Our hearts and prayers go out to the Family of Anita N. Martinez. The folklorico community of Dallas would not have thrived had it not been for one of the many visions of this remarkable woman.

Nearly every, if not all, ballet folklorico groups in Dallas can trace their roots back to the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklórico. I never danced in the company. I give the credit of my training to my amazing maestros, Manuel & Guadalupe "Wally" Godinez. They were the artistic directors of ANMBF in the early 80s. They decided to start their own company, so they began Ballet Folklórico Hispano de Dallas. This is the common denominator for all of Dallas folklorico; this is the lineage for so so many of us. At some point we all branched out from ANMBF.

Although I never danced at ANMBF, I did work there, for 1 year, in their office. It was then that I truly learned who Anita was. I learned about the many accomplishments in her life. I learned about her place as the first latina ciity council member of Dallas; of any major US city. How she was hand picked by President Nixon as a representative for Red Cross. And her advocacy for West Dallas and making sure their needs were met. She pushed for a Recreation Center to be made in the neighborhood because she saw the need for it. When it was done, they honored her by naming it after her. She wanted Dallas to be able to offer Ballet folklorico to the Hispanic community, and she founded the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklórico. She even carried the Olympic torch when it passed through Dallas for the 1984 games.

Thank you Anita for your service to Folklórico, and for your service to Dallas.

Sandra Zamora

It brings us great sadness to say we have lost someone who has made a difference for Alegre.

Sandra Zamora was more than just a fan of Alegre for many, many years. Sandra was one of the FIRST board members for the company.

Sandra and Pedro first became acquainted at George Washington Carver Elementary School in 2015. It was here that they became friends and she found out about Alegre. She went to her first show that year and never missed a show after that.

In 2022, Alegre became an official non-profit organization. Sandra was one of the first people asked to be a part of this new endeavor. It was because of the support and effort of this FIRST board of directors, that Alegre was able to have the studio we are now in.

Sandra looked mostly soft spoken to most. Once you got to know her and her comfort level with you was there, Sandra was funny, sassy and had her opinion on everything.

Sandra Zamora was a beautiful spirit that will be greatly missed.

A memorial gathering will take place on Sunday, May 17th at :00pm in the , if anyone from Alegre would like to come and pay their respects.

Tickets

Everyone should be selling your 25 tickets minimum.

Ticket money is due June 3rd.

Alegre Ballet Folklórico Annual Raffle Fundraiser

Drawing Date: June 6, post Spring Show in person and on Facebook Live

Tickets: $5
Prizes

$600 Cash Prize
65" 4K UHD Roku Smart TV
Incloodie Food Tour for Two
Oak Cliff Beauty Bar Date Night Package
Full Lash Set + Professional Blowout
Oak Cliff Eats Package
Little Joy Coffee + Olmo Market + Herby’s Gift Card
Diamond Earrings
Carne Asada Party Package
Mi Tienda Deli Gift Card + Grill Light Spatula
bbpiñata Gift Card for Two
Mini Photoshoot by The Social Chica
Apple AirPods (4th Generation)
Coach Purse/Wallet + Kendra Scott Necklaces (2)
Texas Massage & Spa + Beauty Library Lash Set
Summer Chess Camp + Travel Chess & Checkers Set
Texas Rangers Game Tickets (2)
Infield Mezzanine
$50 Cash and Fluffy Pet Grooming Gift Cards

Ask for extra tickets if you can sell more! The money from the raffle effects our annual budget. This is a way you can help directly with extra things for the group.