"Lightning from the Sky"

Relámpago del Cielo means “Lightning from the Sky” in Spanish. During each performance, dancers “bring the thunder” to audiences with intricate steps, radiant smiles and brilliant colors that transport everyone to traditions of the folkloric dance of Mexico.

Experience this journey with us at an upcoming performance.

Mission

Relámpago del Cielo, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural arts organization which supports the study and preservation of traditional Mexican performing arts through our music, folklore and dance. We will serve as a cultural enrichment service to the community through outreach presentations and educational activities. “Where the roots remain strong!”

"History of Relámpago del Cielo"

Enthralled by the music and movement learned in classes taught by Ms. Rosie Peña at Santa Ana College, a handful of her students more than 40 years ago, resolved to join forces in expanding their newly discovered appreciation of the folklore of Mexico.  Encouraged and guided by their enthusiastic instructor, their vision soon gained momentum with the recruitment of other equally-minded individuals. In 1975, this dream culminated in the formation of Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico with Ms. Rosie Peña as its founder.

The “Grupo”, not satisfied in simply learning the prescribed steps to the dances, felt the cultural inclination to learning the why and wherefore of this musical heritage. This need was met by the founding of Relámpago del Cielo, Inc. Through the advent of this cultural and artistic organization, an umbrella opened to accommodate the study of the history, geography and customs as well as the music of the varied regions of Mexico.  To date, the organization has not wavered from its original goal of preserving the Mexican tradition of dance and bears the privilege of being the oldest operating non-profit institution of its kind within the region and the largest in the United States. RDC takes pride in having been instrumental in the development of several dancers who have worked professionally both here and in other countries. Relámpago has also been instrumental in training various teachers who have now returned to their local communities to share their acquired knowledge and to occasionally form groups of their own. The “Grupo” is proud that some of its original members have returned to fill various positions within the organization and that there are some second and third generation dancers who are equally committed to foster the dream.

Over the decades, RDC has been a resource for thousands of people through various programs. The artists-in-school program traveled to various schools throughout the county to educate students and teachers about Mexican culture by exposing them to different regional music, folklore and art. Professional development for our faculty with our summer intensive in Mexico titled, “Mas Alla de Los Pasos,” further expanded our efforts to educate the community. In addition to this community outreach service, RDC has consistently offered low cost folklórico classes to individuals ages 3 to adult and at all levels of ability. Our students regularly perform for community organizations and cultural events throughout Orange and surrounding counties.

Relámpago del Cielo is the featured group for the annual Disney Holiday Show ¡Viva Navidad! and the Disney/Pixar show, “A Musical Celebration of Coco” for Dİa de los Muertos. Relámpago del Cielo is a non-profit organization that proudly receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council as well as other prestigious local businesses and arts organizations. It is also a proud recipient of the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award from ARTS OC. The desire to enrich their own as well as their audiences’ pride and cultural awareness has earned Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico the recognition and respect of colleagues in the United States and México. Relámpago del Cielo, Inc.: “Where the Roots Remain Strong.”