The short trip to Guatemala in March was attended both dancers from Ailey/Fordham and JUNTOS staff members. Although only eight days, JUNTOS built upon friendships and connections started in January as well as past visits. We of course spent a few workshops in Retalhuleu, this time both teaching modern dance and taking salsa from them! We were invited to perform on their stage with them and gladly accepted! (Check out the video here). In Xela, we spent time with Nestor’s group, again both teaching and taking workshops. Our small performances in the Xela area included one in a public school in a small town called Zunil (where we’ve performed 3 years in a row), and a performance in a public hospital in Xela. Our large public performance was held in Xela’s historic Teatro Municipal where hundreds filled the seats, including both workshop communities. We finished the trip in Antigua, both performing for the public at the historic Santo Domingo as well as retruning to one of the HIV+ centers we visited in January, greeting the children with open arms and energetic movements.
photos courtesy of dancers.
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