Over 500 performers from 33 dance companies from California, Washington & Nevada will showcase their best choreographies at one of DUF’s Showcase Concerts on April 11 & 12 at Warnors Center for the Performing Arts at 6 p.m. each evening. The lineup for the Showcase Concerts will be announced on Sunday, March 16  on the Danzantes Unidos website.  Tickets for general seating cost $30 and can be purchased online at www.danzantes.org/tienda or at the door. The Showcase Concerts will once again feature the participation of DUF Emcee, Blanca Araceli Soto.

Blanca Araceli Soto Is an accomplished actress, choreographer, director, producer and dancer. In 2017, she lent her voice and character EMCEE, to the 2018 OSCAR WINNER film Disney/Pixar’s “COCO”. Her versatility as an artist has allowed her to pursue multiple projects, including significant roles in ABC-The Conners”, NBC-“Mr. Mayor”, CBS – S.W.A.T, FX’s “The Bridge, “VEEP’, “For the People”, “AHS”, “Shameless,” “Young and Hungry,” “East Lost High,” “I’m Sorry” to mention some. Blanca Araceli has also appeared in several films: “Joy Ride” won the audience choice in the PBS Short film festival 2021. “They Call Us Sediciosos”, HBO “UNIMUNDO 45”, “Cristina,” “Feeding Mr. Baldwin,” and “Miss.Patti”.

For the past 30 years she also has worked in more than 100 plays in the USA, Mexico and Brazil. Her work was outstanding at Dallas Theater Center, The Garry Marshall Theater and Pasadena Playhouse, with the Role of Carmen, in Josefina Lopez’s play: “Real Women Have Curves”, and got the “Favorite Actress Award”, at the 29th Annual Fred Awards. Blanca Araceli, has received countless recognitions for her tireless work to promote the culture and folklore of Mexico and the World for more than 25 years, including the GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD for COMMUNITY IMPACT in 2019, “BE THE LIGHT” at Danzantes Unidos Festival 2022 & the most recent Latin American Motion Pictures Awards 2022. 

Since 1996, Ms. Araceli has been the director and choreographer of Tierra Blanca Dance Company in Los Angeles, California. Her passion for children led her to establish the Tierra Blanca Arts Center in 2002, and she has created several programs to help local talent to promote their culture, folk and tradition by bring quality theatrical performances, including Semblanza, Antorcha Cultural, Cultural Summer Camp, Foro de Arte y Cultura and Danza Escénica. Her motto remains: “Cultural awareness brings better communities.”

You can contact Ms. Araceli via her website at AZUMEDIA PRODUCTION

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Danzantes Unidos is a cultural network of Mexican folk dancers and artists. The 501(c)(3) organization was incorporated in 1994 to promote and support the Mexican Folk experience through the performing and visual arts, including, but not limited to, the annual three-day festival known as the Danzantes Unidos Festival. The 46th annual Danzantes Unidos Festival DUF 2025 “Fortaleza y Resiliencia” returns to Fresno on April 11, 12 & 13. The festival highlights Mexican culture through dance and music while reconnecting more than 1500 dancers from across the U.S. and Mexico.