Fiesta Nacional de la Danza

The Fiesta Nacional de la Danza (English: National Danza Festival), also known as Semana de la Danza Puertorriqueña (English: Puerto Rican Danza Week),[2] is a cultural celebration that takes place every year in Ponce, Puerto Rico.[3] The festival centers around the danza, a musical genre native from the city of Ponce and oftentimes called "Puerto Rico's classical music"[4] with rhythm, tune, and cadence that are similar to the waltz.[5] The celebration lasts a week and takes place in mid-May. It is sponsored by the Ponce Municipal Government and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.

Fiesta Nacional de la Danza
Promotional poster for the 2015 Fiesta Nacional de la Danza
Official nameFiesta Nacional de la Danza
Observed byPuerto Ricans in Ponce, Puerto Rico
TypeLocal, cultural, musical
SignificanceThe city's native musical genre
CelebrationsMusic, dancing, crafts, food
ObservancesYearly
DateMid-May
2019 date13-19 May[1]
FrequencyAnnual
First time1972
Related toDanza

History

The island-wide celebration has been sponsored by the Government of Puerto Rico since at least 1972,[6] when it was codified into Law (Act 20 of April 26, 1972) that the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture was to sponsor the celebration of the Puerto Rican Danza Week every year during the birthday of Juan Morel Campos.[7] However, in Ponce that celebration had already been taking place since the nineteenth century.[8]

Venue and characteristics

Chamber orchestras perform under the night lights of Plaza Las Delicias, while neatly dressed and groomed couples dance to the tune of its "high society" musical form.[9] Other venues for the week-long event are at Concha Acústica and Parque Urbano Dora Colón Clavell.

Events

The dance concerts celebrate the stately music of string quartets "and the 19th century ballroom dance that was the hallmark of island sophistication during the days when elegance and manners were more important" than today.[10] The event includes conferences, danzas and a concert by string quartets, a parade, a danza competition, and demonstrations by senior couples who dress up as they used to in the 19th century. The main event is a danza competition where participants dance to the tune of the Ponce Municipal Band.[11]

The celebration honors the birthday of Juan Morel Campos, "the most prolific danza composer."[12]

Typical program

Events, venues and times are typically as follows:[13]

Opening ceremony typically including a flower offering at the statue of Juan Morel Campos and an opening talk about Juan Morel Campos and other famed Puerto Rican danza musicians. This ceremony is usually accompanied by a musical presentation by students from the Escuela Libre de Música and the Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos

Dialogue about the Puerto Rican danza with members of the Banda Municipal de Ponce
A speech by one of the directors of the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico commemorating the birthday of Juan Morel Campos. Often includes musical demonstrations by music instructors from music schools in Puerto Rico
  • Thursday evening at the Teatro La Perla Annex
Danza music performance by a musical company group.
Show demonstrating the musical achievements by students at Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos
Outdoors concert by students from Escuela Libre de Música and danza groups.
  • Sunday afternoon at Teatro La Perla
Danza performance competition.

See also

References
  1. Curiosidades de Juan Morel Campos en la Semana de la Danza: La Semana de la Danza Puertorriqueña se celebra este año del 13 al 19 de mayo. El evento coincide con el natalicio del venerado músico ponceño. Melina Aguilar Colón. La Perla del Sur. Year 36. Issue 1850. 15 to 21 May 2019. pp. 10-11. Accessed 15 May 2019.
  2. Regresa a Ponce la Semana de la Danza. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  3. Fiesta Nacional de la Danza, Ponce. Lonely Planet. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  4. Ponce and the South Coast: Festivals and Events. Lonely Planet. "Puerto Rico." Page 23. 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  5. Celebrations in Ponce. Tina Cohen and Ron Bernthal. Off the Beaten Path:Puerto Rico, a Guide to Unique Places. Fifth Edition: 2007. Page 90. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  6. UPR Cayey y Ponce celebran Semana de la Danza Puertorriqueña. Universia. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  7. UPR Cayey y Ponce celebran Semana de la Danza Puertorriqueña. Universia. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  8. Regresa a Ponce la Semana de la Danza. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  9. Ponce and the South Coast: Festivals and Events. Lonely Planet. "Puerto Rico." Page 190. 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  10. Ponce and the South Coast: Festivals and Events. Lonely Planet. "Puerto Rico." Page 279. 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  11. Semana de la Danza. Travel & Sports: Puerto Rico. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  12. Regresa a Ponce la Semana de la Danza. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  13. Regresa a Ponce la Semana de la Danza. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2014.

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