To celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the cultures at Woodbury Elementary on Tuesday, a group of Mexican folk dancers gave students a performance.

They performed three dances – El Son de la Negra, which originates from Jalisco and features vibrant colored, flowing dresses; Nahuatl, featuring ribbons and originates from Xochipitzahuatl; and Le Danza de los Viejitos, which translates to Dance of the Old Men and originates from Michoacan.

Woodbury Principal Oscar Cardenas said the school already had a connection with the group as some of the staff are members.

“It means a lot to our kids who can identify with the culture and it is an opportunity to show them something that is different from their culture,” he said. “We wanted to capitalize on that with our duo-language program. We’re teaching both languages, but we’re also teaching them about something they haven’t been exposed to.”

Group organizer Bertha Santillan de Medina said they performed at the elementary because they were invited.

“We were happy to celebrate the culture and Cinco de Mayo,” she said. “It’s really nice to dance today.”

Medina chose the three dances because many Marshalltown residents with ties to Mexico are from those particular regions and to coordinate with elements of the Battle of Puebla and the victory Mexico won over the French, which is why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated.

Woodbury students really responded to the Le Danza de los Viejitos. The dancers “stumbled” out into the gym with canes and masks to look like old men.

“The old men fall down and make jokes,” Medina said. “I’m surprised and so happy [with the students’ response.] This is the first time we’ve danced at the school. I’m so happy to hear and see all of the kids enjoy it.”

Cardenas agreed that the students had a great response to the dance group.

“I think they connected very well – just the spontaneous applause, and knowing the rhythms and the songs and clapping and cheering them on. They loved it. They just absolutely loved it,” he said.

Medina has been dancing in Marshalltown for the last eight years, starting with Oktemberfest.

According to Cardenas, Woodbury Elementary will definitely invite Medina’s group back to the school next year.

“I would love to have them come during a family night,” he said. “Some parents called, asking about it and if they could come. But this one was for the kids. It would be great to do something for our parents, as well.”

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.