Mexican-American dance group to perform

The Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Folklife Program for New Jersey will present "Guelaguetza!" featuring the Mexican American Organization Folkloric Dance Group at 1:30 p.m. on July 30 at the Crossroads Theatre, 7 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick.

The group will perform a variety of dances from the seven regions of the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico that are traditionally associated with the Guelaguetza festival. Each dance will be accompanied by regional folk clothing and music.

A Zapotec word indicating an offering, Guelaguetza was the term used to describe the ceremony and celebration held each year in Oaxaca to appease the gods in return for a bountiful harvest. The ceremony took place midway through the rainy season, when it was essential that the rains continue moderately and without excess to bring forth the best crops. Today, the festival focuses on the arts and is held on the last two Mondays in July in the city of Oaxaca de Juarez.

The performance is offered free of charge; however, registration is required. To register and to request directions, call (732) 745-4489, (732) 745-3888 (TTY users only) or 711, via the New Jersey Relay System. Crossroads Theatre is an accessible site. An assistive listening system is available and will be in use during the program.

Funding for the program is provided in part by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.