Danza, música a Dia de los Niños

The Rancho Santa Fe Library hosted the Gypsy Folk Ensemble on April 30 to celebrate Dia de los Niños and Cinco de Mayo. Children learned that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The folk ensemble entertained children with Mexican dances, the women swirling their colorful skirts in a move called “la mariposa,” or “the butterfly.”

Together everyone got in a circle and danced “La Raspa,” clapping and kicking their feet. “La Raspa,” which means “to scrape,” describes the movement of the feet in the dance, scraping against the floor.

The children got a special treat when young Carlos and Melina Mora danced their take on “Jarabe Tapitío,” or “Mexican Hat Dance.”