Tadamara Performance - part II

When we last saw the Tadamara Indians, the little boy had fixed himself firmly to his mother while she was performing. At last Daddy, with an indulgent and rather sheepish smile, stepped in. The little boy was willing to let go of Momma for Daddy. However Daddy was also performing; he was the MC, singer, and dancer. Daddy announced while holding his son.

Daddy danced while holding his son.

All things considered Daddy was pretty proud of his son.

The Tadamara have a rising star in their tribe.

Tadamara Performance

The Tadamara are an Indian Tribe from south of the border. (My Indian acquaintances prefer "Indian" to "Native American".) This group is not commercial; this was their very first public performance. They were doing just great when.....

The littlest member of the group got lonely. He escaped from his sitters on the sidelines and latched on to Mama.

Momma tried her best to be professional.

Ignoring the little boy did not help, he only got a firmer grip. He would not be coaxed away. Why was Momma singing and not paying attention to him?

To be continued.

Little Dancer

I shared pictures the official performers from last weeks Fiesta. This little girl was an added bonus. She knew every step, every nuance of the dances preformed. I think she deserves her own full skirted colorful dress. Maybe in a few years I will see her preform as part of the troupe.

Fiesta

This is Page, she is the owner of Life Ways Health Shoppe. She started the business four years ago; she has a good head for business and the ability to really listen to her customers. The shop offers natural foods, supplements, bulk food, and fresh vegetables from local gardens in season. Also there is a masseuse, make up, and hand woven goods from Carol Ward, a local weaver. Page has even opened a small coffee shop attached to the shop. Well done Page.

Saturday was the forth anniversary of the stores opening. In true southwestern tradition she threw a fiesta.

The Folklorico Dance troupe from the local High School was featured. (You will be seeing more of them later.)

There were all sorts of vendors; this lady made lovely jewelry. She also dazzled me with her color block dress. She look elegant and cool.

Of course there had to be a western singer.

There was a good turn out of local residents. Some because we just never saw a fiesta we didn't like, and most because we wanted to celebrate the fruits of Page's hard work.

Cinco de Mayo 2007 Dancers

At the 2007 Cinco de Mayo there were Folklorio Dancers,

social dancers,

and Tadamara Indian dancers.

All so very different, all enjoying themselves, and offering such contrast. I do hope they will bring back the festival next year.

Cinco de Mayo - Part II

At the 2006 Cinco de Mayo Festival I took picture after picture. The mixed media piece shown was taken from one of those pictures. The heads, limbs, and shoes are colored pencil on fabric, the bodies are appliqued, the entire piece is machine embroidered and machine quilted. It is called show time. The Mother in the picture was reassuring the daughter that she would be "right over there watching".

Cinco de Mayo

It is the 5Th of May, or Cinco de Mayo; a day not noticed by people living in Mexico, but celebrated in New Mexico. In 2006 Deming held its first festival; a small local affair, held in the parking lot of the bank. It was great fun with Anglos and Hispanics in attendance.

The powers that be in town saw $$$ and each year since the festival became bigger, and more professional; entertainment was less and less local, the number of vendors increased, a parade was developed, and fewer of the locals attended.

This year the festival seems to have imploded; there have been no preparations that I can see, there are no announcements in the local paper. I feel a sense of loss.