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A stage for Mexican folklore

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By CHERYL KUCK

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 10, 2009

PLANT CITY - Bruton Memorial Library, along with libraries across the country, recently celebrated an annual day devoted to children, their languages and culture.

The April 25 bilingual celebration, known as El dia de Los ninos/El dia de los libros or children's day/book day, encouraged reading and literacy and promoted the libraries and their programs.

Bruton Memorial children's librarian Carol Lane uses the celebration to get children and their parents excited about spending time at the library.

Avidly participating in all children's activities during the April 25 program, Lane made sure there was never a dull moment as she introduced entertainers and provided opportunities for the children in the audience to participate.

A folkloric troupe of Plant City High School dancers who are members of the St. Clement Catholic Church youth group performed a series of traditional Mexican dances for a toe-tapping library audience of diverse nationalities.

The dancers all have a Hispanic background and learned about Mexican dances and culture from Olga Garza, a volunteer who also makes the festive costumes worn by her students. She has been a volunteer folklore teacher since 1985 at St. Clement and at Cork Elementary School since 1996.

Cork Elementary School students, also under the direction of Garza, performed a funny number titled "Los Viejtos," or dance of the old men. Each dancer wore costumes typical of rural Mexico with masks depicting faces of old men. They danced bent over and used walking sticks.

"I consider my work as community outreach helping close the gap between nationalities through cultural understanding. I am so grateful for the continued support and sponsorship of St. Clement Catholic Church, who purchases the materials, maintains the costumes and has provided this opportunity for young people's horizons to expand," Garza said.

Patty Sanchez from Plant City's Planteen Recreation Center led the audience in rousing Latin-inspired Zumba fitness routines. After the energetic workout, the Redlands Christian Migrant Association provided refreshments to the thirsty crowd, as well as children's recorded bilingual songs.

Children also were treated to a book giveaway, face-painting, balloon animals and a tissue flower craft lesson through the event sponsorship of the Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library.

Cheryl Kuck can be reached at wkuck@tampabay.rr.com.

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