Sunset Parkers celebrated Mexican heritage with film, food, and a free performance by a local traditional dance company at Industry City on Feb. 20 — the second in a series of family events called Sunset Park Cinema Club for Kids that Industry City and Rooftop Films are sponsoring. One mother who brought her son said was an “action-packed” day that will bring her back.
“I plan to tell my mommy group that they missed out and should come next week — I’ll definitely be coming back and bringing friends,” said Anney Ozar of Windsor Terrace.
Benito Bravo Dance Company’s Ballet Folklorico Quetzacoatl provided the main event. Around 30 of the Sunset Park troupe’s younger dancers — aged 5 to 18 — performed eight numbers for a crowd of roughly 70 people.
The dancers’ outfits and steps offered a visual and aural tour of Mexico — some dances originated in Chiapas state at the southern tip of the U.S.’s southern neighbors, others in the central state of Jalisco, and some in the northern state of Chihuahua, Bravo said.
After the performance, organizers screened “The Book of Life,” an animated film inspired by a Mexican folktale of love and divine intervention. Maria’s Bistro Mexicano and Green Fig Bakery sold grub and face-painters and balloon-makers kept children entertained the rest of the day.
Organizers will bring in Brooklyn Salsa to give kids free dance lessons and will screen Disney’s animated hit “Up” this weekend.
Sunset Park Cinema Club for Kids at Industry City (241 37th St. between Second and Third avenues in Sunset Park, rooft
