In what has become an annual event at Padua Hills Theatre, the Cielo Rojo Dance Company entertained an enthusiastic, packed house on December 12. The evening included traditional Mexican holiday dancing, a marketplace, food, gifts, music, and plenty of cheer in the courtyard throughout the evening. The performance focused on dance and music from the Veracruz region in Mexico, known for its diverse typography, rich history, and cultural influence. Courier photos/Peter Weinberger

The flowing dresses and bright colors of Cielo Rojo Dance Company’s traditional Mexican performers.

Cielo Rojo Dance Company performers with dramatic, colorful head pieces last week at Padua Hills Theatre.

Cielo Rojo Dance Company Director Mundo Cabrera — staying clear of the hundreds of feathers in the head pieces of his performers — and dancers wait to take the stage last week at Padua Hills Theatre.