26th Annual California Portuguese Folklore Festival

PORTUGUESE FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL COMES TO LOS ANGELES AREA
Portuguese Community Welcomes All of Southern California

Artesia, California – Ten folk dance groups from throughout the state will gather in the City of Artesia on October 11, 2008 for the 26th Annual California Portuguese Folklore Festival.

This event is being held in the Los Angeles area for the first time in ten years and will bring together various communities from San Diego to San Jose to celebrate the rich folkloric culture of Portugal. Scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm, the festival will kick off with a parade along Ashworth Street and will convene at the Artesia D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, 11903 Ashworth Street. Exhibitions of folk dance groups will follow throughout the afternoon featuring songs and dances from Portugal, Madeira and the Azores Islands. Festivities will continue through the evening with live band “Raça”, where attendees can dance the night away. Portuguese food, artwork and other articles will be available for sale through out the day. Admission is free.

The California Portuguese Folklore Festival is held each year in different cities throughout the sate of California. This year’s festival will be hosted by local folk dance group “Grupo Folclórico Retalhos Antigos”, who’s name loosely translates to “remnants of yore”. Based in Artesia, the group was founded in 1980 and is one of the oldest in California. It is comprised of over 40 members including dancers, musicians and singers, the majority of which are second and third generation immigrants who carry on the traditions of their parents and grandparents. The group performs at various cultural festivals and events throughout the year.

For more information, please call John Costa at (562) 754-4086 or e-mail costajo@verizon.net.