hero arts

sponsored by

Your local full service agency providing travel services for over 40 years

To keep his children on a straight and narrow path, he seized upon their interest in dance to form Ballet Folklorico Tapatio. In the early days, 22 years ago, a group of three couples (including three dancers who were his children) practiced on Baca’s porch. Its first performance was at a church in Bisbee.

Today there are 168 dancers, ages 2 to 70. They practice in a South Tucson studio Baca built next to his upholstery shop, a business that earned Arizona Daily Star readers’ favorite honors this year. He dreams now of building a theater for dancers and musicians.

MASTER GARDENER “I think I got a good seed,” Baca says. “I put it in the ground, and it grows and grows.”

He is a master gardener. The dance group, with the ongoing nurturing and support of Baca, performs internationally and consistently wins awards for excellence and authenticity.

But what has taken root in South Tucson is more than just an arts and culture phenomenon. The dance studio is a community hub, and Baca is a father figure to many who visit it—children and adults.

SOMEONE TO EMULATE “A lot of kids say, ‘I want to be like you’,” Baca says. The words catch in his throat, and his eyes leak just a little. That’s what happens when his heart overflows with love.

Director Jose Luis Baca, one of the original Ballet Folklorico Tapatio dancers, is a proud son who knows his father is a pillar of the community.

“He’s a hero,” Jose Luis says. The words catch in his throat, and his eyes leak just a little. “If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Do you know an Arts Hero? Someone who works tirelessly to strengthen, improve and enhance the arts in our community?

Nominate him or her at onmediaaz.com