Más Flow showcases legendary performance with ‘Leyendas’

The Más Flow Dance Company honored legends of Latin music with their spring show “Leyendas,” which ran from April 11 through April 13 in Frist Theater. In the spirit of legends, the show presented its audience with stories and histories of the various music and dance styles that celebrate a valuable part of Latin culture.

Filler videos between performances also joined the storyline. The first video portrayed a group of students embarking on the strenuous journey to Princeton Record Exchange, after they lose internet connection. At the record store, they share various encounters with “customers” and “employees” who introduce them to different styles of Latin music. After each music style was introduced in a video, along with some anecdotes about its origins and social impacts, a piece mirroring that style was performed. The videos’ creative touches engaged the audience through comedic elements, with the sonorous laughter throughout the theater indicating that they were well received.

Dancers took the stage for the opening number, “Café y Orquídea,” an incredible piece that combined both cumbia and Mapalé styles. The dancers were costumed in long, flowy red skirts that were used to create movement during the piece. While Más Flow has often done popular bachata, salsa, and reggaeton styles of dance, they have tried to branch out in recent years to incorporate other culturally significant dances from across Latin America.

Publicity Chair, Olivia Hoppe-Spink ’26, noted that the dance was a new experience, and told The Daily Princetonian that she had “never done something like that before.” The piece was also striking from the audience’s perspective. The dancers used their costumes as an accent to their remarkable skills, creating a beautiful exhibition on stage.

A particularly extraordinary part of the performance was when performer Sofia Sanchez ’27 was lifted and turned completely upside down by a fellow dancer. The amazingly impressive feat created anticipation throughout the audience as she was sustained in the air for an extended period of time. As the dance continued, Sanchez was once again lifted by other dancers and swung through the air, adding to the movement and fluidity previously created with the motion of the skirts. The piece was very invigorating and enjoyable to watch.

Sanchez is an associate Audience editor for the 'Prince.'

The night continued with an entertaining variety of dance styles, including tango, salsa, Brazilian funk, reggaeton, Duranguense, samba, milonga, merengue, flamenco, bachata and even hints of bellydance. I really enjoyed the Duranguense piece, titled “Las Chicas de Princeton.” The dance was complete with colorful cowboy hats and boots, which added to the amusement and light-hearted spirit. Additionally, “Dinámicas,” “Nos Vemos En La Calle,” and “Los MF Farolitos,” were incredibly fun pieces. In addition to the exceptional skills displayed by the performers, the expressions and lively attitudes of the dancers added to the energetic atmosphere of the stage, which extended to the audience.

High-spirited cheers, whistles, and laughs from the audience left me with no doubt of Más Flow’s impact. The dance community is clearly very strong and their bond only made the performance even stronger.

Hoppe-Spink said, “We call ourselves ‘La Familia,’ it really truly is like a family.” It was a pleasure to be a part of this family’s traditions. In telling us the “leyendas” that contributed to Latin American music and dance, Más Flow created their own legend, one that will continue for generations of students to come.

Natalia Diaz is a member of the Class of 2027 and a contributing writer for The Prospect. She can be reached at nd6595@princeton.edu.

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