In 2025, Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro celebrates its 16th anniversary. Since its humble beginnings in July 2009, the group has been committed to the performing and visual arts, and this milestone marks a journey of growth and success.
The ballet company has grown from a small startup community group to a prominent California nonprofit performing arts dance company in the Mexican folk-dance sector. Through unwavering dedication of their dance students and parents, Ballet Folkorico Costa de Oro has successfully expanded to collaborate with three local school districts—San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Hayward—through the San Leandro Boys & Girls club afterschool programs.
“We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated dancers, parents and supportive partners who have been integral to our success throughout this journey,” said Benny Murrieta Valles, artistic director. “This anniversary celebration signifies not only the years of hard work and determination, but also the immense potential that lies ahead for us.”
In celebration of this milestone, Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro has planned a series of commemorative events for 2025. Festivities will be kicking off on Saturday, March 29, with three Northern California elite Mexican folk dance companies: Ballet Folklorico Mexico Danza-Hayward, Ballet Folklorico Nube de Oro-Sacramento, and Proyecto Folklorico de Sacramento, together on stage for the first-ever Alegria del Folklore Mexicano Festival.
The next day, March 30, three youth companies—Mexico Danza-Hayward, Grupo Tlapali – Livermore, and BF Costa de Oro’s youth ensemble—will put on a Fiesta de Los Ninos concert. Both concerts will be performed at the San Leandro Performing Arts Center. Other anniversary events include the Northern California debut of Recuerdos de Mexico (Memories of Mexico) in October at the Douglas Morrison Theater.
Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro was founded in San Lorenzo by Steven J. KoneffKlatt, wife Siliva K, and childhood friend Benny Murrieta Valles, educating children, teenagers and adults in the art of folkloric and ballet, meshing ancient Mexican style with the classical dance. Its ongoing mission is to preserve traditional Mexican culture and dance, and share their work with the community.
Founding director Steven J. KonneffKlatt, who has since passed away, was known for saying, “One of the greatest things about ballet folklorico and this display of Mexican culture is that it is not exclusive to Latinos or even to just Mexicans…You see people of all races, ages and walks of life performing in this group.” The company still provides all costumes through community donations, according to his original vision of supporting dancers.
Valles says, “The biggest challenge facing Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro is not having a dance studio now. Classes are held in collaboration with the City of San Leandro parks and recreation department at the San Leandro Senior Community Center…It is the goal to seek and have a dance studio within the next two years. Fundraising will begin soon, but for now, we are blessed to have a center where we can provide classes to the community in a safe environment.”
Alegria del Folklore Mexicano
Saturday, Mar. 29
7pm
Tickets: $25
Sunday, Mar. 30
Fiesta de Los Ninos
2pm
Tickets: $20
San Leandro Performing Arts Center
San Leandro High School
2250 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro
Tickets available at the door, or by calling 510.686.0335.
