The Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz will take the stage at Beasley Coliseum for an evening of traditional Mexican dance and music.

Their name, “Quetzalli,” refers to a sacred bird known in Indian mythology as the Quetzal bird, renowned for its elegance and beauty.

The performance group from Veracruz, Mexico has performed around the world with colorful costumes, authentic live music and lively performances, said Katie Luna, executive director for Festival Dance.

Festival Dance is a non-profit organization located at the University of Idaho, organizing events like performance series, a dance academy and outreach programs to teach kids about other cultures through the arts.

“The best part is getting to watch the performers because they are so talented,” Luna said. “We’re learning about different cultures and parts of the world and bringing it to our community.”

Luna said students from third to sixth grade read a study guide in class about Mexico and its culture and traditions. Then the kids see a show, and the performers educate the kids about Mexican culture.

Steve Heath, Quetzalli’s artist representative, described the event as a celebration of regional fiestas around Mexico.

“Each region has its own tradition,” Heath said. “Baja, California is related to the cowboys and cattle traditions. Guerrero’s costumes are green and lots of earth tones. Each outfit has its own significance.”

The performance will feature twelve dancers and five musicians playing live music throughout the show. The show is divided into seven parts, each one based on traditional stories and music. The vocalists will sing, and the musicians will play various instruments, including harp, violin, guitar and jarana.

The group will perform the “Holy Week Celebration from the Tarahumara,” which involves dance as a method of prayer. In this way the Quetzalli honor their recent dead, receive blessings and ward off bad luck. They will also perform “Cattle Fiestas in Baja California,” which involves dancing energetically with the intent to kick up the largest cloud of dust possible.

“It’s going to be a good cultural learning experience with great music and dance,” Luna said.

The Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at Beasley Coliseum. Tickets are $16 for youths under 16, $20 for university students and $26 for adults. Tickets are available at the door, online and by phone. Visit festivaldance.org for more information.