Festival of Chicano Theater

The bilingual Inlakech Theatre Company of Oxnard will host the Fourth Annual Califas Chicano/Latino Theatre Festival Friday through Sunday at sites in Oxnard and Ventura. The event will feature performances by nine groups from California and Mexico as well as workshops, demonstrations and critiques on the diverse and unique aspects of Chicano/Latino theater.

The festival is a statewide organization established in 1989 by Teatro Inlakech’s founder-director Javier Gomez and others to promote traditional and original productions of Chicano/Latino theater.

“We will be presenting the best in community-based Chicano/Latino theater groups who have continued the legacy established by Luis Valdez and El Teatro Campesino in 1965: to educate and entertain,” said Gomez. Rooted in the Chicano Movement’s struggle for cultural and political justice, the spontaneous, largely improvised agit-prop style “teatro” used verbal and physical humor, many stock characters, and Aztec and Mayan mythical imagery to inspire pride and energize the public about community issues.

“It is with this spirit of endurance and commitment,” said Gomez, “that we celebrate this year’s festival.”

The following is a list of performances only.

* Oxnard: Friday, 7 p.m. Haydock Theatre Playhouse, 647 W. Hill St. Teatro Inlakech’s collective piece “The Trilogy,” featuring “Columbus Bash,” “Vietnam Blues” and “Garage Dogs.” Teatro Tortilla “College Me.” Teatro de la Comunidad “La Palabra” (The Word).

Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Ramona Center, 804 Cooper Road. Teatro Inlakech “Celebration.” Teatro Macehualli “Un Pais Feliz.” Teatrista ZOOT “Zoot.” Santa Barbara Theatre Company “Corridos” and “Romeo y Julieta.”

* Ventura: 7 p.m., Mayfair Theatre, 793 E. Santa Clara St. Three one-act plays by Teatro Rayos del Valle “Act of Justice. Teatro Vivo “Entre Los Angeles” (Within Los Angeles). Teatro Cometa “Unknown Chicano Acto.”

General admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children under age 12, and $12 for a family of six or more. For workshop or ticket reservation information, call 486-7468.