From the colorful music of Veracruz with its picturesque ribbon-tying ceremony to the fast steps and beautiful festive costumes of Jalisco, you will embark on a never to be forgotten journey through an extravaganza of joy that will provide a glimpse into the Mexican culture.

Ballet Folklorico "Bell Arts" was formed one year ago, hoping to share the culture of Mexico through its folklore. We began with first-time dancers filled with excitement, training in traditional Mexican folk dances and culture. Through this year we have grown from 8 to 25 dancers, ages 9 to 30-something. These people have found, through dance, that they have learned the value of hard work, dedication and, most importantly, self-worth. It has been very important to all involved in this group to stress the accessibility of these dance lessons to children of all races, beliefs, and culture. It is in this belief that we have based our group, and as such have been blessed with children willing to open their hearts to the Mexican culture and embrace it as if it were part of them.

For more information about lessons, please contact:
Rebecca Duran at rebeccasduran@yahoo.com or call 805-231-0761.
or Blanca Rodriguez, my_3angels805@yahoo.com or call 805-746-9751.

We practice Yoga every Friday 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Join us for a yoga-based stretch class focusing on symmetry and body alignment. No experience needed. Please bring your own mat. We will work barefooted. Beginners are welcome! For more information contact Della Addison at 805.746.2819 or email: della.addison@gmail.com

Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc is a community of people dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Mexica/Azteca culture, ceremonies, dances, accurate history and traditions. Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc works to build unity, understanding, mutual respect and harmony amongst all nations. We teach and practice Mexica/Azteca dances while learning the accurate and true history of our indigenous heritage, doings arts and crafts, studying the Sun Stone (Aztec calendar), studying and practicing the language of Nahuatl, Mexica/Azteca and Mayan math, building political consciousness and much more. Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc is an open circle where all are welcome to come and learn. There are no fees to learn, join, or practice with us. For more information call (805)804.6433.

T'ai Chi Chih is a practice of 19 gentle movements and one pose that focuses on developing Chi - the body's intrinsic energy. This moving meditation is performed softly and slowly. It is easy to learn and promotes balance, physical fitness, and inner calm. Most people are able to learn T'ai Chi Chih in about 10 lessons. Once learned, the full practice takes about 45 minutes to complete. The class meets in Bell Arts Factory's Community Room every Thursday from 12 noon - 1 pm. Beginners, practitioners familiar with T'ai Chi Chih, as well as participants of all physical abilities are welcome. Class is open to new students each week. Please wear socks.

Accredited Instructor, Lisa M. Otero, has been a student of T'ai Chi Chih for 17 years and an instructor since the year 2000.

Classes are free, however donations are greatly appreciated and support the instructor and the Bell Arts Factory Youth Arts Program.

Visit www.taichichih.org to learn more about T'ai Chi Chih, or e-mail lisa.otero@post.harvard.edu.

Poetry events hosted by local Ventura poet, Friday Lubina.

Every last Saturday of the month, beginning at 7:30 PM.

Described as "Saucy & Provocative", Friday's poetry is intended to connect with her audience through familiarity and humor inspired by food, sex, lousy relationships, and even good ones that she sabotages, purely for the inspiration their demise brings. She has been named one of The Most Influential Poets of Our Time and has been published in Caffeine and ARTLIFE, has sold out of her first chapbook of poetry and is painstakingly working on her second.

Friday has hosted many poetry events in Los Angeles and Ventura counties over the years, including the Poetry Slam at Lollapalooza in 1994, the LA Spoken - a poetry event attended by over 300 poets from the greater Los Angeles area in 1996, and is currently hosting, "Friday on Saturday" at the Bell Arts Factory in Ventura, the last Saturday of every month.

For more information contact: Friday Lubina at fridaylu@charter.net