Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
See Grupo Atlántico perform at the Festival of Nations, August 26 and 27 in Tower Grove Park.
- I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Dance has been an integral part of life since childhood. I was trained in traditional or folk-style Caribbean dances. Observing and learning from family members and elders is the customary way to learn.
- When I decided to start Grupo Atlántico [in 1995], it was warmly embraced by both Hispanic and non-Hispanic dancers. We focus primarily on tri-ethnic dances—that is, dances which are the intimate result of the mixing of three races: African, Native indigenous, and Spanish cultures.
- [Among other dances,] we perform cumbias, bullerengues, gaitas, tamboras, fandangos, sambas, bombas, yonnas, merengues, and salsas.
- We own more than 200 costumes… I am responsible for 98 percent of them. Each dance is presented with its own style of skirt, which is usually wide and has lots of flounces, lace, appliqués, glitter, and other light-attracting effects. When I go home, I visit fabric and accessories stores in search of that just-perfect trim, flowers, and other effects.
- I learned how to sew and make patterns early in my childhood and practiced those skills with my dolls in Colombia. After arriving in St. Louis, I earned a couple of certificates as a costume designer and polished my sewing skills, tailoring, drapery, and pattern-making techniques.
- At Festival of Nations, people really enjoy getting close to the performers, feeling the vibe and body heat as we move and their hearts pumping as our drummers enhance the melodious Latin music.
- I love to see children’s faces as they move freely to a cumbia or mapalé. They enjoy learning a bit of the stories behind each dance.
- We all come together at the festival to show who we are, pay tribute to our heritage, and share with others arts and crafts, food and drinks, dances, music, and international gifts—but we also come to express tolerance and respect for others and ourselves.
