DanzArts presents “Pasos Y Palmas,” as its annual fundraiser for DanzArts Children’s Academy, a nonprofit dance organization that trains children between the ages of 3 and 12 in Mexican and Spanish dancing. Hosted along with Mariachi Garibaldi, cultural dances, including the Ballet Folklorico and Flamenco will be featured along with special guest artists Sin Fronteras Ballet Folklorico from Houston, Texas. Performances will take place on July 15 at 7 p.m. at the Coronado Center for the Performing Arts.
Under the artistic direction of creator and founder Patricia Astorga-Casey and the community outreach efforts of UTC resident Monica Ferraro, performers will present regional dances from Mexico including the areas of Tabasco, Jalsico, Veracruz, Revolucion, and Matlachines, as well as the Flamenco from the South of Spain, noting Andalucia, Martinete/Sigueria, Tangos, Tanguillos, and Bulerias. Sin Fronteras Ballet Folklorico will also showcase regional dances from Hidaldo, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, and Veracruz. 
Grounded in preserving Mexican and Spanish culture by raising awareness through dance, DanzArts offers three venues for those who seek theatrical performances. According to Ferraro, the DanzArts Children’s Academy trains its youthful participants in ballet, technique and footwork while teaching the art of dedication, discipline and teamwork. The academy performs throughout San Diego County. Sabor Mexico and La Esencia Flamenca Dance Company represent DanzArts as its two professional dance troupes. Sabor Mexico is a Ballet Folklorico Company while La Esencia Flamenca highlights the art of Flamenco dance, including live music which accompanies its talented dancers and singers. Sabor Mexico, a ballet Folklorico company, consists of more than 25 dancers trained in classical and modern dance. Along with its musicians, Sabor Mexico has performed with The San Diego Symphony and for the San Diego Padres. According to Ferraro, DanzArts is focused on securing itself as a cultural arts pillar within the San Diego community. “Being a part of the DanzArts family is exciting with numerous opportunities to bring Patricia’s vision of a world-class academy to fruition, she said. “Ultimately, we wish to share the vibrant plethora of Latin cultures with San Diego inner city neighborhoods and one day, the world!”
“Drawing on the culture of the Latino community, we present different regions of Mexico as each region is different,” continued Astorga-Casey. “Dancers are trained to perform theatrical dances in ballet, modern dance and technique for Mexican Folk Dancing and Flamenco. Offering community classes is our way of giving back. It’s rewarding to see the children learn and understand the culture behind the dances.”
“DanzArts would like to create a San Diego Hispanic Cultural Arts Center with culinary, music, arts and dance training courses for children and adults,” concluded Ferraro. “Our professional dance troupes will continue to perform at high-level events in San Diego and travel to sister city locations to bring San Diego to the rest of the United States.”