Your Diocese

JOLIET—In the shadow of instant messaging, cell phones and virtual online communities comes a deliberate move to revisit the traditions of Mexico with a set of vibrant dances that celebrate everything from the new dawn to the new moon. The troupe—El Grupo Folklorico Monte Carmelo—is not merely nostalgically charged; it’s motivated as well to jar vulnerable youth away from potential negative influences and toward building a healthy respect for their cultural roots.

The concept, born 15 years ago in the narthex of Joliet’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, is combined to balance spiritual rituals with the ordinary benchmarks of life—courtship, metaphoric commentary and sacred depictions that celebrate life and nature. To mark the group’s coming of age—its “quinceanera” year—director Anneliese Arenas-Bowman on June 2 staged an extra-special two-hour-long presentation of dancing performed by adults and children alike in the auditorium at Joliet Central High School. In total, 35 dances representing 11 states and each of Mexico’s distinct regions were performed before a crowd of festive fans.

The homespun charm by a “family” of 30 dancers ranging in age from 2 to 45 has successfully spurred appreciation for wisdom, respect of ancient traditions and virtuous behavior, said dance instructor Agustin Contreras. For the past four years, his genuine smile outlined by a thick, black moustache, has inspired men, women and children to kick up their heels in honor of their shared tradition. While “98 percent” of the group’s members trace their allegiance to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, it’s open to the public. So far, the dancers and instructors are all linked by way of a Latino heritage.

“My focus is to teach the guys born here (in the United States) about their culture. It’s about learning to be a gentleman and how to dance with girls,” Contreras said minutes after a rambunctious, four-hour rehearsal concluded with the final tweaking of interpretative steps.

At 42, Arenas-Bowman recalled the early days of the troupe’s existence. “I was a member then too.” Apart from the fancy footwork, the costumes and lure of the stage, she holds dear to the mission statement for the church-based group. “The reason was to give kids an opportunity to stay off the streets. It’s a good pastime for them and it keeps them away from negative influences, said Arenas-Bowman, a lifelong dancer who chose to embrace dancing for its multiple benefits, including exercise, discipline and interpersonal skills-building rather than seeking the limelight as a performer. Her attitude about education and leadership is further evidenced by her career choice. She is an elementary school teacher in Chicago.

Considering the 15-hour days the director regularly puts in for two to three months before the annual show, Arenas-Bowman said, “You have to love what you’re doing. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t do it. It’s for the love of the art.”

Hours before the show, the halls of JCHS are teeming with excitement—the chatter of private conversations and the laughter of pumped up children churn like an ethnic wind. Seated in a classroom- turned-dressing room, Arenas-Bowman is a vision reminiscent of the calm before the storm. A veteran member of the dance troupe, this Peruvian-born immigrant to the United States in 1973, Arenas-Bowman insists the purpose behind the extravaganza is more than a dance recital for the community. It emphasizes the Spanish language. All four instructors as well as the group’s director speak Spanish to keep the language from fading into the abyss of mainstream America. “Many of the kids are bilingual, but this way they can stay in contact with their parents. A lot (of the parents) don’t speak English. We encourage them to speak Spanish.”

For Raul Cervantes, 39, the longest standing member of the group, it’s the fitness aspect of dancing and practicing for two hours twice a week that attracts him. Having joined El Grupo Folklorico Monte Carmelo in 1993, Cervantes’ involvement complements an attitude that promotes teaching by way of example. Overall, he said, society profits by the model of chivalry and manners as demonstrated by the men in the troupe. Discipline, pride, self-respect, commitment and dedication are the values Cervantes endorses. The dark-haired lithe performer straightened up from his seat atop a table during a break in rehearsal. His concern for the idea of molding teenagers with examples of acceptable behavior was made clear with a combination of sharp, distinct hand gestures used to emphasize the need for pride in appearance and in their ethnic heritage. “As far as the training, you always have to be there ready to practice. You have to have discipline and respect. You have to be on time, clean and with boots polished.”

A husky soccer player at Morris Community High School where he recently transferred after moving from Joliet, Omar Guzman, 15, fends off the light-hearted criticism from friends and boasts of his acquired talent on the dance floor. “I’ve been doing it for about a year. It’s fun.”

And while his inspiration for joining the group wasn’t motivated solely by a desire to learn the culture—his 16-year-old girlfriend, Ale Arias of JCHS, drew him into the troupe—he admittedly has discovered an interest in Aztec dances. For Arias, the membership in the dance group remains enticing because “I like the big puffy dresses. I like the movement.”

The music and the bulk of costumes come directly from Mexico. They’re purchased with the $10 monthly fee paid by each of the dancers, added Corina Bowman, the director’s mother.

As for the specific dances selected for this year’s show, Arenas-Bowman said that considered together, they explore a variety of folk styles, including lively Latino polkas “because they’re very energetic.” From the state of Jalisco, comes the charros, a cowboy interpretive dance featuring couples decked in their finest garb. Men in sombreros and women in colorful dresses swirled around each other with demonstrated finesse.

As each new season approaches, the group adapts to the characteristics and talent within. Some years, the group has kept its performance schedule local, and other years they travel. The group has performed at the Rialto Theater, Sacred Heart Parish and the Cathedral of St. Raymond, all in Joliet, the Taste of Chicago Brechita-44, Fiesta del Sol and Viva Chicago to name a few. All proceeds from the June 2 performance were earmarked for the parish building improvement fund. An audience estimated at 200-plus attended the show. Adults paid $15 each and children under 10 were admitted for free.

Carmelite Father Raymond Corkery, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, got the show going by offering a prayer for the dancers and the audience. From his seat in the auditorium, he said, “I think it’s something they need to be proud of.” His statement of affirmation led to a comment by Deacon Enrique Varela: “I think the religious experience goes hand in hand with culture. To be Catholic is part of the culture.”