Gema

About Gema

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So far Gema has created 3 blog entries.
2 Jun, 2009

The Revolutionary Roots of Mexican Folk Dance

2009-06-02T13:03:31-07:00By |Categories: CounterPULSE, Gema Sandoval, Performing Diaspora|Tags: |

Mexican folk dance has been a part of California since the the late 18th century. In those days the itinerant dance "maestro" went from Rancho to Rancho teaching the latest European dance fads to a multigeneretional clientele. When the Californios held their "meriendas" and "bailes", this was the perfect opportunity for every elegible bachelor and young señorita to display their skills in dancing the cuadrilla, polka, waltz, and schotis. In those days it was fashionable, even necessary, for the "gentlemen

19 Aug, 2009

Towards Chicano Dance

2009-08-19T13:33:23-07:00By |Categories: CounterPULSE, Gema Sandoval, Images, Performing Diaspora|Tags: |

When you choreograph folk dance and work to transfer movement from its natural habitat to the stage the considerations are: : Is the representation accurate? Am I being true to the spirit of the dance? Have I accurately reflected the integrity and idiosyncracy of the music, dance and people of that area? As important as these questions are, they are also the very elements that discourage creative evolutions from that dance. Additionally, I have always been keenly aware that ,

29 Oct, 2009

Floricanto’s Journey at CounterPULSE

2009-10-29T13:33:08-07:00By |Categories: CounterPULSE, Gema Sandoval, Performing Diaspora|

Gema Sandoval is a Performing Diaspora Resident Artist at CountePULSE. See her and Danza Floricanto/USA at weekend 1 of Performing Diaspora, November 12-15. Buy tickets now! Floricanto's Journey at CounterPULSE Although I have worked as a dance artist and choreographer for over 30 years, I am still a neophyte to many aspects of the creative process. And while I understand that this is due in part to my folk dance background (limited flexing of the creative muscles), the road I

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