©(AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What kind of place would you enjoy dancing in? Why?
- What do you think makes a place feel safe and welcoming for everyone?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- citywide /SIT-ee-wahyd/
- botanical /buh-TAN-i-kuhl/
- professional /pruh-FESH-uh-nl/
- atmosphere /AT-muhs-feer/
- attendee /uh-ten-DEE/
[adjective] – happening or existing throughout an entire city
A citywide festival was held to celebrate the town’s 100th anniversary.
[adjective] – related to plants or the study of plants
We visited a botanical garden to learn about rare tropical plants.
[adjective] – related to a job that requires special education, training, or skill
The school invited a professional chef to give a cooking workshop.
[noun] – the feeling or mood in a place or situation
The restaurant had a warm and friendly atmosphere that made guests feel at home.
[noun] – someone who goes to a place, event, etc.
All attendees received a free welcome kit at the conference.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 4 p.m., a dance event was held at a glass-walled pavilion in Bosque de Chapultepec, one of the biggest parks in Mexico City. The gathering was organized by the Nueva Red de Bailadores (NRB) and brought together over 300 people of all ages, including teenagers, families, and seniors. The NRB began nine years ago as a small meeting in someone’s apartment and has now grown into a citywide movement. Its goal is to offer a free, safe, and welcoming place where anyone can dance without fear of judgment, harassment, or discrimination. Since it started, the group has hosted around 300 dance events in unusual spaces like old factories and botanical gardens.
NRB events do not include alcohol, entrance fees, or professional security. Instead, they focus on shared responsibility and a respectful atmosphere. The organizers work with museums and government groups to get the technical support needed for each event. Music played at the gatherings is very diverse, ranging from experimental jazz to Egyptian hip-hop and electronic cumbia. Many attendees describe the events as freeing and even cathartic. Both experts and members believe NRB’s success comes from the strong connection between online promotion and real-life involvement. The group is praised for building an egalitarian, innovative, and harmonious space where dance brings people together.
NRB events do not include alcohol, entrance fees, or professional security. Instead, they focus on shared responsibility and a respectful atmosphere. The organizers work with museums and government groups to get the technical support needed for each event. Music played at the gatherings is very diverse, ranging from experimental jazz to Egyptian hip-hop and electronic cumbia. Many attendees describe the events as freeing and even cathartic. Both experts and members believe NRB’s success comes from the strong connection between online promotion and real-life involvement. The group is praised for building an egalitarian, innovative, and harmonious space where dance brings people together.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- How many people joined the event in the park?
- Who organized the dance gathering?
- What is the main goal of the NRB events?
- What kind of places does NRB use for their events?
- What kinds of music can people hear at NRB gatherings?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever joined a dance event or party? If yes, what kind of music did they play? If no, would you like to join one someday? Why or why not?
- Have you ever visited a big park in your city or town? If yes, what did you do there? If not, where do you usually go to relax or have fun?
- Do you agree that music and dance can help people from different backgrounds come together?
- Why do you think the NRB doesn’t allow alcohol or charge money for their events?
- What are some possible challenges in organizing events without tickets, alcohol, or security?