APRIL 2008

Preserving the legacy of our ancestors
through music and dance.

PERFORMANCES/EVENTS

    *Dates and times are subject to change.

BFFW WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The BFFW welcomes its newest Board Members: Scott Daiches, Linda Adrian, Sandra Gonzalez and Lana Janzen.  The addition of these members fills all but one position on the BFFW Board.  This organization is extremely blessed to have such a fantastic group of individuals join in BFFW's common mission.

Scott Daiches is a buyer for Lockheed Martin Corporation and enjoys giving back to the community in his spare time.  He brings with him the ability to provide this organization with his knowledge in the area of finance. Scott is a longtime volunteer and supporter of BFFW and we are very excited to have him as a Board Member.

Linda Adrian is a retired principal for the Fort Worth Independent School District and as a result has a tremendous amount of understanding of the community and its children.  She brings her expertise in the area of education to this organization.  Her experience as a leader in education is a great addition to BFFW's continued commitment to bring the awareness of the Mexican culture to the public.

Sandra Gonzalez is an accountant for the Secretary and Exchange Commission and is very proud of her daughter, Abigail, who dances with BFFW.  Sandra is a committed individual and brings not only her accounting experience, but a passion for volunteering in the community.  She has not only volunteered with BFFW for some time, but has simultaneously given many hours to St. John the Apostle School.  It is fantastic to have such a young and energetic person on the BFFW Board.  Sandra has also agreed to an appointment as Chair of the BFFW Parent's Committee.

Lana Janzen is a police officer for the Fort Worth Police Department and has been a BFFW volunteer since its inception.  She served as a BFFW Board member from 2007 to 2008 before joining the Fort Worth Police Academy.  Lana brings with her much volunteer experience as she has also given of her time as a mentor for Team Fort Worth through Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Make a Wish Foundation, and with Attitudes and Attire in Dallas.  She is an outstanding individual and will be a great role model to not only to the BFFW children, but is a great addition to our well respected organization.  Lana has also been elected and has accepted the position as BFFW Treasurer.

Thank you to all of these individuals for your support and willingness to give so freely of your time to this organization.

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THE BEAUTY OF MEXICO AT

MAIN STREET FORT WORTH ARTS FESTIVAL 2009

The Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth is very proud to once again take part in the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival.  The festival takes place from April 16th through 19th on Main Street in downtown Fort Worth between the historic Tarrant County Courthouse and the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The BFFW encourages everyone to come out and see the Beauty of Mexico at this year's festival on the following dates and times:

Friday, April 17th @ 4:00 p.m.                   Target Performing Arts Stage at 5th & Main St.

Saturday, April 18th @ 2:00 p.m.              Target Performing Arts Stage at 5th & Main St.

Sunday, April 19th @ 3:00 p.m.                Target Performing Arts Stage at 5th & Main St.

It has been a pleasure to bring the beauty of Mexico to this outstanding festival, and the BFFW hopes to continue in this tradition for many years to come.  We look forward to seeing you there.

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BFFW COLLABORATION WITH THE FORT WORTH OPERA

The Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth is most pleased to collaborate with the Fort Worth Opera in its presentation of Carmen by Georges Bizet.  The BFFW will provide entertainment in the lobby of Bass Performance Hall during the first intermission of the opening night on Saturday, April 25, 2009.

Carmen promises a night filled with passion, intrigue, betrayal, jealousy and some of the most famous music in opera.  The performance will be in French with projected English AND Spanish translations.  This is a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy a magnificent performance and catch a BFFW performance all in one evening.  For more information go to  https://www.fwoperatickets.org/public/show.asp

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BFFW FUNDRAISERS

The Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth has the following fundraisers currently in progress.

•  Home Interiors Celebrating Home - Candle Sales

            Contact a BFFW Dancer/Parent/Board Member or Beverly Marquez-Gonzalez at bevmarquez@gmail.com for further information.

•  MagFundraising

            Go to http://www.magfundraising.com/GroupPage.aspx?e=1136201 and not only can you purchase your favorite magazine at a great prize, but a portion of each sale is donated to the BFFW (a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts organization).

