Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl Performs Tonight at Aurora's Paramount Theatre

It's become a tradition in the Fox Valley to start the holidays with Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl.

Join this always-anticipated, annual celebration of the heritage and majesty of Mexico when Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl performs at the beautiful Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, tonight, November 14 at 8 p.m.

Watch the stage come to life with dazzling costumes, infectious music and energetic traditional folklore dance numbers found in the villages of Mexico's different regions. Tickets are $28 and $25. Tickets for children 12 and under are $20 and $18.

For tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call the Paramount box office, (630) 896-6666, or visit the box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or two hours prior to evening performances.

Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, based in Aurora, is a Mexican folk dance troupe that has been delighting audiences for over 30 years throughout Illinois and as far as Mexico with colorful costumes, wonderful music and electrifying, beautiful choreography.

The troupe is led by director and choreographer Juan Manuel "Nery" Cruz, from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. According to Nery, the group was originally formed to meet a need - the need to preserve the most important aspects of the Mexican culture, the folkloric dance. Every year, Nery travels to San Luis, Mexico to polish his skills by taking lessons to learn new steps and dances from the country's different regions. Throughout the year, he teaches his students these steps and dances that debut during the group's annual fall performance at the Paramount.

The meaning of "Quetzalcoatl," originating from the ancient Mexican and northern Central American civilizations, literally means Quetzal-bird snake or serpent with feathers of Quetzal (which implies something divine or precious) in Nahuatl language. Quetzalcoatl was the god of wisdom of the ancient primitive Mexicans, a god of the air or a sun-god and a benefactor of their race who instructed them in the use of agriculture and metals.
For more about Ballet Folklorico Quezalcoatl, visit bfquetzalcoatl.org.