Fund-Raiser Planned for Folklorico Group

The Housing Authority of the city of Los Angeles will hold its second annual fund-raiser tonight to benefit a ballet folklorico group made up entirely of students living in the San Fernando Gardens apartment complex.

Money raised at the benefit, which will include performances of the ballet folklorico as well as singers and mariachi and marimba bands, will help pay for uniforms and instruction for the group, said Mario Matute, project director at the San Fernando Gardens community center.

“This group performs all over the city and they are really very good,” said Matute. “It is free and there is only one requirement to join folklorico: The kids must maintain an excellent record in school, all A’s and Bs.”

San Fernando Gardens, with 448 units, is the largest public housing complex in the San Fernando Valley.

The group, which will perform regional dances of Vera Cruz for the fund-raiser, has 26 members between the ages of 6 and 14.

In the past, the San Fernando Gardens group has won first place in the Folklorico Valley Contest and the Housing Authority Talent Show.

Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) and representatives from Mayor Richard Riordan’s office and the Housing Authority are expected to attend the event, which will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. at Leonardo’s restaurant, 1422 San Fernando Road in San Fernando.

Tickets are $15 general and $10 for children. For more information, call (818) 361-7972.