Ballet Folklorico dancer wears a flowing costume of red, white and green.
Ballet Folklorico dancers will share the cultural heritage of Latin America. Credit: Courtesy photo

Top Mexican folk dance company Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles will hold three free public performances in Santa Barbara County, Oct. 13-15.

The performances are a part of ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva), a program dedicated to sharing the cultural heritage of Latin America with Santa Barbara County students and community members.

The public performances are as follows:

Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta.

Saturday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. at Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe.

Sunday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. at The Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St, Santa Barbara.

Founded in 2011 by artistic director Kareli Montoya, Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles tells stories of Mexican heritage through original choreography inspired by traditional folk dance forms.

The company achieved international recognition when it was featured in the 90th Academy Awards ceremony dancing in celebration of the Disney/Pixar film “Coco.”

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles has performed with Lila Downs, Pepe Aguilar and other leading mariachi ensembles such as Mariachi Divas and Mariachi Camperos.

With as many as 40 dancers on stage at once, their performances offer precision and a spirited expression of Mexican culture.

Viva is a collaboration between UCSB Arts & Lectures, Marjorie Luke Theatre, Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association.

For more about Viva el Arte, visit https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/learn/viva-el-arte-de-santa-barbara/.