Monarca Initiative board member Myriam Cerecer performs baile folklórico with five other dancers during Monarca Initiative's celebration event on April 26. (Justin Wilcox/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Monarca Initiative, a local nonprofit helping immigrants, wants to bring baile folklorico classes to children in Tyler — all they are missing is a place.

“There are many places here, many salons that I hope someone will read us, hear us and help facilitate the space we need,” Monarca Initiative co-founder Josefina Vazquez said. The group is looking for donated space, she said.

After Monarca Initiative started its own baile folklorico group in February, the group had their debut performance on April 26 during Monarca Initiative’s kickoff celebration. Since then, the group has grown and flourished.

“It is a diverse group,” Vazquez said, noting the group has both men and women of different ages. “… Some of us were born here and others were born in the country (of Mexico). All of us are Mexicans.”

Once they secure a space — which they are actively seeking — the group’s goal is to start baile folklorico classes for children. The classes, for ages 8 to 14, will be held in both Spanish and English. Additionally, people can join the adult group which is conducted in Spanish only.

The current group is made up of seven women, two men and two kids. The group grew, expanding and changing from its original six members. The members are from various regions in Mexico including: Michoacán, Sinaloa, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí.

On Oct. 19, the group will perform in the Texas Rose Festival Parade. In the same month, they will perform as part of Monarca Initiative’s Flavors and Folklore event on Oct. 11.

Being part of the group helps connect them to their roots, get exercise and learn the history and tradition behind the dances. Vazquez meets with a Mexican choreographer to go over the dances. During rehearsal, Vazquez walks the members through the steps.

“Many times, folklorico comes with stories,” Vazquez said. “So there are times some of the songs have a sequence in how the story needs to be told. This increases the creativity in people and kids.”

The group has performed dances from various regions in Mexico including: Nuevo León, Sinaloa and Michoacán.

Dances vary from state to state. There are many types of dances, such as one where dancers hold candles on top of their heads and another in which dancers wear masks of senior citizens.

“I would like people here to learn about other regions in Mexico because usually they just think of mariachi,” Vazquez said. “And there are many other beautiful cultures from there. Cultures from central [Mexico] and cultures from farther south.”

Through starting this group, members realized there is an interest in baile folklorico classes for kids. Monarca Initiative wants to teach kids to help them feel more connected to their roots. However, they have been unable to find a place for the classes. This has put the classes on hold.

In order to start teaching the classes, they need a room big enough for 12 to 15 students once a week for about two hours in Tyler. They have reached out to a few places but have not heard back. So, they continue to search and hope to connect with someone who can help.

“We can also promise to clean the place,” Vazquez said. “[We will] leave the place how it was given to us.”

Myriam Cerecer, Monarca Initiative board member and member of the folklorico group, will teach the classes. She started dancing at 2 years old.

“Folklorico dance was my first love,” Cerecer said.

Cerecer is hoping the group receives sign-ups and a space to practice.

“We hope many kids sign up and that we find a place soon where we can give them classes so we can maintain our roots and Mexican culture,” Cerecer said. “Because we are prepared.”

The classes will be 12 to 15 weeks, have a fee of $270 and require parents to buy the outfits for their kids. They would like to have a small showcase after the classes and offer the classes every semester. Part of this money will help fund Monarca. The other funds will go toward covering costs for the baile folklorico group.

Because they source their outfits from Mexico, it can be expensive. The jackets for the men for their dance from Nuevo León were $200. A complete outfit can cost $500.

In addition, the classes will help bring business to local Latino businesses since the parents will be required to buy the outfits. They are working with a Costa Rican woman who has a business in Tyler. However, she has had trouble finding clients.

“She was very sad because she had not been able to connect and start working here,” Vazquez said. “That’s another benefit of the group. We are opening doors and giving work to our own people.”

In the future, Cerecer hopes to do dances from Veracruz. They plan to start with dances they already know. As a former dancer, she is excited to be dancing again.

“It’s like no time has passed,” Cerecer said. “I see a step and quickly get it. Anything, I get it quickly because I do have the experience. I did learn it at the moment. I am happy.”

For anyone interested in joining the baile folklorico group or offering a space, contact Vazquez at Josefina.vazquez@monarcainitiative.org or call 903-345-5007.