Grupo Folklorico Quetzalen of Sonoma Valley marks 15 years of promoting Mexico’s traditional dances

Grupo Folklorico Quetzalen of Sonoma Valley, the community’s first Mexican folk ensemble, has an upcoming dance concert “Así Danzan Los Niños,” a production with over 50 student dancers who currently attend local schools.

Founded in May of 2008, the purpose of the organization is to support local schools, educational programs and nonprofit organizations through after school classes, workshops and performances year round.

The “Así Danzan Los Niños” event celebrates the ensemble’s 15th anniversary. There will be food and fun alongside the performance.

Students from kindergarten to seniors in high school participate in the ensemble, and wear costumes that represent 18 of Mexico’s 32 states. Other than dance, the ensemble seeks to educate, preserve and promote the splendor of Mexico's traditional dances, music and colorful costumes.

The organization also conducts outreach programs for the youth in the community to instill pride of their cultural heritage. They promote cultural education to diverse communities in Sonoma County.

The performance will take place on Sunday, April 23. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. and the dancers will come out at 4 p.m. Admission costs $10. The celebration will take place at Hanna Boys Center, located at 17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.