Santa Maria Sun / Art

Bringing the talent

Viva el Art de Santa Barbara has done it big this time. The local performing arts nonprofit has invited New York’s leading Latino dance company Ballet Hispanico to the Central Coast for an artistic residency and outreach.

The professional dance troupe will bring a score of performing dancers for a series of free public concerts to be performed on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road in Goleta and Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Guadalupe City Hall Auditorium, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. Each concert is a free community event.

The skilled dancers will also be sharing their style with interested dancers at a series of “Latin Social Dance Classes,” which include a Jan. 10 class from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at La Cumbre Junior High, 2255 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara; Jan. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, 600 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria; Jan. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. at El Pradrecito’s Dance Studio, 950A Guadalupe St., Guadalupe; and Jan. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Santa Barbara Junior High, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara.

Ballet Hispanico’s education coordinator, Franchesca Marisol Cabrera, will also be joining Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara by going into local schools to teach kids the art of dance in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Guadalupe. More info: 884-4087, Ext. 7 or myspace.com/vivaelartedesantabarbara.