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NEWS / THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
ARTS
Mexico's 'crown jewel' to perform
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico performs in San Jose, Calif., in 2003. The group will perform at the Led Center at 7:30 to 10:00. Tickets are $12 for students.
BY ALISON CUMBOW alisonc@kansan.com
This year, Mexico will celebrate its 200th year of independence and its 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Although most of the festivities will happen in Mexico, one dance company owner is committed to bringing the celebration to the United States — including a stop on campus.
The company will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Lied Center.
Salvador Lopez, director of Ballet Folklorico de México, said performing in the United States this year was especially important to his company.
"We are bringing our culture to the U.S. in our celebrating year," López said.
The Ballet Folklorico has been in production for 58 years, and López, grandson of famous Mexican dancer Amália Hernández, has been in charge of the company since 1983. Tonight, more than 50 of his dancers will show Lawrence and the University a sample of what López calls the richest country in the world in terms of music and dance culture.
Tim Van Leer, executive director of the Lied Center, said it would bring a great deal to Kansas to share different cultures, adding
that he had seen the performance multiple times.
"They know how to put on a show," he said.
Nora Burt is a senior from Chicago majoring in dance. She said she thought performances such as Ballet Folklorico were important not just for students studying dance but also for students looking to gain a more global perspective on dance.
"Ballet Folklorico is beautiful and interesting." Burt said. "Through the performance, we
get a little taste of a culture out side our own."
Michelle Hayes, associate professor of dance, said that she had seen the company perform many times. She said Ballet Folklorico is the crown jewel of Mexico's heritage.
"It goes a long way in illustrating the cultural aspect of Mexico," she said.
While Lopez and his company are showcasing their version of Mexican tradition through their show — which Lopez calls a big
BALLET FOLKLORICO DE MÉXICO DE AMALIA HERNÁNDEZ
WHERE: Lied Center
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 28,
7:30 p.m.
COST: $28 adults, $12 KU Students
Tickets are still available through The Lied Center at 785-864-2787 or at www.liedku.edu
The performance will feature many dances, including mariachi, a deer dance, a wedding dance and a carnival-inspired celebration dance from Veracruz, Mexico.
responsibility for his dancers, especially this year — the community of Lawrence can get a little taste of what it might feel like to dance and sing through Mexican culture tonight at the Lied Center.
"The U.S. is an important theater," he said. "Kansas is an important place because we don't get to go there every year."
Edited by Jesse Rangel
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Nominations for C.L.A.S.S. Awards
The CLASS award is given annually to an unclassified professional staff member in Student Success for distinguished achievements in student services, commitment to the needs of KU students, and contributions to the welfare of students at the University.
To nominate, please e-mail boco@ku.edu with
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3) Dept. / Office of nominee 4) Comments (optional)
Nominations due 5 p.m. Jan. 29. Award given at Feb. 20 basketball game.
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Student Senate has openings for replacement senators!
(2) Jr / Sr CLAS (1) Education
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Applications can be found online at studentsenate.ku.edu and in 410 KS Union
STATE OF THE UNION
ASSOCIATED PRESS
vice president Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi applaud as President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
Obama sticks with message of reform
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Declaring "I don't quit," an embattled President Barack Obama vowed in his first State of the Union address Wednesday night to make job growth his topmost priority and urged a divided Congress to boost the still-ailing economy with fresh stimulus spending. Defiant despite stinging setbacks, he said he would not abandon ambitious plans for longer-term fixes to health care, energy, education and more.
KANSAN EDITORIAL
"Change has not come fast enough," Obama said before a politician-packed House chamber and a TV audience of millions. "As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it's time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth."
Obama looked to change the conversation from how his presidency is stalling — over the messy health care debate, a limping economy and the missteps that led to Christmas Day's barely averted terrorist disaster — to how he is seizing the reins.
Television format of address is outdated in the age of YouTube. **OPINION** [5A]
ers to press forward with his prized health care overhaul, which is in severe danger in Congress, and to resist the temptation to substitute a smaller-bore solution for the far-reaching changes he wants.
A chief demand was for lawmak
"Do not walk away from reform," he implored. "Not now. Not when we are so close."
Hoping to salve growing disappointment in a key constituency, Obama said he would work with Congress "this year" to repeal the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, but did not commit to suspending the practice in the interim.
The president devoted about two-thirds of his speech to the economic worries foremost on Americans' minds, emphasizing his ideas, some new but mostly old and explained anew, for restoring job growth, taming budget deficits and changing a polarized Washington "where every day is Election Day."
LAWRENCE
'White Owl' ordered to serve probation
Jimmy Tucker, also known as White Owl, pleaded no contest to violation of a protection order and was sentenced to one year probation with community service, according to a Douglas County District Court report.
Tucker, a 63-year-old Lawrence man, was also ordered to not return to the KU campus and to have no contact with the victim.
According to Douglas County District Court records, Tucker was accused of violating a protection order, and then arrested Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, for failing to appear in court.
Records indicate Tucker had already served 78 days in jail.
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