By DJ Ramirez | Athletics Editor
I know we all have things we miss out on from the pre-pandemic times and items we hope to do when it lastly finishes, and for me, one of those items is dancing. But not just any form of dancing. I’m talking Latin/Hispanic dancing. I’m conversing cumbia, quebradita, duranguense, salsa, merengue, bachata, etc. I’m conversing Tejano tunes.
Central Texas is a great deal additional numerous than it will get credit rating for and I truly want it was a lot easier to investigate that diversity, notably when it comes to cultural routines these types of as dancing. Anyone loves a superior Honky Tonk and Texas two-action, but Melody Ranch can’t be the only instant option (not that I have anything from Melody Ranch).
What I’m attempting to say is that there should be far more instant alternatives for Tejano and Latin audio to be relished. I know there was a place downtown that available a Latin night time, but considering I cannot even keep in mind the identify of the establishment, it naturally was not adequate.
Tejano society was born prior to Texas was even a condition, and the tunes and dancing are a direct reflection of its historical past in the region. Tejano culture is a border culture, a blend of Mexican, Anglo-American and Indigenous, affected by German and Czech immigrants in the mid-19th century. It transcends a one label or definition.
Tejano songs and dance halls in particular are a excellent illustration of the range and “cosmicness” of the Hispanic/Latin group. The songs is a melting pot of different styles: Columbian cumbia, Cubano boleros, Texas place and German accordion polka. Dance halls are the desk in which its served. A place to obtain as a group and indulge in togetherness when we so normally really feel like outsiders, no subject where we go.
But Tejano lifestyle is uniquely American. It is non-homogenous in the exact same way that America is non-homogenous.
You see, my beef isn’t automatically with the lack of dance halls in the location but with the lack of genuine spaces in which Tejano society is allowed to prosper. Due to the fact it is flourishing. Of course, it is a lot more prevalent down south, in the Valley and in major towns with a bigger Hispanic presence like Houston and San Antonio. On the other hand, I nonetheless really feel like there is a solid more than enough presence of Hispanics in Central Texas to have much more areas for our tradition to continue on to thrive.
And possibly I’m not seeking challenging adequate for those people spaces. Possibly I just need to have to preserve searching for them. All I know is when the pandemic ends, the to start with thing I’m going to do is bailar.