News Release

Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble will perform "Fiesta de Mexico" at noon on Wednesday, March 5, in Shriver Hall Auditorium on The Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St. in Baltimore.

These exciting dancers recreate Mexico's rich history, traditions and culture by demonstrating Mexican dance styles as they explain their historical origins and regional differences. The beauty and vitality of their culture are brought alive through the colors of their costumes, derived from the vibrant plumage of the honored Quetzal bird.

Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble is Northern Virginia's premiere Mexican folkloric company, founded in Arlington, Va., in 1997 by artistic director and choreographer Laura Ortiz. Its aim is to preserve, research and promote Mexican folkloric traditions and culture through art, music and dance. Ortiz is also artistic director and choreographer for Georgetown University's Ballet Folklorico Mexicana de Georgetown and works with the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives. Local performances by Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble include the White House Millennium Around the World Celebration, the Smithsonian, GALA Hispanic Theatre, and the Gunston Arts Center in Arlington, Va.

This performance is part of the Wednesday Noon Series presented by The Johns Hopkins University Office of Special Events, now in its 37th season of cultural programming on the Homewood campus. Admission is free. For information, call the Office of Special Events at 410-516-7157.