Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular – a Festive Vacation Celebration

As an L.A. transplant from the Midwest, I typically have hassle getting totally into the Christmas spirit with out frigid temperatures and icy sidewalks. This yr, Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular gave me some further assist in the festivity division with stay music and vibrant dancing. I attended this upbeat occasion on Monday, December 22, 2025 at The Soraya. The occasion, in its tenth yr, has clearly constructed up a powerful following, because the unusually timed Monday matinee had a big viewers. The present featured Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles, with implausible Mariachi sounds from Mariachi Puebla Viejo from Tucson, Arizona, and extra musical appearances by multi-nominated Grammy and Latin Grammy vocalist Ximena Sariñana. The intro promised to move us to totally different areas of Mexico, and it completely delivered on showcasing totally different kinds and atmospheres with dancing, music, lighting, and costuming coming collectively to set every distinctive tone.

Ximena Sariñana performs together with her band – Patricio Dávila (Musical Director/Drums), Max Ulyses Romero (Guitar), Luis de los Monteros (Bass), and Lulú Bulos (Keyboard/Vocals) in The Soraya’s tenth version of “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.

As the curtain rose, there was a set piece with arched doorways and a low terracotta roof, making it really feel like we had been within the central plaza of a village. The twelve members of Mariachi Puebla Viejo stood on small steps, dressed of their conventional garb. In addition to the standard violin and horn gamers, there was even a harpist, one thing I had by no means seen in my admittedly restricted Mariachi expertise. This first fundamental dance scene, Polkas Navideñas, was a implausible kick off to the present, that includes youngster and grownup performers exhibiting off robust footwork and spectacular linear formations. After the youth and grownup performers every had their very own part, all of them danced collectively. At occasions, they’d all stomp to the identical rhythm, however with the grownup dancers doing one thing extra complicated, exhibiting the vary of how the identical sounds might be achieved. All the attractive attire diverse barely in colours and kinds quite than being an identical, so it felt like an animated get together quite than a efficiency. The choreography for this part was executed by Kareli Montoya and Luis A. Mariñelarena Amparaná.

The subsequent dancing part was Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles’ tackle one other December custom: The Nutcracker. El Vals de las Flores, choreographed by Stephen Woodruff, set to a Mariachi-infused tackle Tchaikovsky’s rating, was a fascinating tackle this traditional. The dancers wore attire with daring pink floral tops and coloured skirts with lace. Compared to the primary quantity, there was much less footwork and extra swishing of skirts, matching the lilting really feel of the waltz music. Their épaulement, or using shoulders and heads in classical ballet, appeared to be a element of Folklórico model as nicely and was used superbly on this part. The choreography knowingly referenced classical ballet in moments, like a canon part the place every dancer sat down right into a dying swan pose. There had been just a few moments the place the dancers did a touring grand allegro-esque phrase that felt a bit clunky and misplaced. The dancers executed the swirling formations and swaying arms in addition to any ballet firm director may hope for in a standard Waltz of the Flowers, however the try to put in these borrowed classical ballet steps felt a bit out of the vary of the dancers or troublesome to do with correct ballon within the Folklórico costumes and footwear.

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles performs “Retablo Purépecha, Michoacán” with Mariachi Pueblo Viejo within the tenth version of The Soraya’s “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.

As we traveled to the state of Michoacán for Retablo Purépecha, we had been handled to a extra indigenous model of dancing with choreography by Ignacio Sánchez Verdusco. The feminine dancers had lovely lengthy braids woven with colourful cloth and lengthy crimson skirts, and the male dancers wore layers of colourful sequined tunics and scarves with white masks. The costuming was total looser, and the shortage of heels and boots indicated that rhythmic footwork was going to be much less of a function. The girls carried bowls and gently swung their skirts in a extra demure manner in comparison with the quick whipping of the skirts in different sections. The males wore sandal-like footwear that made loud noises, and as they jumped and stomped, the vitality was extra upward, with lighter hops, larger jumps, and knees lifting up as they did their footwork. There was undoubtedly some story taking place between the lads in masks, as they chased and teased one another in a foolish method. I couldn’t comply with in any respect however was completely delighted by what was transpiring.

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles performs “Algarabía Mestiza, Nayarit” with Mariachi Pueblo Viejo within the tenth version of The Soraya’s “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.

After intermission, we traveled to Nayarit for a dance involving knives and lassos. Algarabía Mestiza was choreographed by Sanchez Verdusco and Montoya. The males expertly clanged their knives over their heads and below their legs, including one other percussive ingredient. I liked the choreographic layers within the piece – the memorable knife work was first carried out simply by the lads after which later in preparations with feminine dancers doing different actions for an impactful visible impact. Here, the ladies moved with refined footwork that created the looks of gliding throughout the stage, although at occasions a number of the formation modifications felt a bit tight with the width of their costumes. As I learn by means of this system whereas writing, I translated a number of the titles to get additional context and was alarmed that “El M*yate,” the identify of one of many sections right here, is a phrase typically used as an offensive slur. This often is the identify of the tune, and there might be different meanings, however I felt like an asterisk or notice in this system would have been acceptable to clarify this additional. If the tune or dance do reference or hook up with any stereotypes, its inclusion may be price reconsidering within the context of a efficiency in multi-ethnic Los Angeles.

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles performs “¡Viva Veracruz!” with Mariachi Pueblo Viejo within the tenth version of The Soraya’s “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.

The vitality constructed much more for the ultimate two dance sections, each choreographed by Montoya: “¡Viva Veracruz!” and “Fiesta Ranchera.” Montoya confirmed off his robust dancers, in addition to his means to rearrange complicated formations and touring patterns. “¡Viva Veracruz!” featured an unbelievable a capella part, exhibiting the exact musicality and synchronicity of the dancers. Here, and all through the present, I used to be impressed by how the dancers had been in a position to execute dynamic formation modifications whereas maintaining the footwork. Often, a gaggle of dancers would do the identical motion, with some staying nonetheless and others touring half the stage, however as a viewer, they appeared completely synchronized regardless of needing to adapt actions to their journey patterns.

Ximena Sariñana performs “Viva Mexico” with Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Pueblo Viejo as the ultimate piece of The Soraya’s tenth version of “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.

“Fiesta Ranchera” featured dancers in lovely satin attire that appeared just like the Mexican flag. Montoya used easy formations to spotlight these costumes, with the top pose creating a large flag from one aspect of the stage to the opposite. The colours additionally created a mesmerizing impact because the dancers spun. The costuming and ease of this part felt extra formal and regal, making a decadent grand finale.

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles performs “¡Viva Veracruz!” with Mariachi Pueblo Viejo within the tenth version of The Soraya’s “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.

Having solely ever seen shorter excerpts of Ballet Folklórico dance, I liked with the ability to see totally different kinds of dancing and costuming to indicate the range of cultures throughout Mexico. I’d have liked to get a bit extra data both from this system or by means of bulletins introducing varied sections to assist information me by means of the journey and honor the areas being celebrated much more. The dancers and musicians had been all charming performers, interacting with one another and interesting the viewers for cheers or shouts at moments. Next December, this present is a worthy consideration for a festive vacation celebration amidst the plethora of Nutcracker choices out there.

For extra details about Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles, please go to their website.

Written by Rachel Turner for LA Dance Chronicle.

Featured picture: Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles performs “Las Olas” with Mariachi Pueblo Viejo within the tenth version of The Soraya’s “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 20, 2025 – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography.