Socal Entertainment Group
- Covina, CA
- Mariachi Band
- 35 Verified Bookings
Mayra S. said “We booked Social Entertainment Group for our wedding and we’re so happy we did. Our guests enjoyed the performance. We enjoyed the performance. It was…”
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Papalotl is a bicultural dance troupe performing since 2003. Papalotl means butterfly in Aztec. We joyfully share the Authentic Folkloric Dance and Culture from Mexico! Our performances offer a memorable experience that includes authentic dance, music, and interactive moments.
Artistic Director Kenya Márquez received a Lifetime Achievement Award by World Arts Foundation and has been recognized as a Culture Keeper by Oregon Folklife Network. Ballet Papalotl won Best Native Costumed Group at the Grand Floral Parade for 8 years.
We perform an average of 32 performances a year. Venues range from Portland Art Museum, Moda Center Commons, Pioneer Square to schools, libraries, and backyards.
I invited Kenya and Ballet Papalotl to perform as part of the BODY/LANGUAGE multicultural festival that I produced in Portland in 2023, and WOW! The multi-generational group exceeded every expectation. Kenya was enthusiastic and easy to work with. Her group crafted a performance that was a highlight of the festival.
The gorgeously colorful, authentic folkloric costumes that changed with every number are stunning, and the music and choreography illustrated cultural traditions from all over Mexico, enhanced by Kenya's charming storytelling between numbers. The young children danced so professionally and radiated obvious joy, and even invited the audience to join in the fun on some numbers. Ballet Papalotl is a cultural treasure! I couldn't recommend them more highly.
Response from Mexican Folklorico Dance & Cultural perf:
Wow! It is soooo awesome that you were able to notice all that we are and share! 😍👌 It was an honor to be part of your multicultural Festival. I also want to thank your warm welcoming of my artists. 🦋 !Hasta pronto!
I am the Executive Director of Dance Wire - Portland's Dance Hub - and have been working with Kenya since 2019 when she first became a Dance Ambassador with our organization. We have invited her to perform solo as well as with her dance troupe on numerous occasions and have been delighted every time. She is authentic, professional, and brings the party with her as her performances fill any space with color, music, and sparkling energy. I highly recommend hiring Kenya!
Price Range: $500
Gig Length: 10 - 90 minutes
Languages: English, French, Spanish
All of our performances are filled with joy, celebration, and authenticity.
Our costumes are made in Mexico and bring a vibrant energy to the performance. The music is traditional from different regions of Mexico.
We personalize our performances to each specific event. A sampling of dances we offer are:
Among others:
The bottle dance
Bruja: candle on the head dance
Native dances
Interactive dances
We would love to discuss the details of your event to make it memorable!
Marquez was born in Mexico City to a family of artists. Her mother was a professional folklorico dancer with Mexico’s national fine arts school, the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, and her father was a traditional musician. When Marquez and her sisters were very young, their mother taught them traditional folk dances.
Marquez danced throughout her childhood and eventually went onto study classical ballet. She returned to folk dance years later, when she went to Paris, France for graduate school. There she became the student of a professional Mexican ballet folklorico dancer who was with the Mexican Consulate.
In 2003, Marquez settled in Portland, where she founded Mexican folklorico dance ensemble Ballet Papalotl; papalotl is the Mayan word for butterfly. Under Dr. Kenya Marquez’s direction, the group, whose members dress in the costume traditional to each dance or state, performs an array of authentic Mexican folk dances.
The troupe’s repertoire includes the well-known Jalisco dance, which features brightly colored dresses and quick, whiplash motions, as well as more obscure dances like the Guerrero or Nayarit, which derive from Mexico’s indigenous cultures. The Nuevo Leon dance integrates European polka traditions into folklorico, while the Veracruz dance includes consumes representative of the Afro-Caribbean influence in Mexican culture.
According to Marquez, “Through learning Mexican folk dance, we not only remember the history of the Mexican people but we also carry on the values and traditions of our ancestors.” Ballet Papalotl’s missions is to instill in every dancer the discipline, confidence, and cultural pride that is essential for their development, to maintain authentic Mexican ballet folklorico standards of excellence, and to enrich Portland through intercultural exchange. The group performs for private and public events, including the annual Rose Festival, where it has earned several Junior Festival awards for Best Costumes and Dance Troupe.
Mayra S. said “We booked Social Entertainment Group for our wedding and we’re so happy we did. Our guests enjoyed the performance. We enjoyed the performance. It was…”
Adair O. said “We used JVCarter Productions to surprise a friend on their birthday and it couldn’t have gone better! Our friend was so excited and the mariachi band…”
Deepti said “Haydee was an absolute professional. The process was made so easy from the moment I reached out . She was right on time for my event and mingled with…”
Jennifer M. said “I text them at 11pm almost midnight California time because I am in califronia for work which that was1:00 am eastern time, I thought I had no chance…”