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Our Mission

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Many groups expect you to already know how to dance, or to have grown up doing it—we don’t expect that here. BFLJDM exists so any UCSD student can learn these dances, no matter what they walked in already knowing. There's something beautiful about keeping a tradition alive together, especially for people who never felt fully connected to their culture growing up. You don't have to have grown up around folklórico for it to mean something to you now.

And somewhere along the way, most of us end up with friends for life—people we met at a random Wednesday practice who are still around years later.

All backgrounds are welcome!

Regardless of background and dance experience, you are invited to join us.

Technique

We teach steps and the history behind various regions. This year we will be learning Jalisco, Veracruz, Sinaloa Mestizo, Chihuahua, Colima, and much more!

Judgement Free

Most people who join have never done folklórico before. That's what we expect—we're here to help each other grow, with patience and kindness.

Performances

You'll get to dance on stage—we perform several times a year, so there's always an opportunity to showcase your talent when you're ready.

Lifelong Friends

Practice has a way of turning into some of the closest friendships you'll make at UCSD.

Reconnect with your culture

For a lot of our members, this is the closest they've felt to their culture—even if they didn't grow up immersed in it.

Our Story & History

Before BFLJDM officially became an org, students got together and danced folklórico independently on campus, starting as early as 1979, all the way up until BFLJDM's official founding in 2003.

Sergio Bernal and his now wife, Nancy Bernal

2003

BFLJDM becomes an official org.

A group of freshmen began the process of officially founding the group. BFLJDM is a play on words of La Jolla, translating to the Jewels—or Joyas—of Mexico. It was a grassroots effort from day one: the group held taco fundraisers on Library Walk, with proceeds going toward the first set of vestuarios (costumes). That first year, the group focused on the regions of Jalisco and Sinaloa.

Year 2

Growing The Repertoire.

BFLJDM's second year added Veracruz, Baja California, and Nayarit to its growing list of regions. There were plenty of sleepless nights making headpieces—members even drove to Tijuana on weekends to pick up costumes from seamstresses and an alumna's aunt.

Alumni Story

The Dancing Horse

"My senior year, for 5 de Mayo, I brought a dancing horse for the show at Price Center. I'd been involved with folklórico and charreadas throughout high school in El Centro, CA, and one of my close friends had the dancing horse! It was a fun experience trying to get permission to bring a horse to campus—I went to so many different offices, and none of them knew what it would take. It wasn't until the dean just said, "Do it, and we'll see what happens!" So I did. That was definitely a highlight of 5 de Mayo. I ended up giving rides to a few students in between classes!" - Sergio Bernal

Today

Still Uniting UCSD Students

BFLJDM continues to perform at campus events and community festivals, welcoming new dancers every quarter. Some of our most popular performances are Muir DDLM, December Nights at Balboa Park, Ticitozaa, and our annual spring showcase! Performing is not mandatory to be considered an active member of the org.