Baile de California

The 97^th anniversary of Santa Barbara’s first “Old Spanish Days Fiesta” has come and gone.  While Baile de California was both thrilled and honored to be chosen to perform for this year’s La Fiesta Pequeña, we, along with all the performers were disappointed to not experience the excitement of a full audience.  However, both the preshow and the entire show were recorded and may be seen on YouTube®.  The link to La Fiesta Pequeña 2021 is: https://youtu.be/disqb6SgAQw  You may also watch the televised La Fiesta Pequeña 2020 on YouTube®.  It features favorite performances of the past eight years including, Las Fiesteras dancing an Early California version of La Cachucha.  Six of the members of Las Fiesteras have continued to dance with Baile de California.  Here is the link to 2020, https://youtu.be/ji5lH35LTXo .

COVID-19 did not stop BdC from performing.  In addition to a scaled back Pequeña, we danced twice on the stage at Paseo Nuevo.  We were particularly excited to dance there as our good friend, Rafa Martel’s store, Viva Santa Barbara, is located there.  Rafa and his mom, Mely, have been good friends and supporters of BdC for several years.  Thank you, Viva Santa Barbara!

Baile de California started off Fiesta week by guest performing with (see photo above) La Boheme Dance Group at the beautiful and historic Rancho Santa Barbara.  We will let you know when the video of the event is available.  From there we went onto perform at six senior facilities in Goleta and Santa Barbara.  Although this was not the Fiesta we rehearsed and hoped for, it was incredible to bring the Fiesta Spirit to so many seniors who haven’t been able to be out in the public for 17 months.  We truly experienced the power and joy of dance!  And not to leave out Santa Barbara’s youngest citizens, we danced for First Presbyterian Church’s Early Childhood Center.  We had children as young as 14 months watching and swaying to the music.  We even performed for their church members after their Fiesta Sunday service at which our good friend, Tony Ybarra played guitar.

We have two big events coming up to finish the year off and would LOVE to have you join us.  First, the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum is having their 36^th annual Vaquero Show & Sale, November 13^th and 14^th.  BdC will be performing and teaching both days.  Check our Facebook page for details. 

Mark your calendars NOW for December 18^th & 19^th!  Once again, BdC will be the Guest Artists for the Christmas Revels show, An Early California Celebration of the Winter Solstice.  We are so excited to be back at the Lobero Theatre for the Revels annual event.  Auditions for dancers for the Revels company will be Sat., Oct. 2^nd at about 12:30.  Text me at 805-284.1274 for details.