We have a new tradition here at Smith Public Library in Wylie which is to celebrate Día de los ninos with dance! For the last 2 years we have had the pleasure of welcoming Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico into our library and they put on a show right in the middle of the children’s area. They come lay down a special floor and we pack in around 100 people to watch. The audience not only learns about the various dances in each region of Mexico, but the different yells and “gritos” that go with them. After the show, kids of all ages can go up and learn a simple dance taught by Mary and Alex Palencia, the directors of the troupe. Imagine going to your local library and experiencing the culture, music and colorful spectacle of traditional Mexican dancing! It’s truly joyful and we look forward to welcoming them again this year.

Thanks to our guest blogger Ofilia Barrera, Youth Services Librarian at the Smith Public Library in Wylie Texas.