In celebration of 50 years of excellence, the Moorpark College Foundation hosted “El Bracero: A Mariachi Opera” on Friday, Aug. 26 in the Performing Arts Center.

“El Bracero” featuring Mariachi Agulias de Oxnard is a one-act performance set in the 1950s combining traditional mariachi, ballet folkloric and powerful opera music.

Paola Soliz, 18-year-old history major, was in the audience for the opera and described the performance with such excitement and honor.

“The opera was such a beautiful thing to experience,” said Soliz. “Seeing my culture represented in the most beautiful way possible, from mariachi singers to ballet folkloric, was so mesmerizing.”

Having been a part of a ballet folkloric team as a child, Soliz felt her appreciation for the production was much more because of her own experience in folkloric dance.

“I’m just so happy the Mexican-American culture was shown in such a beautiful way,” said Soliz.

Sarah Zia,18-year-old political science major, another audience member was excited that the Mexican-American culture was being protrayed in an extremely beautiful and unique light.

“I often feel that the Mexican-American cultural/traditional history is often overlooked on,” said Zia. “You don’t really see much of this side of the culture being celebrated as much as it should be or even given their proper celebrations.”

Autumn Campbell, 18-year-old psychology major, says the most captivating part for her were the dancers.

“The way they portrayed their clothes within the music was so interesting,” said Campbell. “Their flexibility and technique of their footwork was so impressive considering how much wardrobe they had to wear.”

According to Campbell, the dancers, alongside the whole performance, were able to captivate the audience.

“The performers were able to represent the culture extremely well,” said Campbell. “Even more so with the audience, they were able to get their eyes to be more appreciative towards the culture.”

Campbell was ecstatic and impressed with the show. The mix of those two settings really meshed well together, said Campbell.

“The show was a great way to teach people that you have to follow your own dreams rather than others because it becomes stressful trying to follow other people’s dreams for you rather than yourself,” said Campbell.

The show’s overall intention was to teach the importance of the Mexican-American culture that is often overlooked or pushed aside. Shown by the audience’s reaction, this was definitely achieved.