This is a wonderful series of stories about Mexican American sacrifices and contributions to the culture and prosperity of the United States. These are stories of the unsung people whose hard work made America great.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company “Monarcas” 🇲🇽 🇺🇸
“Company E” and “Viñedos”
Ballet folklorico
Hostos Center; Mott Haven, The Bronx
– Apr 17, Fri, 10:30am, School Presentation, $Free with rsvp
– Apr 19, Sun, 3pm, $30+, $5 students/children
“Monarcas” refers to the Monarch Butterfly whose longest annual migration is a 3,000-mile journey from Michoacán, Mexico, to Canada, and back. They travel north in multiple generations, but return south in one. It’s one of the animal world’s great migrations.
Many years ago, Mexicans used to make a similar journey to work in the north and return home to spend the holidays with their families. That is not allowed anymore, which is one reason why food prices are rising. There aren’t enough agricultural workers.
The monarch butterfly is a Mexican symbol of resilience and hope. The core theme of “Monarcas” is that our heritage traditions are a source of strength that helps us be better Americans. That is true regardless of your heritage.
Company E
“Company E” is about the first and only, all Mexican American U.S. Army unit from El Paso, Texas that served valiantly in World War II.
The real Company E of the 36th “Texas” Infantry Division of the U.S. Army’s 141st Infantry Regiment, were some of the first American troops to land in Europe during World War II. They fought in the Italian campaign and are renowned for their valor in crossing the Rapido River, north of Naples.
Their service proved the loyalty of Mexican Americans and helped lead to the integration of the American armed forces.
When these Mexican American veterans came home, some of them went to work in the California vineyards. So these two stories of resilience and achievement are interlinked.
Viñedos
“Viñedos” is about the matriarchal Mexican American families who built California’s famous wine industry. Strong families, inspired by their ancestral spirits, worked for generations in its vineyards until they became owners themselves.
The matriarchs are important because women are the guardians of the family and culture. They held the families together, kept them moving forward, and maintained the connection to their heritage traditions.
The cover image is an alebrije, a Mexican ancestral spirit that manifests as a mystical creature who provides support in times of trouble. They are sort of angels who look out for you. They are also a grand tradition in Mexican folk art. The brightly colored, winged jaguar is a popular subject.
In the story, an Alebrije appears after a fire destroys the family’s vineyard. Then monarch butterflies surround the family and inspire them to rebuild. Have you ever had a butterfly land on you? It’s feels like you have been touched by God. You never forget it.
Mexican American workers are the very foundation of California’s wine industry. By the way, California was Mexico, until we took it after gold was discovered in 1849. Mexican Americans know how to cultivate California land because it was theirs for many generations.
In 1976, California wines famously won a blind tasting against French wines, in France by top French judges. Ever since, California wines have taken their place among the world’s great wine traditions. Mexican Americans created this world-class industry. I didn’t know. Did you?
Based on True Stories
Calpulli co-founder Alberto Lopez Herrera visited the Napa and Sonoma vineyards to ground his story in real life. Several real families are the inspiration for this story.
The Robledo Family Winery was founded by Reynaldo Robledo who picked California grapes for 30 years before founding the first U.S. winery owned by a former Mexican migrant worker.
Ceja Vineyards was founded by the American children of Mexicans who came to the U.S. as part of the 1960s Bracero program for migrant workers. Amelia Ceja was the first female Mexican American winery president.
Maldonado Family Vineyards was founded by a father who worked in the vineyards for 30 years before founding the winery with his son. Maldonado wine has been served in the White House.
Mi Sueño Winery was founded by Rolando Herrera who worked as a dishwasher and cellar hand in the wineries before founding his own.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
Calpulli is an award-winning New York City community dance company that gets amateurs performing like professionals. Their work is world-class in every dimension: storytelling, staging, music, and dance. They are really something. calpullidance.org