A free “profile performance” will be staged on May 9 for the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission’s Artist of the Year Janet Johns.
For 45 years, dancer and choreographer Johns has been a leader of Esperanza del Valle, a folkloric dance group from Pajaro Valley. She received numerous awards and proclamations from the City of Watsonville, as well as the Gail Rich Award and a Calabash Award in 2001 for Excellence in the Ethnic Arts.
Her dance company also donates their time to scores of local charities and events every year.
“I feel very honored and very humbled to have been recognized,” Johns said. “There are so many incredible artists in Santa Cruz County. This is perfect timing, with our 45-year anniversary right now.”
According to the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission, the Artist of the Year Award is presented for outstanding achievement in the discipline of performing, visual, and literary arts.
Nominees must be a resident of Santa Cruz County and must have a national or international reputation, and have contributed to the cultural enrichment of the local community, and created or presented work in Santa Cruz County.
The commission said that Johns has experienced firsthand the power of the arts for healing a community and bringing people together.
“Since she started learning folklorico dance at age 18 as a university student at San Jose State University, she learned from her mentor, Ramon Morones Ortiz, of Guadalajara, Mexico, the importance of learning authentic steps, style and choreography from master instructors and keepers of the traditions of Mexico,” the commission stated.
Johns moved to Watsonville in 1978 and began a career as a bilingual educator and co-founded Esperanza del Valle.
“I am so proud of what we have achieved; this award belongs to all of us,” Johns said. “We are all volunteers; none of us get paid. We do this because we are passionate.”
The free performance will feature Johns and Esperanza del Valle doing dances from around Mexico, including Vera Cruz, Nayarite and Jalisco. The show is scheduled for May 9 from 7-9pm at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus in Aptos. Tickets available at the door.
