By Lorenzo Covarrubias, PhD in Cultural Anthropology

You’ be excused if you thought that the hardest ticket to get in Mazatlán is the naval battle reenactment or crowing of the Queen during Carnaval; or perhaps a show such as Banda El Recodo; and maybe even a futbol game in town when América visits from México City.

Yet, the hardest tickets to get are late in the year…when the ballet season comes to an end at the Teatro Ángela Peralta in the Machado Plaza.

Yes…if we use 2025 as an example, trying to get tickets at the last minute to attend La Cenicienta, El Cascanueces, or La Gala Navideña it was simply a futile effort (I know!). And for good reason, as in Mazatlán, the caliber of ballet is at a par with any other city in the country; be it México City, Guadalajara, Monterrey.

That Mazatlán has ballet of utmost quality is not by mere chance, as the excellence found here has an origin where ballet has had a distinguished history, Cuba.

Cuban Ballet Excellence

Once again, you’d be excused if you thought, as I did, that such ballet excellence in Cuba is the result of their extensive historical ties with the Soviet Union-Russia where ballet has thrived…but, again, we’d be mistaken as Cuban ballet predates the 1959 Fidel Castro and Che Guevara-led socialist Cuban Revolution, and ensuing ties with the Soviet Union.

The greatest historic ballet dancer and creator of Cuba, Alicia Alonso, had started the Cuban pathway of excellence years before, in the 1940s at least. And though very few schools, if any, of ballet worldwide can develop internally without the influence of the three greatest ballet traditions of Italy, France, and Russia (pre and post Soviet Union), Cuban ballet under the guise of the Alonso family embarked in a ballet journey reflecting its own rich cultural Caribbean history.

Imperial Russia in the 1800s and early 1900s had done something similar. It incorporated the strong regional dances and as a result Russian ballet developed into a forceful series of movements and expressions not found in French or Italian traditions.

In Cuba, ballet followed a similar story and incorporated the cultural histories of its own dances, several with strong Afro-Caribbean elements…and resulted in a unique form of movement where powerful physical and emotional expressions were and still are central to it all.

In fact, such was the impact of this form of Cuban ballet, that even the Soviet Union invited Alicia Alonso and company to perform there in the 1950s, before the triumphant Cuban Revolution of 1959.

From Salsa to Ballet

I was able to witness the above through Carlos Claramunt, who I first met as a student in his Cuban salsa class (also known as rueda o casino), a type of salsa done in couples’ format and circular flow.

At first, I was struck by the classical dance and ballet feel of the dance studio near the Parque de Los Leones/Plazuela Hidalgo downtown. Conversing with him I found out why. He is actually one of the leading men of La Compañía de Ballet de Mazatlán!

Somewhat stunned by that revelation, I asked why or how he ended up teaching salsa. And, no, the answer is not simply because he’s from Cuba. It is the result of his comprehensive training as a ballet hopeful in his native country. Yes, as part of his ballet training, he received classes in Cuban salsa…and even tango!

Mazatlán’s Ballet Legacy

Mazatlán has been gifted as the recipient of all this, with the historic Teatro Ángela Peralta providing the best backdrop around. And for deep connoisseurs and general fans alike, such talent is not lost.

Zoila Fernández has much to do about this. Originally from Cuba she has been a main force behind La Compañía de Ballet de Mazatlán, founded in 2011. With 40 years of experience in Cuba and México, she has been a mainstay of ballet in the port city. Working hand in hand with the Instituto Municipal de Cultura, she has carved a list of accomplishments that rival any other major city in the country.

Don’t Miss It

So, there you have it. Mazatlán is a direct window to one of the best ballet forms in the world, not just the country.

With its from based in La Escuela Cubana de Ballet, through Zoila Fernández as its teacher, director, founder…and leading figures including Carlos Claramunt, no wonder I couldn’t get tickets for the late ballet season last year. I just waited too long, erroneously thinking that there would be enough to go around before the performances.

So, readers, this year get your tickets early…as I will. Be part of history, and at the same time enjoy the spectacular original dance that has influenced the turns and pivots of countless others including all Latin rhythms.

Yes, ballet…the original dance, right here in Mazatlán.