Kings Regional Traditional Folk Arts

Kings Regional Traditional Folk Arts is a nonprofit that runs the Kings Cultural Center at 14054 Front Street in Armona, California, serving youth in Kings and Fresno counties. Opened in February 2006, it exists to expand artistic opportunities for young people, instil cultural pride and broaden understanding of heritage through folklorico dance, mariachi music, Hawaiian and Polynesian dance, hip hop and drawing. Its resident group Ballet Folklorico Sol del Valle began in 1994 in director Consuelo G. Medina's backyard with ten students and now has more than seventy members, performing regional repertoire from Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, Veracruz, Durango, Yucatan, Sonora, Baja California, Sinaloa and more. Folklorico is taught from age 4 through high school in graded levels, with an adult class offered; Hawaiian dance covering hula and Tahitian is open to all ages; hip hop and jazz funk serve ages 8 to 13. No experience is required for any class. The center also offers mariachi instrument tuition, free community English classes, and closes each season with a Dia de los Muertos event.