BALLET FOLKLORICO "Bell Arts"

From the colorful music of Veracruz with its picturesque ribbon-tying ceremony to the fast steps and beautiful festive costumes of Jalisco, you will embark on a never to be forgotten journey through an extravaganza of joy that will provide a glimpse into the Mexican culture.

Ballet Folklorico "Bell Arts" was formed one year ago, hoping to share the culture of Mexico through its folklore. We began with first-time dancers filled with excitement, training in traditional Mexican folk dances and culture. Through this year we have grown from 8 to 25 dancers, ages 9 to 30-something. These people have found, through dance, that they have learned the value of hard work, dedication and, most importantly, self-worth. It has been very important to all involved in this group to stress the accessibility of these dance lessons to children of all races, beliefs, and culture. It is in this belief that we have based our group, and as such have been blessed with children willing to open their hearts to the Mexican culture and embrace it as if it were part of them.

For more information about lessons, please contact:
Rebecca Duran at rebeccasduran@yahoo.com or call 805-231-0761.
or Blanca Rodriguez, my_3angels805@yahoo.com or call 805-746-9751.

DANZA MEXICA CUAUHTEMOC

Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc is a community of people dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Mexica/Azteca culture, ceremonies, dances, accurate history and traditions. Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc works to build unity, understanding, mutual respect and harmony amongst all nations. We teach and practice Mexica/Azteca dances while learning the accurate and true history of our indigenous heritage, doings arts and crafts, studying the Sun Stone (Aztec calendar), studying and practicing the language of Nahuatl, Mexica/Azteca and Mayan math, building political consciousness and much more. Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc is an open circle where all are welcome to come and learn. There are no fees to learn, join, or practice with us. For more information call (805)804.6433.

CAPOEIRA BATUQUE CLASSES

The longest standing Capoeira Academy in Southern California
Power, Agility, Strength, Music, Drumming

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-8:30 PM

Capoeira is an art form born of the uncrushable human desire for the freedom of expression and self-determination. In the Brazilian context, Capoeira was formed from its root art forms in African martial arts, dance, music and ritual, developing a unique artistic tradition that was employed in the struggles for liberation from slavery. This art has been handed down by generation after generation of dedicated masters, many of whom faced persecution, imprisonment and torture as punishment for being practitioners. It is a highly expressive art form which is powerful in its ability to connect the artist with both their own creative potential and to centuries of tradition in the African Diaspora and Latin-American culture.

An average class includes warmups, stretching, learning new movements, group exercises, partner exercises and music.

Learn more about the classes.

FRIDAY ON SATURDAY

Poetry events hosted by local Ventura poet, Friday Lubina

Every last Saturday of the month, beginning at 7:30 PM

Described as "Saucy & Provocative", Friday's poetry is intended to connect with her audience through familiarity and humor inspired by food, sex, lousy relationships, and even good ones that she sabotages, purely for the inspiration their demise brings. She has been named one of The Most Influential Poets of Our Time and has been published in Caffeine and ARTLIFE, has sold out of her first chapbook of poetry and is painstakingly working on her second.

Friday has hosted many poetry events in Los Angeles and Ventura counties over the years, including the Poetry Slam at Lollapalooza in 1994, the LA Spoken - a poetry event attended by over 300 poets from the greater Los Angeles area in 1996, and is currently hosting, "Friday on Saturday" at the Bell Arts Factory in Ventura, the last Saturday of every month.

For more information contact: Friday Lubina at fridaylu@charter.net