THE 4TH ANNUAL FCUSA-FOLKLORICO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SLATED FOR LAS VEGAS AUGUST 9, 2008.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 6, 2008.

WHO: Founded by acclaimed actor, writer and producer Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler, Latino Literacy Now (LLN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy in the Latino community while advancing the cause of reading as a means of self-fulfillment and improvement. LLN operates the Latino Book & Family Festivals, a series of free community events in major Hispanic markets, and the annual International Latino Book Awards honoring Latino authors.

 

WHAT:  4th Annual Folklorico Challenge USA (FCUSA) national finals (2nd Annual Las Vegas Open FCUSA. Folklórico Challenge USA (FCUSA) competitions were conducted in three age groups in Houston, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in 2007. More than 100 groups participated in these regional competitions watched by more than 40,000 Folklórico dance aficionados. The regional winners (9) - and the three returning champions from the 2007 finals competition which was also held at the Palace Station last September - will now be competing for the National Championships. The following groups are scheduled to compete:

Defending Champions (from the 2007 National Championships, 09/08/2007)
· Juniors (up to age 10): Ballet Folklorico Cultural
· Seniors (ages 11-17): Grupo Folklorico Cristal de Los Angeles
· Adult (ages 18 and up): Ballet Folklorico Orgullo Mestizo

2007 Regional Winners
Juniors
· Ballet Folklorico De Carolina (A) · Las Vegas Regional - 09/08/2007
· Ballet Folklorico Las Estrellitas · Los Angeles Regional - 10/13/2007
· Ballet Folklorico Azteca · Houston Regional - 09/29/2007

Seniors
· Ballet Folklorico Guerrerence · Las Vegas Regional - 09/08/2007
· Huntington Park Dance Company · Los Angeles Regional  - 10/13/2007
· Edinburg Folkloric Dance Team · Houston Regional - 09/29/2007

Adult
· Ballet Xyachimal · Las Vegas Regional - 09/08/2007
· Sol Luna Ballet of Bakersfield · Los Angeles Regional  - 10/13/2007
· Ballet Folklorico Mixteco · Houston Regional - 09/29/2007

In addition, to the national finals, LLN will concurrently host the 2008 Las Vegas Open Folklorico Challenge USA. Last year's inaugural competition was exciting with three age group winners advancing to this year's National Finals competition.

Tanya MacKenna, a 16-year-old signer from Encinitas, CA, will also provide additional entertainment. Tanya has been singing since she was 8 and began performing in community events and talent competitions from San Diego to Los Angeles. Tanya won the Club SeaWorld Superstar Competition in 2004 and first place in this year's San Diego County Fair Super Star Competition, Teen Division.

Tickets are available for only $15.00 until June 13. After that date they will be on sale for $20.00. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the morning of August 9, also for $20.00.

WHEN:  Saturday, August 9, 2008. Time: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

 

WHERE: Palace Station Hotel/Casino, Salon A & B, 2411 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102.  Tel (702) 367-2411 or (800) 634-3101

 

Patricia Rodriguez, Tel 213-745-7717
Email: patricia@pochtecamedia.com