A year ago I was preparing to leave for Mexico where I would learn the music and dance specific to Xantolo (regional variant of Day of the Dead) celebrations in the Huasteca. As for who to study with, Manolo Zavala was recommended to me by Eloy Zuñiga Guinea as well as Jorge Morenos. Flaunting the recommendation of these two nimble jaraneros (A jaranero is someone who plays the 5 string jarana huasteca) I reached out to Manolo who lives in El Higo (The Fig), Veracruz and he welcomed me to stay and be part of the proceedings. The outcome surpassed my expectations and now I find myself preparing to celebrate Xantolo in Toronto with Eloy, Manolo and another of my teachers, Yuyú. Full circle! This image is a celebration of their imminent arrival in Canada.
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