These San Antonio grandmas show cultural pride and 'stay young' by dancing folklórico

A dozen Latina grandmothers ages 73 to 86 formed a folklórico dance group in San Antonio known as Las Abuelitas De Oro, with a goal of sharing their cultural heritage with newer generations.

Transcript

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

In San Antonio, Texas, a group of Latina grandmothers in their 70s and 80s have formed a dance troupe known as Las Abuelitas de Oro. The name is inspired by the popular sitcom, "The Golden Girls." Texas Public Radio's Ivanna Bass Caldera tells the story of how these grandmothers reignited their love for dance by forming a folklorico group that performs regional Mexican dances.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI VARGAS DE TECALITLAN'S "LA NEGRA")

IVANNA BASS CALDERA, BYLINE: On a bright Sunday morning at a city park in Texas, Las Abuelitas de Oro elegantly grab their long, colorful dresses and sway them as they dance to a set of traditional Mexican songs in front of a few dozen people.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI VARGAS DE TECALITLAN SONG, "LA NEGRA")

CALDERA: Dolores de Leon Savage is 85 years old. She's been dancing since she was three. For decades, she owned dance studios. Now, as a retired dance teacher, she helps older Latinas stay in touch with their Hispanic culture.

DOLORES DE LEON SAVAGE: When we perform, we just go out there and, like, we're teenagers (laughter), even though we're in our 80s. Because, you know - yeah - we do have pains and aches and everything but, you know, when we're dancing, everything is gone.

(SOUNDBITE OF RHYTHMIC CLAPPING)

CALDERA: Las Abuelitas became a formal folklorico group just a year ago, and they offer free performances year-round throughout San Antonio.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI VARGAS DE TECALITLAN SONG, "GUADALAJARA")

CALDERA: Seventy-three-year-old Michelle McDonald was born in Cuba and raised in Texas. Her journey with dancing began at 7, when she learned ballet, jazz and flamenco. She stopped dancing after her career as a dental hygienist, marriage and raising a son took priority. After retirement, she took on folklorico.

MICHELLE MCDONALD: I always like it when they call out the age. They say we've got a group here from 73 to 86, and you can hear the gasps in the audience. I love that.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI MEXICO DE PEPE VILLA'S "LOS CHIAPANECAS")

CALDERA: Sandra Rodriguez stopped dancing after high school. She worked in banking, married and raised two children. Now, at 73, she says folklorico brings her joy and helps her stay healthy.

SANDRA RODRIGUEZ: It helps with our coordination, with our balance, with our memory, you know, because we have to remember our steps, what's next. So it's all very good for our health.

CALDERA: The group practices at least three hours every week. Part of their mission is to pass down their culture to newer generations by teaching folklorico to an elementary dance group known as Los Rayitos de Sol, or little sunbeams.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: (Speaking Spanish).

(APPLAUSE)

CALDERA: These students and the Abuelitas perform at the San Antonio Park to the songs "Guadalajara" and "Jesusita En Chihuahua" while the sun highlights the dancers vibrant Jalisco ribbon dresses.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI AMERICA DE ALFREDO SERNA'S "LA RASPA")

CALDERA: Rodriguez, who goes by Sandy, says being a part of the group has helped these women find a purpose post-retirement.

(CROSSTALK)

RODRIGUEZ: Working with the children has been just fantastic. They're beautiful, and they're so eager to learn, you know, in the dancing. They love to dance. And then, you know, we're showing them our culture.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI VARGAS DE TECALITLAN SONG, "GUADALAJARA")

CALDERA: As Las Abuelitas are refreshing their dancing set and rehearsing to perform during Las Posadas, a Catholic tradition in Latin America commemorating Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.

(SOUNDBITE OF MARIACHI VARGAS DE TECALITLAN SONG, "GUADALAJARA")

CALDERA: For NPR News, I'm Ivanna Bass Caldera in San Antonio.

UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting in Spanish).

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.