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Parks and Recreation celebrates 75 years of dance;
honors dance program founder Berta Almaguer
75 Years of Dance Presentation
Vida Nuestra Video Presentation honoring Berta Almaguer
The Parks and Recreation Department proudly boasts the longest running municipal dance program in the country. It is celebrating that 75-year-tradition with a year-long series of events that highlight the contributions of its first teacher, Berta Almaguer, and all the teachers and students who follow in her footsteps.
The first event in the series is BRAVO Hispanico, a dance performance at the Arneson River Theatre in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and former dance instructor Berta Almaguer. The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. It features Latin and contemporary dance and music performed by Parks and Recreation students and the department’s pre-professional dance troupes. General Admission is $5. The Parks and Recreation Department’s youth music ensemble, Take Note, will perform at no charge to the public at 10 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The department’s dance program was begun by Almaguer in 1934. She taught dance to thousands of San Antonio children during her tenure, which ended when she retired in 1970. Berta Almaguer Biography and photos
Other events celebrating the 75th anniversary of dance in 2009 are as follows:
October 6, 2009
 • FREE House Music Dance Party – Dance enthusiasts are invited to a first of its kind National Night Out event. The Parks and Recreation Department and the San Antonio Dance Umbrella are collaborating to offer this free event to be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio, 138 S. Josephine Tobin Dr. House Music will be provided by Mi Casa Su Casa.
October 11, 2009
• Our Part of Town Talent Show Finals, 2 p.m., Carver Cultural Center. Free. Performance will include the premiere of two contemporary choreographies in collaboration between Alamotion and Fandango dance troupes. It will also include an audio-visual show that will educate the audience on the 75th Anniversary of Dance.
November 1, 2009
•  Dia de los Muertos. “Vida Nuestra: Altar and Exhibit Show” Altar and Performances in honor and memory of Berta Almaguer. Co-hosted by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 1300 Guadalupe Street. 3 p.m. Free. Multi-dimensional: video documentary with interviews with family, students, and friends of Berta. Video on stage with photos from the 1930, 40s, 60, 70s. Past students who are now teachers will bring in their students on a rotating basis to perform.
November 18, 2009
W.I.P. at Jumpstart - Works in Progress. Dance/performance lab
unveiling new work by Fandango, followed by a facilitated
post-performance talk-back. $5 General Admission.
November 28 & 29, 2009
• Holly Daze on the River. Saturday and Sunday performances at the Arneson River Theatre, 118 La Villita St., featuring troupes and dance students. 2:30 p.m. dance performances on Nov. 28 and 29. $5 General Admission. Tickets available at the theatre box office one hour before show times. Take Note will offer a free musical performance at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.
December 5, 2009
ARTS in Our PARKS
Featuring dance, other performances, and holiday arts market sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs, Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free.
December 12 and 19, 2009
• Holly Daze Performances in Market Square featuring traditional seasonal songs brought to life by Alamotion, Fandango dance troupes, Take Note Youth Band, and Parks and Recreation Department participants, 514 W. Commerce. 11 a.m.
January 15, 16 & 17, 2010
En La Sombra de Sus Pasos (In the Shadow of Her Footsteps). In collaboration with Jumpstart Theatre, 108 Blue Star, 8 p.m. on Jan. 15 & 16, 3 p.m. on Jan. 17. $15. Guest artists include Sonya Jimenez, Fandango and
Alamotion, performing choreography by Carmen "La Chiqui" Linares and Timo Lozano. Second
part will be performed with live Flamenco Music.
February 12, 2010
Black History Month events hosted by SA Dance Umbrella at Radius Center, 106 Auditorium Circle, 7 p.m.
March 13, 2010
Spring Fling with The Wild Things. Saturday afternoon of youth dance performances at Sunken Garden theatre, Brackenridge Park, 3700 N. St. Mary's St. Free.
More events will follow in 2010. Stay tuned for details!
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For more information email Special Programs. For TTY assistance, call 210-207-3039.
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