Colibrí Mexican Folkdance UK are an established dance troupe of native Mexicans showcasing traditional Mexican dance throughout the north-west of England and beyond. They are very proud to promote the traditional dances of their beautiful country.

Magaly Flores, Colibrí’s Artistic Director, was born in Coyuca de Catalan, Guerrero, Mexico. She is a qualified art teacher in Mexico, specialising in dance education. After finishing her degree, she joined the Dance Research Centre (Centro de Investigacion de la Danza), which investigated and helped resurrect and protect the culture of many regional folk dances across Mexico. She taught dance courses at different schools and universities, and collaborated with several leading dance directors and producers, including Maria Suarez, Efrain Velez, David Moyoa and Juan Carranza. She says of this period: “What fascinated me at the time about folk dance was talking with the dancers in the villages, understanding what a piece of folk dance means to the community, and getting involved in the town’s fiestas.”

Upon moving to the UK, Magaly performed many traditional folk dances on behalf of the Mexican embassy at numerous special cultural events across the south-east. She also acted as a practical consultant to Rosamund Shreeves in her research updating her bestselling publication Children Dancing, which Amazon.co.uk describes as being “widely acclaimed as a source book of ideas for schools, community groups and all those working creatively with children”.
She is currently working full time in the primary education sector, promoting both the Spanish language and wider Mexican culture. She is also using her experience as a professionally trained dancer to deliver dance classes in primary schools.

Magaly’s aim as artistic director is to help ensure that these dances are performed and shared with the next generation.

Since founding in 2016, Colibrí’s vibrant performances have been enjoyed by thousands of people at events including Manchester Days 2017 and 2018, Wahaca Day of the Dead, Bem Brasil, La Tasca, El Taquero, Manchester International Day, and many more. The group has performed for the Mexican consulate and ambassador to the UK in Durham and London. This is their third annual Mexican Dance Showcase, following previous sell-out shows at Chorlton and the Waterside Arts Centre last year.