Grupo Folklórico Mexcaltitán Keeps Culture and Dance Alive

Grupo Folklórico Mexcaltitán is celebrating the culture of Mexico from Inglewood. Photo by Alyssa De La Cruz.

The tradition of dancing remains in the culture of the Hispanic community. From the elegant walk of traditional dresses to the infectious rhythms of mariachi music, the Grupo Folklorico Mexcaltitán transports the audience to a world where history and art intertwine seamlessly.

Eleazar Rodarte, 62, a native of Nayarit, Mexico, has been dancing since his youth. He is now a dance instructor and co-founder of non-profit organization, Grupo Folklórico Mexcaltitán of Inglewood, California. 

Rodarte has deepened the passion and dedication that fuels this remarkable group, “shedding light on how to keep the spirit of Mexican folklore alive in a rapidly changing world.”

The group was founded in 1996 and its objective has been to spread the culture, history and traditions of Mexico through the use of traditional music and dance.

Grupo Folkòrico Mexcaltitán has participated in various presentations and on different stages within California. Some performances have been at festivals, conventions, private parties and local social events. 

Although Rodarte organized this group, his greatest support for this adventure was his late mother, Belén Vázquez Sánchez.

“She supported me and believed that I could do something with our culture,” Rodarte said.

But Rodarte has also hit an obstacle.

“There is no help within our community, especially in the world of folklore,” Rodarte said.

Graciela De La Cruz, 57, originally from Jalostotitlán, Mexico, has been the coordinator and treasurer of the event since early 2016.

De La Cruz decided to take this position since her nieces were in the group and needed help organizing. De La Cruz can't dance because she has polio, but that doesn't stop her from helping expand the group.

“Not being able to dance but still help from an outside perspective makes me love this group even more. Of course, I can't dance, but I know how Eleazar loves this group and it makes me happy to be part of this,” said De La Cruz.

There are a couple of events to plan, but she loves how the group gets others to recognize Mexican culture. De La Cruz also shared how although Rodante is trying to expand this group and the beauty of it, she still doesn't like it to be seen as a “gift to Mexican culture.”

“He is simply trying to make others see the beauty of Mexican culture, he is not trying to steal the show from his real artists because they are the ones who allow him to show the culture to others,” De La Cruz said.

María de Lourdes Jiménez, 60, originally from Jalostotitlán, Mexico, has danced with Rodarte since the group's inception in 1996.

“Eleazar teaches with joy and love, he loves what he does, he takes it as a job,” said Jiménez. “I love this group because the teacher allows us to think about what region we can dance in for an event. By deciding the region where we are going to dance, we also receive our own personalized dress, if we want.”

For Jiménez, her favorite memory is the group's annual dance event.

“At least once a year or maybe twice a year, our teacher choreographs our biggest event. This is my favorite event because it brings everyone together as a family and everyone invites their family or friends to come watch us dance. It is a whole week of experience but months of practice,” Jiménez said.

Rodarte extended a warm invitation to everyone, young and young at heart, to join them on the dance floor and embrace the vibrant traditions of Mexican folklore.

Whether you are an experienced dancer or taking your first steps, their group invites you to share the beauty of our culture through the power of dance.

“I am very happy to have had this group for 20 years and to be able to show the incredible choreography that I grew up learning. My greatest wish is to take this group on a tour of Mexico to show that our tradition lives in other countries, not just in Mexico,” Rodarte said.