TAMIU Ballet Folklórico Performs at Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) Ballet Folklórico, led by instructor Nayeli López, had the rare opportunity of performing in the renowned Chicago Thanksgiving Parade in November.
The group of 12 dancers participated in both a live broadcast performance on Pluto TV and a full parade march, showcasing traditional Mexican folkloric dance to a national audience. The performance was the culmination of months of preparation.
After submitting an audition video and materials to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Association, the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico was selected in August for two prestigious opportunities: performing live on Pluto TV and marching in the parade.
López said she feels proud of her students for having performed gracefully.
"I feel very honored to have performed with my students at the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade," said López, "Us Laredoans are not used to this weather, especially not performing in 20-degree weather, but they were very successful and they danced with so much grace and humbleness."
"I try my best to provide opportunities for them to grow as dancers, students, and humans. With all of these opportunities, I remind them to stay humble and to be thankful because they are a once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel very content and proud of all the students. We made TAMIU proud and Laredo proud," she continued.
The dancers rehearsed extensively throughout the fall semester, balancing multiple performances while learning unique dances for the event, López said. For the Pluto TV performance, the group showcased "Jalisco: Son de la Negra," a traditional dance featuring intricate footwork and vibrant skirt movements, while dressed in colorful Jalisco costumes. During the parade, they performed three dances from Jalisco: "Viva México," "Ay Mi Jalisco," and "Son de la Negra."
Despite the freezing 20-degree temperatures, the dancers demonstrated remarkable resilience, wearing layers beneath their costumes to stay warm. TAMIU alum Alexis Pina, a mariachi musician and current master's student at the University of Chicago, assisted by pulling the sound cart during the parade, providing music for the dancers.
"Our dance was composed of extensive skirt work and footwork," López said, "Our dancers wore beautiful, colorful Jalisco dresses with a lot of ribbon and colorful headpiece braids."
"Our male dancers wore their traditional charro outfits and sombreros. Because the weather was 20 degrees, we wore long sleeve thermal shirts and leggings underneath our uniform to protect ourselves from the cold,” she said.
Student Ana Rodríguez, a veteran dancer with TAMIU Ballet Folklórico, reflected on the experience.
"From waking up early to watch the Thanksgiving Parade to one day being part of it and performing in it...," she said, "I'm forever grateful for opportunities like this."
Every fall semester, the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico takes students on an out-of-town performance trip. Previous performance trips have included Disneyland Paris in 2023, Disneyland California in 2022 and 2019, and Disneyworld Florida in 2021 and 2018.
The nearly 40-member group is now looking forward to future opportunities, including an invitation to perform in Switzerland in June 2025 for the Encuentro Folklórico, organized by the Asociación de Artistas Mexicanos en Suiza.
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