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BFFW'S CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL AT TRINITY PARK

The Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth will once again be hosting its Children's Festival at Trinity Park on Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  This event has received a tremendous amount of recognition in the last three years and is promising to be even bigger and better in 2009.

The performances for this event are being made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.  The BFFW is extremely grateful to the Council for making it possible to bring such a multitude of cultures together to perform in one location.  The festival is free and open to the public and will provide community services to those who attend.

This event makes it possible for those who would not otherwise be able to enjoy such an array of beautiful performances to come out and enjoy the day in a family friendly setting.  Awareness and attendance continues to increase every year.

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a sponsor of this worthwhile event, please contact Carmen Garcia by email at bffw.carmen@yahoo.com or at 817/894-2558.  Follow is a Sponsorship List:

I.       Corporate Sponsor [$500+]

         A.  Entertainment stage named after company [Top Donor Only]

         B.  Display space for company information

         C.  Website Recognition

         D.  On site banner display

         E.  Company name included on posters throughout the community

         F.   Recognition in May and June Newsletters

         G.  Post event acknowledgement in July Newsletter

         H.  Company name on Festival T-shirts

         I.    Broad public recognition in all media releases

         J.   Company name included in written program

         K.  Printed recognition onsite at festival

II.      Patron Sponsor [$300 - $499]

         A.  Website Recognition

         B.  On site banner display

         C.  Company name included on posters throughout the community

         D.  Recognition in May and June Newsletters

         E.  Post event acknowledgement in July Newsletter

         F.   Company name on Festival T-shirts

         G.  Broad public recognition in all media releases

         H.  Company name included in written program

         I.    Printed recognition onsite at festival

III.     Contributing Sponsor [$200 - $299]

         A.  Recognition in May and June Newsletters

         B.  Post event acknowledgement in July Newsletter

         C.  Company name on Festival T-shirts

         D.  Broad public recognition in all media releases

         E.  Company name included in written program

         F.   Printed recognition onsite at festival

IV.    Sponsor [$100 to $199]

         A.  Broad public recognition in all media releases

         B.  Company name included in written program

         C.  Printed recognition onsite at festival

V.     Friend of Festival [up to $99]

               Printed recognition onsite at festival

*           In-kind service, media and material contributions receive the same benefits as equivalent cash.

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THE BFFW CONTINUES ITS SEARCH

FOR A PERMANENT HOME

The Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth is in search of a permanent home in order to continue in its mission to spread the beauty of the Mexican culture to its diverse audiences throughout the community.  The growing demand for BFFW performances has increased its necessity for rehearsal time in order to produce quality presentations.

There are over one hundred (100) children on the BFFW waiting list hoping to join this great organization, and many have been waiting for over a year.  Without its own facility in which to add additional classes, the BFFW must continue to have these children wait.  They are very anxious to become part of an organization that has such a strong commitment to preserving the traditions of its Mexican culture, promoting physical fitness, encouraging teamwork and building strong character.

If you or anyone you know has any suggestions or ideas as to how or where the BFFW can obtain such a facility at a very reasonable price, please contact Carmen Garcia at 817/894-2558.  We welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

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BFFW 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Anna Carrizales, President and Strategic Planning Chair

Jesse Sandoval, Vice-President and Facilities Chair

Lana Janzen, Treasurer

Lidia Ontineros, Secretary

Mario Carrizales, Community Outreach Chair

Beverly Marquez-Gonzalez, Fund Development Chair

Sandra Gonzalez, Parent Representative

Linda Adrian

Scott Daiches

Barbara Sanders-Holland

Carmen Garcia, Artistic Director

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BFFW 2009 ADVISORY BOARD

Cary L. Jennings, Broude, Smith & Jennings, P.C.

Eva Bonilla, Chair Hispanic Women's Network

Juanita Rangel, Charter Member/co-Chair, Tejano Democrats of North Texas

Courtney Quiroga, Northside Election Judge

Tom Giovannitti, Deacon St. Rita's Catholic Church

Mary Robinson, PhD, RN, BC, Vice President Patient Care Svc &

Chief Nursing Officer, Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest

Manuel Govea, Owner, Mi Charrito Mexican Restaurant

JoLinda Martinez

Paulette Golden, RN, Community Health Manager

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