La Fiesta

The musical journey of “La Fiesta” is designed to take the viewer through the day in the life of a bull fighter, from entrance into the ring, pre-fight rituals, and the fight to the death.

An internet search provides a wealth of visual possibilities. We suggest that you design your backdrops as if the audience is sitting in the bullfighting arena. You could create one continuous curved backdrop (make sure it is a least 8 steps behind your largest drill set. Or create arches and gates for each yard line. Don’t forget the festive bunting – especially in your pit area.

Your next decision is also crucial. Your auxiliary will play an integral part in presenting your show. Would you like them to portray matadors? If you have an all-female auxiliary, you may wish them to dress as female spectators. You would then have the opportunity to use additional performers (male and female) to take on the part of matadors.

The modern bullfight is highly ritualized, with three distinct stages, the start of each event, which is announced by a bugle sound. At the sound of the horn, participants enter the arena in a parade to salute the presiding dignitary, accompanied by band music. Next, the bull enters the ring to be tested for ferocity by the matador with the magenta and gold cape. Next, a picador enters the arena on horseback armed with a lance. At this point, the picador stabs just behind the mound of muscle on the fighting bull's neck, weakening the neck muscles and leading to the animal's first loss of blood. In the next stage, matador attempts to plant two sharp barbed sticks into the bull's shoulders. These anger and invigorate, but further weaken, the bull. In the final stage, the matador re-enters the ring alone with a small red cape and a sword. The matador uses his cape to attract the bull in a series of passes which serve the dual purpose of wearing the animal down for the kill and producing a beautiful display. It ends with a final series of passes in which the matador attempts to maneuver the bull into a position to stab it between the shoulder blades and through the aorta or heart. If the matador has performed particularly well, the crowd may petition the president to award the matador an ear of the bull by waving white handkerchiefs. If his performance was exceptional, he will award two. This description can be used as your storyline. Feel free to embellish and develop your own personal bullfight saga.

Other Options for “La Fiesta”:

1) In internet search of the term “Ricortes” gives an alternative to traditional bull fighting.

2) “La Fiesta” means “The Festival” – you could present a fun and colorful day of celebration.