Performances

This is where the "creative" dances began. In 1996 Pedro travled to Mexico City in search of vestuario (outfits) with little knowledge of where to begin. In a twist of fate he meet a folklorico dancer who led him to a place that offered a huge variety of "trajes tipicos", or the typical outfits. Excited, Pedro purchased 10 different trajes, each representing a different state in Mexico. Once he returned to Dallas, the question was "how do we use these outfits outside of a bunch of duets". Fate came again in the form of a song mix entitled "Popurri de las Ferias". The music is a mix of 5 typical songs from different parts of Mexico. Pedro decided on a large scale choreography to showcase all the styles of Mexico, bringing them all together in the final part of the mix, "Viva Mexico".

First staged by Pedro in 1995, this popurri (mixture) of sones huastecos was originally used by Alegre to represent the state of Tamaulipas. In 2016, Pedro rechoreographed the piece to showcase all six states in the huasteco region. With dancers dressed and dancing in the styles of Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Queretaro, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, Homenaje a la Huasteca shows as much variety as the music.

In 1997, Angeles y Diablos became Alegre's first theatrical piece. The dances, choreographed to music from Los Lobos' album "La Pistola y El Corazon", follow four characters. When good things are happening it's because they had their guardian angels to protect them. On the other hand, when things wrong, it's usually because "the devil made me do it". These dances take you on an emotional journey.

Fun Facts:

* During break periods, Pedro would play random music. Two dancers would always waltz to a certain song whenever it came on. Jokingly they asked Pedro to find a way that would let them perform this. This started the first choreography, then the idea came for the rest.

* Angeles y Diablos was entered in a "traditional" folklorico competition and placed 3rd, which was a HUGE deal to the group.

* This has been a group favorite for years.

An ode to the Golden Age of movies in Mexico, La Epoca de Oro is performed live in black and white. Inspired by his parents love of Pedro Infante movies, Pedro recalls a movie that had people dancing the Jarabe Tapatio at a party. The image of the dance where the ladies danced "in" the brim of the sombrero made such an impression he wanted to recreate it. Using vestuario made in black, white and shades of gray fabric, gray make-up, lighting and songs by Pedro Infante, Alegre performs a live black and white movie on stage.

(actual photo/not filtered in black and white)

The Jaripeo is Mexico's version of a rodeo. Although there are events that are similar, the Jaripeo has some events that are distinct to the country. The Escaramuza's are teams of women riders who do choreographies of various formations while on horseback. Choreographed by Reeses, Jaripeo is a danced version of what the Escaramuzas present in their arenas.

In 2015, the choreography for Patria was showcased for the first time. Inspired by a dance piece he saw 20 years prior by a classical ballet, Pedro wanted to choreograph a dance to "Huapango de Moncayo" using "folklorico" footwork. Composed by Jose Pablo Moncayo, this classical music piece is based on traditional songs and is widely recognized and known throughout Mexico and the world. The choreography of Patria uses various folkloric dance styles while showcasing some of Mexico's most patriotic symbols.

The "Huapangos de JImenez" premiered as a special edition to Alegre Ballet Folklorico's 25th Anniversary in 2018. Inspired by the work of artist and folklorista Tomas Ramirez, the dances pay homage to Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. Known as the birthplace of Mexico's Independence, Dolores Hidalgo is home to the church of Father Miguel Hidalgo, where he made his famous "Grito de Dolores". The small town is also the birthplace of famed composer Jose Alfredo Jimenez, whose music is used for the choreography. Artist Tomas Ramirez used the art of talavera, that Dolores is know for producing, to create these one of a kind vestuarios (outfits). Each outfit is a different style of talavera from its history in Dolores Hidalgo.