Reinforcing Cultural Identity Conference

Conference Dates:

August 19th - 23rd, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

About the Event

The Reinforcing Cultural Identity Conference highlights the teaching of traditional dance and music of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, disseminating its historical, cultural, and social context. By inviting the true cultural bearers and keepers of the traditions from Veracruz to serve as conference instructors, in dance and music, local Latinx and Mexican immigrant community members and those from multi-ethnic populations will have the unique opportunity to foster a deeper understanding from the masters in these art forms.

The Conference will take place in the cities of Watsonville and Aptos in Santa Cruz County. Esperanza del Valle (EDV) and Cabrillo College’s Visual, Applied and Performing Arts Department will be hosting Prof. Daniel del Valle Hernandez, Artistic Director of the Ballet Folklorico del Puerto de Veracruz de la Universidad Veracruzana (UV), twenty UV dancers and eight university musicians, who make up the musical group Nematatlin, to teach, disseminate and perform the rich, cultural dance and music traditions of Veracruz, Mexico.

The conference will be multifaceted with a variety of offerings for youth, teens, students, adults/seniors and the community at large such as:

Dance Classes- Beginning, intermediate and experienced level dance classes for youth & adults, teaching the following dance style: Son Jarocho from the Port City of Veracruz and Boca del Rio

Master Professional Dance Seminar- For advanced adult dancers and directors of folklorico groups.

Music Classes- Offered by Nematatlin musicians in jarana, requinto/guitar, violin, and versada jarocha/voice. These classes are for youth and adults.

Advanced Online Tickets:

Youth Beginner - Adult Advanced Dance: $100

Single purchase ticket grants 1 individual dancer a 4-day conference pass to the age and dance experience level selected. This pass does not grant you access to the Master Professional Dance 3-day series.

Master Professional Dance: $175

Single purchase ticket grants 1 individual dancer access to the Master Professional Dance 3-day series. This pass does not grant you access to the Adult Beginner-Advanced, nor the Youth Beginner-Advanced series.

Music Courses (All ages & experience levels): $100

Single purchase ticket grants 1 individual musician a 4-day conference pass to the age and music concentration selected. This pass does not grant you access to other music concentrations.

Tickets at the Door:

Youth Beginner - Adult Advanced Dance: $150

Single purchase ticket grants 1 individual dancer a 4-day conference pass to the age and dance experience level selected. This pass does not grant you access to the Master Professional Dance 3-day series. Sales end after the first day of the conference.

Master Professional Dance: $225

Single purchase ticket grants 1 individual dancer access to the Master Professional Dance 3-day series. This pass does not grant you access to the Adult Beginner-Advanced, nor the Youth Beginner-Advanced series. Sales end after the first day of the conference.

Music Courses (All ages & experience levels): $150

Single purchase ticket grants 1 individual musician a 4-day conference pass to the age and music concentration selected. This pass does not grant you access to other music concentrations.

Conference passes are valid for the courses within your age and expertise level. Passes cannot be exchanged or refunded. Refunds will only be provided upon course cancellation. Course location varies depending on age and expertise level—you will be notified where your courses will take place prior to the conference, along with requirements for attire.