Ricardo Rocha," and have performed for celebrities such as George Bush Sr., Mikhail Gorbachev, Queen Beatriz of Holland, and the king of Saudi Arabia. They have performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Astro Dome in Houston, and for three months performed alongside Liberace at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Dancing is a tradition within many Mexican families, Angelica explained. She said that many parents of their students were taught traditional dances as children and would perform for their families during Mother's Day and other Mexican holidays. Signing their children up for dance classes is a way for many of these parents to pass on that tradition.

Not your average dance class

Classes are taught at beginning, intermediate, and advanced (adult) levels. Students come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and do not need to be of Mexican decent to participate. Classes are taught in both English and Spanish and feature a couple of dance styles at each skill level.

"We try to give students a little bit of everything," Angelica said. "All the kids really enjoy everything."

Mastering each of the dance styles takes time and commitment, with many students practicing for hours each day.

"Once they get that (dedication to practice) into their system in a young age, our goal is that they continue (that dedication) and replace current dancers as they retire," Angelica said.

Classes are not just lessons in how to dance, but a lesson in culture as well.

"A lot of these kids are learning about the different states through these dances," Angelica said. "This is part of their past; something their parents want to show them and cultivate (in their kids)."

Adult dancers travel throughout the state, country and world performing a variety of Mexican dances. Members have been all over, from California to Mexico, China and Europe.

Escamilla Entertainment Dance Studio made its debut performance during a parade in downtown Milwaukee, and has grown to perform at a variety of venues since. Performances have been held at festivals, showcases, competitions, demonstrations, schools and nursing homes.

Every few months, the Escamillas put on a benefit performance to either help raise money for a person in need or a charity. Angelica said the studio is now working toward providing shows to senior communities.

"We find excuses to have performances," Angelica said. "Our goal is not to only do this as a business, but also for those that are less fortunate, to still bring them a little bit of our history and culture."

Escamilla Entertainment Dance Studio want to share with people who might not otherwise be able to attend their shows.

"We give back to them as a means of entertainment and a way to give back for those who help us," Angelica said.

The studio has its own seamstress who makes the matching costumes for dancers.

The Escamillas also teach their students about living a healthy life. Snacks are not allowed in the studio and students are provided with water during class. Because of the vigorousness of the dances, some students have lost weight and get in better shape.

Dances

Danza Azteca was performed by Azteca people in pre-Columbian México to pray to the gods.

"The rites and ceremonies in the cities of Tenochtitlan and neighboring Tetzcoco, and their symbolic art and architecture gave expression to an ancient awareness of the connection between nature and humanity," Angelica explained.

The dances are performed in adoration of the sun, mother earth and to celebrate life.

Michoacán is a state of Mexico "full of traditions in food, handicrafts, music and dance," Angelica said. "Michoacán dances combine religion and pre-Colombian traditions."

Chiapas are cheerful dances with both indigenous and Spanish roots.

"The marimba, which is the most representative instrument of this state, also owes its roots to the African rhythms," Angelica said. Norte dances are joyful and energetic and gained popularity during the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

"The music and dance forms are highly influenced by Central European countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Germany, mother of the accordion sound that is now symbolic of "norteño" music," Angelica explained.

Music is performed on a harp, jarana (small guitar), and requinto (small rhythm guitar), and its dances, Sones and Jarabes, are comprised of intricate footwork with flamenco traits. Women dance in this style wearing long white dresses adorned with gold to represent the ocean and sea life.

Durango is a region of Mexico that dances the polka and schottische.

"The ability of the man to move the women, using brusque movements called "jalón" or pull gives the dance a special style and distinct rural character," Angelica said.

Sonora dance is performed by the Yauqui Indians from Sonora and Sinaloa. "The Yaqui Indians honor the deer as the center of their religious culture. The dance (The Dance of the Deer) is a symbol of their respect for the deer's endurance of spirit, as depicted through the deer's struggle against pursuing hunters," Angelica said.

Jalisco is a Mexican national symbol.

"With their rhythmic footwork, large sombrero charro, and colorful dresses, the dances from Jalisco express the characteristics of the Mexican culture and evoke the heart and soul of Mexico," Angelica said.

One such dance is "Jarabe Tapatio" also known as the "Mexican Hat Dance."

FYI

Who: Escamilla Entertainment Dance Studio

What: Mexican traditions and culture through traditional dance

Where: 834 Gaspar St., Waukesha

Information: www.escamillaentertainment.com

Phone: (414) 839-1807

What's more: Thursday night salsa dance lessons have recently been added