Comments on: The Pulse on the Gulf

By: Katherine Wuthrich

Katherine Wuthrich — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:42:01 +0000

Danzon is very misunderstood. It is a beautiful dance and you
will only be drawn to it if you love that kind of music and
the beautiful city of Veracruz and Cuba. We have visited
Veracruz 6 times and yearn to go again. We are taking classes
in Chicago, but picked it up there. I forced my husband to
get involved in it and now he loves it. You must experience
it…but it is not for everyone. Watch it on Youtube and you
may get the bug to go to Veracruz. Also, it IS danced by
younger people…we saw many dancing there in the zocalo and
young couples were teaching their children. HA HA you
young fogies! Maybe a little patience might be good for you. We are 63 and 70 and dance every night there til
Midnight and then have a lechero at Las Portales!

By: Katie Day Good

Katie Day Good — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:24:05 +0000

Hi James – thanks for the insight. I can’t imagine how disheartening it must’ve been for this year’s danzoneros when the competition was cancelled. I’ve been told that dancers prepare for years for this event. The good news (and you might already know this) is that another national Danzon gathering, El Forum 2009 Danzones en el Puerto, is planned for August 14-16 in Veracruz.

CNIDDAC has more info here: http://www.danzon.com.mx.

If you’re headed to Veracruz, all the best to you! If my mtvU-Fulbright hadn’t ended in June, I’d be there with bells on (and a fold-up fan).

By: James Thompson

James Thompson — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:53:56 +0000

Thanks for the nice post but it was really frustrating for those who have prepared for the National Danzón Championship. It happens once a year. But because of Swine Flu it was canceled.This Danzon dance is really rich in history and really glamorous.Its really good that on every weekend people are getting the chance to dance with their partners in the central plaza of Veracruz.

By: Katie Day Good

Katie Day Good — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:50:06 +0000

glad this captures your fancy, ethan! what part of mexico will you be in? I might have useful info for you, depending on the region. feel free to track me down on facebook (far as I know I’m the only Katie Day Good out there) and we can discuss in more detail there. thanks!

By: Ethan

Ethan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:18:28 +0000

Hi Kate-

Your stories of musical culture in Mexico are fascinating. I just stumbled across this, and I’m going to have to go back and read the whole year’s worth.

That said, I’m also headed to Mexico this summer, on what I had originally intended to be language immersion. However, I’m a master’s degree student in music education (I’ve been studying school mariachi programs in the US), and it would be both useful and meaningful to spend some of my time learning one of the music traditions that make Mexico such an interesting place. Can you recommend any of the teachers or schools you’ve visited this year as a good starting place for a visitor with musical interests and some free time throughout the summer?

Keep up the great work and thanks for your help!

-Ethan