St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico of Redlands Celebrate 40 Years by Kayla Sheldon - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events

St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico of Redlands Celebrate 40 Years

By Kayla Sheldon, Community Writer
November 24, 2014 at 02:22pm. Views: 61

St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico of Redlands invited the community to celebrate 40 years with a dance show consisting of five different acts on Saturday, Nov. 8. The first performance began at 3 p.m. at the Redlands Relay for Life, and the night performance began at 6 p.m. There was also a silent auction available to all attendees after the performances. Some of the dancers created paintings and arts and crafts pieces that were up for the auction. “We probably should have spaced the two performances farther apart because the silent auction got a lot of people’s attention because there were so many people still there from the first performance... we didn't know it'd be so popular,” Director of Instruction and Choreography Jenna Aguirre said. She estimated with the combination of both performances that about six-hundred people attended the events. “This was a big deal for us and we’re happy we got to share it with so many people from the community… they were all so enthusiastic,” she shared. Each performance varied from five different folklorico dance groups that ranged from five-year-old’s to young adults. The first dancers to perform were the ‘beginners group’, composed primarily of five-year-olds. The dancers got progressively older as the performances continued. Group four, composed of the oldest dancers, was made of those ages fifteen and up. The entire performance covered different regions of Mexico. According to Aguirre, each group covered a dance based on different time periods. For example, one group covered the time of the Mexican Revolution. The audience ranged from interested community members, families, and even past dancers and directors of St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico of Redlands. “All of the past five directors attended and we were able to acknowledge them in the middle of each performance,” Aguirre said. She also shared that some of the past dance members were seen in the crowd and acknowledged in front of the audience who gave them a round of applause. “It’s because of them that we are able to continue what we’re doing so we were so happy they were there so we could acknowledge them,” she said. The founders of St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico of Redlands have passed away: Petra Lopez and her nephew Jose Ruiz-De la Torre. “Between the two of them, this group was started.” All five of the past directors were able to attend: Mary Hernandez (Petra Lopez’s daughter), Delores Cortez (Jenna Aguirre’s mother), Elena Hernandez, Anna Gonzales, Matthew Cortez, and as well as the sixth and current director Ryan Rainbolt. Aguirre mentioned, “We were really excited that we were able to share our progress throughout the years… they were all able to see how we evolved and we were able to see some of the previous dancers and members.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 209

Moreno Valley residents are being invited to take an active role in shaping the city’s future, by serving on one of its Boards or Commissions, Mayor Ulises announced.

Photo Courtesy of: Loma Linda University Church

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 226

The student ensemble, directed by Michael Pichette, will be presenting a vespers program featuring reflective wind and percussion music that brings together students, families, and the local community.

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Titans

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 202

Young athletes with the Grand Terrace Titans Jr. All American Football & Cheer sit together and smile for a group photo during practice, wearing team uniforms and bows, representing teamwork, confidence, and community spirit.

Cheerleading events feature cheer competition performances, where our athletes showcased their routines, teamwork, and dedication.

The football events focus on time spent together both on and off the field, competing, training, building brotherhood, and strengthening team bonds through shared experiences.

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 203

Members of the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club welcome community members during one of their Bingo Game Nights, which raise funds to support local outreach efforts while bringing residents together for an evening of fun and fellowship.

Photo Courtesy of: Youtube: IE Pulse

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 267

Colton firefighters respond to a hazardous hydrogen‑fuel tank explosion, quickly securing the scene and preventing further danger to the surrounding neighborhood.

Photo Courtesy of: CUSM

By Cynthia Baker, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 239

Taken on July 22, 2025: The MD class of 2029 MD took the Hippocratic Oath and received their white coats, symbolizing entrance into the medical profession.
"This class brings the largest number of Inland Empire-based students to a CUSM MD class," said Paul Lyons, MD, President and Dean of California University of Science and Medicine. "It is core to our mission to support the communities of the Inland Empire in terms of education and health accessibility. Admitting qualified IE-based students is a major part of bringing our mission to life."

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Department of Public Health

By Stella Pierce, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 246

Airbud, a tan Shepherd-mix dog, happily jumps up to play with a handler during outdoor enrichment time at the shelter, showing his energetic and playful personality.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Stella Price, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 262

Illustrative image of a happy family outdoors with one dog and one cat, both shown wearing pet insurance tags. Moreno Valley Animal Services and MetLife Pet Insurance form a unique partnership in an effort to remove adoption barriers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Riverside, Fire Department

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 181

City of Riverside Fire Department officials and city leaders stand in front of a fire engine, cutting a red ribbon to unveil new PumpPod equipment, during an outdoor ceremony on a sunny day.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 145

An AI-rendered image showing a person wearing a hood and gloves removing a property tax payment envelope from a blue mail drop box during low light conditions.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 264

AI-generated image of a family of four sitting at a kitchen table, looking together at a laptop while holding CalFresh informational materials and an application form. The adults and children appear engaged and focused, suggesting they are reviewing or applying for food assistance benefits.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Angela Giacobbe, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 153

An energetic group of friends stand outdoors, smiling and embracing in a moment of connection and support. Staying proactive about health—including routine colon cancer screening—helps ensure more moments like these for years to come.

--> -->