When asked about the origins of Ritmo y Sabor, many of the groups current members simply shrugged. While some current members of the group believe the group first formed in 2005, others believe that a smaller form of the Latino dancing troupe first appeared on campus in the 1990s.
While the roots of Ritmo may be shrouded in mystery, one thing is clear: the Latino dancing troupe have truly come into their own in the past few years, hosting their first independent showcase in the Spring of 2013. With another showcase coming up on April 18th, Ritmo hopes to once more bring their Latino flare to the Georgetown stage —with a few surprises in store for audience members.
Consisting of about twenty students and practicing three times a week, Ritmo y Sabor focuses primarily on the three largest forms of Latino dance–salsa, merengue, and bachata. Yet in this year’s showcase, president Richard Jung (SFS’15) hopes to show Georgetown students that Ritmo is very much a “living organization.” Completely student-run, Jung explains that depending on the choreographer’s strengths, Ritmo’s incorporates different forms of dance in with their traditional Latino staples. This year, for example, students should look for a creative fusion between Latino and hip-hop, be it in the dance moves or the music itself. “Depending on who’s in the organization, we experiment with choosing different things,” explains Jung.
Yet what the performers of Ritmo y Sabor truly hope is that Arts Week will bring about more awareness of both the smaller dance troupes on campus and the variety of options students have to participate in the performing arts on campus.
While Ritmo has had success performing at off-campus locations, such as local high schools, small neighborhood festivals, and recently the NAIMUN conference in Bethesda, Ritmo only first received their first independent showcase last year.
The same applies to dance group Ballet Folklorico, who were founded in 1996. Another troupe on campus that focuses on Latin dance, this group only typically receives press around the Christmas season. “I feel that at Georgetown, the arts are very confined to a very niche part of the community,” explains Jung. “ The people that go to the student-run shows are in the arts themselves. Some people don’t even know a group like Ritmo y Sabor exists.”
“We have a very specific audience – but I think it’d be good for us to branch out,” explains dancer Dustin Parker (COL’16). “I just hope that Arts Week will help us bring Ritmo to the general student body.” “I just want people to be more aware. And Arts Week is certainly a good place to start.”
Gaston Hall
April 18, 7p.m.
performingarts.georgetown.edu
Photo: Jonrca
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Georgetown (BFMG) has been an established group since 1996. Latin dance is wonderful and part of the beauty of it is that it is very DIVERSE. Yes, BFMG technically performs Latin dance, but specifically focuses on traditional Mexican folk dance.
Unlike Ritmo y Sabor, BFMG has been holding independent showcases for over 15 years. In the spring of 1999, they were granted their first showcase. Then it was known then as “Fiesta Mexicana” which took place for two nights in St. Mary’s.
BFMG has not only had press around Christmas time. BFMG is a widely known and respected dance group. So much so that in May of 2012 the group was invited to perform for President Obama in the White House’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Best of luck to Ritmo y Sabor in their upcoming showcase!