Noticias
Elisa Carrillo illuminated Los Angeles Hall with her ballet
January 12, 2018The legendary Salon Los Angeles, the most traditional dance place in Mexico City was transformed on Thursday night January 11 into a huge ballet rehearsal hall with the initiative Baila por México, promoted by the First Ballerina of the Staatsballet of Berlin, Elisa Carrillo.
The goal: to raise funds for housing reconstruction affected by the earthquake of September 19 in the State of Mexico.
The donations will be added to those of the Elisa Carrillo Cabrera Foundation, which already has funds obtained mainly in Europe and the United States and totaling more than $15,000 dollars, which in a first stage have allowed the reconstruction of 10 homes in Ozumba, Mexico State.
"It's an event I'm very excited about. My foundation is very young, with only five years of existence and we don't have many resources, we are going to give the money as soon as it comes and I know it´s going to work" said the dancer, Ambassador of Culture of Mexico, in a brief meeting with the media before beginning the activities.
It was not yet 6 p.m. and while we were listening to Cuban songs, tights, leotards and slippers began to invade the dance floor that on other occasions receives lovers of danzón, chachachá, swing and mambo.
Professional dancers, amateurs and people who like to dance participated in a warm-up class of classical ballet taught by Elisa Carrillo herself.
Around a hundred participants of all ages, from children to senior citizens, young people in wheelchairs or with disabilities, were distributed along the 1,300 meters of wooden board, in front of various portable ballet barres.
“This is an opportunity to dance in a different place (...) We'll make a simple class that professional dancers do as a work routine. For people who are in the audience they will be able to realize that ballet is a wonderful thing that has to do with posture and elegance”, said Elisa Carrillo from the stage where orchestras and bands are usually placed.
The Mexican dancer was accompanied by her husband and first dancer from the Staatsballet in Berlin, Mikhail Kaniskin, who supervised the students along with a group of dancers from different companies that served as support.
Elisa Carrillo also corrected some postures, positions and turns. The important thing is to smile and have fun”, she said. In the middle of the class and with a heavy breathing she admitted with laughter: "I'm getting tired too, this is the first time I've spoken while warming up".
The class lasted a little over an hour to culminate with a series of four movements that seek to be representative of the Baila por Mexico initiative: the fist in the air, the shape of a heart made with hands, the flag salutation and a gesture that simulates a hug.
“When you are far away and face difficult times, strength comes from your blood and roots. I never forget my country. We don't have to give up. I hope this campaign can continue and we can continue to support it”.
The event continued with live music performed by Ramón Cedillo and his Big Band, which included songs from different genres such as salsa, cumbia, danzón and chachachá, as well as a mambo class.
The dancer signed autographs for girls and young people who, with her photo in hand, approached her and made a long line. Among the attendees was Mexican composer Arturo Márquez.
Mexico,Distrito Federal
