These brilliantly colored dancers wear a traditional style of dress that originates from Jalisco, Mexico.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley Post Acute was treated to a swirl of color and music this past Saturday, Dec. 20, as the Las Hijas de Maria Mexican folkloric dancers performed a private showing for the staff and residents.

Las Hijas de Maria, translating to “the daughters of Mary,” brought dancers from as young as five years of age to teenagers to share their talents and perform for about 45 minutes.

The program began with two tiny dancers swirling skirts larger than they were tall around the room.

Each routine varied along with the number of dancers as the ladies of Las Hijas De Maria performed nearly a dozen numbers for the small crowd gathered in the facilities dining area.

Onlookers would notice two distinct styles of dresses: one a long-sleeved, higher-necked style adorned with multicolored stripes of ribbon along the hem of their skirts and collars. Similar satiny strands of ribbon were woven through the braids in the girls’ hair, which was worn in loops on either side of their heads.

A more coquette style gown was worn by the other half of dancers, their dresses featuring off the shoulder necklines and made of layers and ruffles edged in lace. Large and colorful flower headpieces adorned their hair, which were tied up in buns, their saucy attire finished with red lips.

Maria Salgado of Las Hijas de Maria told the Herald that the difference in dress styles represented various geographical locations in Mexico and the tenor of the cultures within those cities.

The young ladies in the more conservative dresses with ribbons reflected the traditional dancers of Jalisco, Mexico, while the more flirtatious look of the young senoritas came from the Sinaloa region of the country, according to Salgado.

This little girl shows the skirts of her dress in the Sinaloa region of Mexico style dress.

“That style is more…flirtatious,” Salgado said of the Sinaloa dresses smiling.

“There are many things” added Salgado, commenting on layers of tradition often unknown by the public in regard to the folkloric dancers, their traditional dress and choice of song.

Residents applauded the young dancers, who joined together in the finale before going around the room single-file and waving thanks at their audience.

This is the second year the group has performed at the facility and they plan to return.

Dancers of varying ages swirled their skirts in festive dances for residents and staff members of Gridley Post Acute.

“We organize this event to raise a little awareness among our children about the importance of giving love and companionship to our senior adults,” said Lucia Chavez of Las Hijas de Maria, who also works at the facility.

The dancers and their families not only brought the entertainment, but also a spread of delicious looking Mexican fare, rice and hibiscus tea for all to enjoy after the show.

The Las Hijas de Maria Mexican folkloric dancers after their performance at Gridley Post Acute skilled nursing facility in Gridley.