This pair of dancing shoes was donated by Martha Gonzalez, the lead singer of Quetzal, a Mexican-American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Known as zapateados, the shoes are worn for Mexican dances that involve stamping and tapping feet against the ground to create rhythm. Purchased in Veracruz, Mexico, the shoes have a unique square toe, which Gonzalez claims is better for dancing. The shoes have a long history of use with significant wear from her performances. The shoes are accompanied by a small plywood stomp box, called a tarima. The tarima, with roots in both African and Mexican musical traditions, is used like a drum when the performer creates rhythms by tap dancing upon it.
Pair of Dancing Shoes, Zapateados
- Description
- This pair of dancing shoes was donated by Martha Gonzalez, the lead singer of Quetzal, a Mexican-American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Known as zapateados, the shoes are worn for Mexican dances that involve stamping and tapping feet against the ground to create rhythm. Purchased in Veracruz, Mexico, the shoes have a unique square toe, which Gonzalez claims is better for dancing. The shoes have a long history of use with significant wear from her performances.
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- date made
- ca 2000
- Credit Line
- Gift of Martha Gonzalez
- Physical Description
- NA (overall leather)
- NA (overall; outside thread)
- Measurements
- overall: 23 mm x 8.5 mm x 11 mm; 29/32 in x 11/32 in x 7/16 in
- Object Name
- Pair of dancing shoes
- Leather dancing shoes
