With the women’s skirts flowing and the men leading their partners in a fluid hypnotic motion, the Ballet Folklorico Mestizo de Oxnard College preserves traditions of Mexico through music and dance.

On Sunday, April 5, the Ballet will help celebrate local Latino artists at the 16th Annual De Colores Art Show and Festival in Ventura.

The festival was established by Chicano musician and artist Xavier Montes to honor the work of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta and their contributions to the Latino community.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Montes. “We have a nice gallery in one of the most beautiful areas around. To have a tropical place like the Mexican Coast is ideal.”

“It’s very exciting, it’s always been a great activity for us,” said Sanchez. “We’ll be dancing with the ocean as our backdrop. It will be beautiful.”

The 16th Annual De Colores Art Show and Festival will be held on April 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Artists Union Gallery at 330 South California Street.

The festival will be on the California Street Plaza and Promenade just outside the Gallery.

The Ballet Folklorico Mestizo de Oxnard College will be dancing traditional folkdances from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Veracruz at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

However, if you miss their performance at the De Colores Art Show and Festival , they will be dancing 24 different numbers from six regions in Mexico at their Spring Dance Concert on April 24 and 25 at The Forum (LA-6) at Oxnard College.