BALLET FOLKLORICO “ARCO IRIS” A Valley Treasure

Contributed by Nora Feldman, Youth Arts Editor

Alicia Estrada has been dancing most of her life - - or at least for 34 years of it.  Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, her love for dance began at an early age. Ms. Estrada made California her home 18 years ago. She attended school and college in Mexico, has a BA in Social Work and is currently working towards her BA in Psychology at Pierce College.

Six years ago, Alicia found there was a need for kids to have an activity after school to keep them occupied - - her own elementary school-age daughter was wanting for something to fill the time after school. Programs were few and far between, some of them more expensive than the families living in the area could afford for their children. And so, the idea of Ballet Folklorico “Arco Iris,” a dance class available for all who wanted to dance, was born. (This was before the after-school LAUSD LEARN program was in existence.)

Alicia wanted to develop a class that would be more than a dance or folk dance class; she wanted a class that would challenge students physically, as well as educate them in the rich culture and history of Mexico that they share in common as they continue the dance of their ancestors. In addition, she made the classes inexpensive in order to offer an activity that would be affordable for families who wanted to attend.

The class is comprised of students, ranging in age from as young as six years-old through middle school age, with some older students and parents participating as well. Class is divided into smaller beginner and advanced groups, giving everyone personal attention and instruction, so that all can learn at their own pace. Students come to participate in the class from neighboring schools such as Lankershim Elementary, Fair Avenue Elementary, Van Nuys Elementary, Walter Reed Middle School, Van Nuys Middle School, as well as from the community at large - - some students have even found their way from the nearby communities of Burbank and Glendale.

Alicia designs and creates many of the costumes herself, with assistance from seamstresses. These colorful costumes are embellished with a great deal of delicate hand embroidery, the application of which is incredibly time consuming.

In addition to classes, Ballet Folklorico “Arco Iris” has performed several recitals and at many community events over the years at schools, churches, multi-cultural fairs, the Los Angeles Board of Education, and has appeared for the last three years as guest artists at the annual NoHo Theatre & Arts Festival Kids Kourt Stage.

Currently, classes are held Wednesday and Friday afternoons, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Lankershim Elementary School while the Oxnard Elementary School Auditorium is undergoing renovation, which should be completed in early 2005. The cost of the class is $25 per month.

The name “ARCO IRIS” means rainbow in Spanish and how fortunate local school children are to have such a special dance class, created just for them, available in this diverse cultural rainbow of a melting pot, North Hollywood. Lucky too is the community that is able to share in the BALLET FOLKLORICO “ARCO IRIS” experience.

For further information about BALLET FOLKLORICO “ARCO IRIS” please call Alicia Estrada at (818) 993-1203.