The Americanization of Quinceañeras, Out of Sync

Bradley E. Clift

The Hartford Courant

THE AMERICANIZATION OF QUINCENEARAS --- OUT OF SYNC --- It is not as though none of the kids ranging in age 4-17 wants to learn to dance, it is that they've been asked to dance again and again until they get it just right by Lisandra Almendia's mother. Every couple seems disinterested, but they are more distracted by repetition than boredom. The five couples have spent months preparing for Lisandra's (center with her escort, Raul Robles) Quincenearas Dec. 1st. and have practiced this ballroom dancing and the entrance to the after party near the tenement apartment where Lisandra lives. The couples from left, 4-year-old Briana Gerena tries to show her 'date' Giovanni Nieves, 6 the rigtht steps. Sabrina Davila, 12 is not interested in the steps as she is lead by the sneaker wearing Edwin Almendia, 13. Ziahayra Figueroa, 7 chides her brother Christopher Figueroa, 10 to follow her even though she steps on his feet. Lisandra's mother is certain the practice will pay off, the kids have improved vastly from this summer scene.

Bradley E. Clift, "The Americanization of Quinceañeras, Out of Sync," in POYi Archive, Item #32532, http://archive.poy.org/items/show/32532 (accessed November 22, 2024).