Cinco de Mayo fundraiser held to help grow Folklorico dance group in Copperas Cove
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
Members of La Belleza Anahuac Folklorico Troupe are looking to bring their style of dancing to the Copperas Cove area, and to do that, they are looking to raise money.
Yvonne Imergoot and Michelle Dery, co-presidents of La Belleza Anahuac Folklorico Troupe, held a Cinco De Mayo celebration at Crestview Christian Church.
They sold costumes from Imergoot’s time with a belly dancing group as well as various other items knickknacks. From 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., the two families sold freshly made tacos.
Imergoot said that they hope that, through the dance group, they will be able to bring their culture to the community.
“Dance is who I am, what I do, and what I love,” said Imergoot who has been a member of other dance groups but wanted to start La Belleza Anahuac Folklorico Troupe here.
“It’s so that we can share our culture,” said Imergoot. “I don’t want our culture to die.”
She said that it’s especially important to her that her grandkids know who they are and where they are from and hopes to extend that to others who might have the same or a similar background.
Imergoot described the dance as being a bit like a cross of the flamenco with indigenous dances. Imergoot said that they need to raise about $1,000 in order to be able to purchase shoes and costumes for members of the troupe. She said that she does not want the cost of those things to prevent anyone from joining the group. Imergoot added that it may be a while before they are able to accept new members to the group because she and Dery are working to make sure that they know everything that they need to in order to run a successful dance troupe.
Sylvia Herbel attended the event and hopes that the two will be able to succeed.
“I think it’s good that they are preserving their cultural heritage,” said Herbel who purchased one of the taco plates for the fund raiser. “I enjoy their food and I support what they do. It’s very entertaining as well as educational.”
Those who want to donate towards La Belleza Anahuac Folklorico Troupe can do so through CashApp with $YvonneImergoot phone number (254) 394-1408 or Venmo with @Jessica-L-Dery phone number (254) 371-551.