Dancing Across Borders

CCL Founder Susan Cashion contributed to Dancing Across Borders, a compilation of essays on Mexican dance, with her work entitled “The Mexican Danzón: Restrained Sensuality”.

“The military band opened its program with a selection of marches and symphonic works, but the highlight of the evening was their renderings of the danzón. Elderly gentlemen were seated in the first row of chairs, smartly dressed in crisp, white guayabera shirts, creased white slacks, and white dress shoes. As each danzón began, they invited a partner to the area in front of the stage and laced together traditional steps they remembered from their youth. Their selected partners were their wives, daughters, or even granddaughters. The soft romance of the music floated in the warm evening breeze over the plaza. Spectators applauded the dancers after each selection and commented on the senior dancers’ elegance.”