The Folkloric Ballet of Antioquia, el Ballet Folklorico de Antioquia – was founded in Medellin (1991) by Albeiro Roland Penagos. Since then it has grown to be one of the foremost professional dance troupes in Colombia. They have performed in over 20 countries worldwide including the Arab Emirates, China, Cuba, France, Japan, Russia, Spain and the United States. They represented Colombia in the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. They have won numerous dance awards and in 2014 their musical group, Tierradentro, won the International Prize – Cubadisco.
In 2011, to celebrate their 20th anniversary, they presented a gala performance at the Metropolitan Theatre in Medellin to packed houses. If you follow this link you can see vignettes from this spectacular production. YouTube.
The Corporation, Ballet Folklorico de Antioquia is a cultural non-profit organization that promotes the practice and study of the art of dance. They recreate the many, stylistically varied Colombian folk dances and traditions along with their rhythms for national and international audiences. The BFDA currently operates out of two locations in Medellin, one in El Prado and the other in El Poblado.
As well as mounting professional choreographed productions, the Ballet operates a dance school where they teach not only the folkloric dances, but ballet and contemporary styles such as Hip-Hop. In the past two months they have presented Hip-Hop and Ballet performances with their students at a quality not seen from a dance school by this writer.
As a not for profit organization, they also act charitable donations. The use of this money can be designated by the donor and can be directed to outreach programmes that the organization offers in the poorer sectors of the community.
The El Poblado location has a small theatre setting and the Ballet regularly organizes productions on this stage. In December of 2014, they will be presenting Vive Medellin en Navidad. The shows run December 4,5,6, 11,12,13, 18 and 19 at 8:00 p.m. The address is Carrera 42 #8-61. Telephone 444-85 50 / 254 – 26 00
Don’t miss it. It will be delightful !
