THE MAN WHO SET THE TOWN DANCING
El Hombre que Hizo el Pueblo Bailar
A True Story
1574160508
By Candice Stanford
Illustrations by Flo Hosa Dougherty
40 pages, 8-1/2 x 11, CLPMANWHO (cloth) $16.95

“The Man Who Set the Town Dancing by Candice Stanford celebrates the life and work of José Tena, master teacher, vibrant dancer, community activist, and guide for so many people of all ages and backgrounds. It is the story of a dream realized and carried forward with joy. The artwork by Flo Hosa Dougherty captures the magical and glorious energy of Mexican and New Mexican dance. The spirit of José Tena, energetic and talented man of the people, pervades this book for children of all ages.” (Denise Chávez, author of Loving Pedro Infante)

The Man Who Set the Town Dancing is based on the true story of José Tena, maestro of dance, who popularized folk dances of Mexico. It is also about how if a child has a dream he truly believes in, and works hard--in spite of obstacles and others’ discouragement, even derision—he can make that dream come true.

José had a dream; he dreamed of teaching everyone in his town to dance the original dances of New Mexico—the folk dances from the Spanish Colonial period. Because no one else knew the steps, José had to dance by himself with others only watching, and he worried that this important part of their cultural heritage would soon be lost. Forgotten or never even experienced would be the joys, the laughter, the gloriously colored costumes and lively energetic movements of the dance. For José, this future seemed unbearable.

Lavishly illustrated with full color paintings rich in cultural detail, the book follows Jose as he sets about making his dream come true and bringing dance back into the lives of the townspeople. The brilliantly colored illustrations seem to pulsate with the life and the rhythm of the La Indita, the El Vaquero, the El Vals de los Panos and the La Cuna. Basic musical transcriptions and step diagrams for each of these dances are included, so soon you can set your whole neighborhood dancing!

About the Author and Illustrator: Candice Stanford is a reporter, freelance writer and photographer for newspapers and magazines. Currently a high school journalism and photography teacher in the Seattle area, Stanford formerly wrote a weekly children's book review column for the Las Cruces Sun News. She travels extensively, collects children's books and spends her summers teaching in other countries such as Korea. She is looking forward an upcoming assignment in China along with her two daughters. Originally from northern Minnesota, she has a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and is licensed as a K-12 school principal.

The idea for this book, Stanford’s first, was inspired during a newspaper interview with José Tena, who remarked that his dream was to teach everyone in Las Cruces to dance; hence the "Man Who Set the Town Dancing" was conceived. Tena has been dancing for more than three decades with his dance group, Ballet Folklorico de la Tierra Del Encanto. This group has been a mainstay in local fiestas, mariachi conferences and special performances and has appeared across the country from the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to the Danzantes Unidos Festival in Fresno, California.

Flo Hosa Dougherty is an artist who accepts commissioned requests, exhibits in juried shows and has received numerous awards. She is currently residing in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and visitors are welcome to her home studio/gallery, Blue Gate Gallery. More about the artist can be viewed on her web page, www.artgally.com/bluegate. After graduating from Youngstown State University in Ohio, Dougherty served for a number of years as art department chairperson at Boardman High School. She still holds as a personal priority fostering art in young people and in her community.

BILINGUAL