2023 Performers

MOSAIC America

Mexican Folklórico: Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí

Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí (EFC) is a Mexican folklore dance group. Under the artistic directorship of Arturo Magaña, EFC has the mission to promote the pride of identifying as an LGBTQ+ Latinx through the art of Mexican Folklórico dance. Their mission also seeks to preserve their costumes and traditions through cultural and educational projects, lectures as well as staged performances.

Indian Folk: Xpressions Dance

Established in 2002, San Jose based Dance Group - Xpressions is celebrating its 20th year of Artistic Excellence. They are recognized as the most dynamic dance group in the Bay Area that explores and presents Dances of India including Folk, Bollywood and Semi-Classical styles. Led by Artistic Director, Srividya Eashwar, Xpressions dancers take great pride in presenting traditional choreography blended with new techniques that helps a diverse audience understand and connect with their performances. Xpressions’ spirited, award winning teams of dancers have performed at various local fundraisers, city, school and community events including multiple times at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. Xpressions is the only Indian Dance Group to collaborate with different cultural dance groups and present by combining styles.

Drummer: Mike Fair

Mike Fair has been studying Hand Drums since 1994 with various teachers of percussion instruments such as the Egyption Tabla, Riq & North African Tar (frame drums) and West African djembe. He has performed with several bands in the rhythm section of Arabic & African centered music and has facilitated drum circles in cities from San Francisco to Holister.

Hip Hop/Jazz Ensemble: Francis Experience

Jonathan Borca is the Deputy Director for the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, and an Arts Commissioner for the City of San Jose who performs under the stage name "Francis Experience" in various ensemble formats that include different art forms and elements of storytelling. For State of the Valley, Francis Experience will perform vignettes dramatizing lived experiences of local community members who face some of our most common challenges. The lineup will consist of Jonathan Borca (rap), Esther Young (vocals), Bennett Roth (keys), Gabby Horlick (drums), Danny Gerz (bass), Abe Quecan (guitar), Lidia Rodriguez (sax/flute), Byron Hogan (cello), Yosimar Reyes (poetry), and Alexis Williams (dance).