Baile de California

Baile de California was founded in May 2013 to preserve the unique cultural history of California through music and dance. It functions both as a performing company and an educational institution, teaching dance while sharing the culture of the people, time, and place the dances originated from. Many of its dances reflect Santa Barbara's California Rancho period, alongside other historic cultural dances such as Chinese fan dance, Japanese folk dances, dances inspired by Isadora Duncan, and choreography by Santa Barbara Fiesta legend José Manero. The group has been a Teaching Artist with the Children's Creative Project since its founding and has performed for numerous organizations including the Fielding Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara Woman's Club, P.E.O. International, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Goleta Women's Service Club. They regularly perform at California State Historic Parks including El Presidio de Santa Bárbara and the Petaluma Adobe, as well as at California Missions events. The group's inspiration was Las Fiesteras Dance Group, founded in 1934 by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, which performed until disbanding in 1987. Founder/Director Diana Replogle-Purinton is a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO) and an ambassador with the National Dance Federation. The group currently rehearses at the Goleta Valley Community Center on Saturdays and at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara on Monday evenings.