August 2023 Newsletter

Note from LCAC Executive Director

The Fall of 2023 is here in what seems like a blink of an eye. At the LCAC, this is a time of remembrance, celebration, pride, gratitude and love. It is a season to showcase the excellence and impact of our programs and partnerships from Viva Southwest to Ofrendas.

Before we know it, we will be welcoming you and your family to Las Bodegas!

¡Nos Vemos!

Alfredo Reyes

Executive Director

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs

The LCAC News & Updates

2023 Viva Southwest Mariachi Festival (VSMF)

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day @ Levitt Pavilion Denver on Saturday, September 16th!

Honor Latino Heritage Month with a SPECIAL night of Mariachi under the Denver night sky! We are TWO WEEKS away from welcoming Grammy-winners, Flor de Toloache and All-State Mariachi Estelares to the stage.

The concert is FREE, however, you can elevate your experience by purchasing VIP tickets! VIP Tickets Include:

Private Pre-show Reception Starting at 5pm at Levitt Pavilion
Music by Siembra Tropical with Selecta C & Yuca Soul
Tacos y Agua Fresca from Taquizas Aguitas
Complimentary Alcoholic Drinks & Additional Beverages
Premium Lounge with Seating and Shade

Learn More & Reserve Your Tickets

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our VSMF 2023 Sponsors and Partners

Ofrendas 2023: Day of the Dead Programming

Note from Mandy Medrano

I begin with a warm and heartfelt welcome to the fourth season of the Ofrendas program and the theme of "Tloque Nahuaque" (Uto-Aztecan language).

This exploration helps us gain a deeper understanding of the duality of life, joy, and sorrow, which are integral to the cultural and spiritual essence of Ofrendas. We honor the past while staying present within our communities is a powerful way to foster a profound sense of connection and continuity.

I am honored to lead these efforts within the LCAC and be part of this unique journey that delves into the intricate tapestry of Mexican and Indigenous traditions, meanings, and practices. We are committed to giving our communities authentic experiences that resist the commercialization of Día de los Muertos and making these experiences accessible to a wide range of participants.

-Tlazokamati- (Thank you)

Ofrendas Celebrates its 4th Year this Fall with 16 Community Art Workshops and In-School Programming Throughout the Denver Metro Area

Ofrendas is a multi-faceted celebration of the ancient native and contemporary Meso-American traditions behind Día de los Muertos. It is an invitation to co-create with local and international artisans, while honoring our ancestors through raising awareness about grief, healing, & resilience.

The LCAC announces the 4th-year of Ofrendas focusing on the Indigenous theme of duality or "Tloque Nahuaque," (Nahuatl Uto-Aztecan language).

Ofrendas bridges the cultural arts and mental wellness through the making of hand-made altar items. We invite you to join us to honor the past and present as we celebrate the lives of our loved ones. Workshops will be hosted across Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties.

From August to November, we are partnering with D3 Arts, DCIS, Valverde Elementary School, West High School, local artists, educators and venues across the Denver Metro Area to provide FREE community art workshops and in-school programming. Participants of all ages will create masks, candles, frames, and sugar skulls while learning about different traditions associated with Día de los Muertos.

Ofrendas 2023 is centered on the concept of "Tloque Nahuaque,"emphasizing our sacred interconnectedness and balance with contrasting elements in life. Workshops will highlight the duality of joy and sorrow, light and darkness, through ceremony and ritual while helping us to find balance and peace within ourselves.

Throughout the Fall, Ofrendas invites participants to weave remembrance, gratitude, and cultural customs both ancient and contemporary. The goal is to preserve ancestral memory along with a sense of place and belonging through altar-making practices that are to be respected and admired for the generational healing they have brought for thousands of years.

Learn More & Register for Workshops

Honor Your Loved Ones with Handmade Altar Offerings at the LCAC’s Ofrendas Mercado

The LCAC’s award-winning boutique, Hijos del Sol, is alive with festive and colorful new items for our Ofrendas Mercado. The boutique will be open on Saturdays, September 23 and October 14, from 10am-4pm, at 2715 West 8th Avenue in Denver.

We carry a wide selection of high-quality and authentically handmade items for your altar. Whether you are building your altar for the first time or continuing a cherished family tradition, the Ofrendas Mercado is your opportunity to find unique offerings to honor your loved ones.

While here, you can also find the best curated selection of accessories, apparel, folk art, home decor and more! Hijos del Sol proudly supports local, international and Indigenous artisans from across the Americas. If you are unable to attend the Ofrendas Mercado, we are always available for a private shopping appointment by calling 303-946-8873.

Browse The Shop Online

The LCAC Launches Ofrendas in Westwood with Unmasked @ Mikailhuitl Workshop in Partnership

with D3 Arts

We welcomed Ofrendas, on August 15th, 2023, with D3 Arts who educates the public on decolonizing Día de los Muertos with their program, Mikailhuitl. The workshop delved into the interconnection between spiritual and emotional well-being.

Through self-reflection and creative expression, participants had the opportunity to identify their masks and embrace their authentic selves. Additionally, the workshop included a visual presentation on the Mayan Lord Pakal of Palenque who served as the inspiration for mask-making.

Las Bodegas:

For Us, By Us and For Everyone

Join Us A Walkthrough of Las Bodegas Before the Complete Buildout

Photo Courtesy of Kalen Photography

Las Bodegas is a project that centers and celebrates Latinidad and at this magnitude has not been supported in over 30 years in Denver. We are making history with every step and contribution, and are excited to show you the space in its rawest form!

The tour schedule will continue, until construction begins every Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm, at 1935 W. 12th Avenue, Denver. ¡Nos Vemos @ Las Bodegas!

Las Bodegas in the NEWS

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Learn More About Las Bodegas Project

LAS BODEGAS POWERED BY COMUNIDAD!

We send a heartfelt message of gratitude for the generosity of our donors! Your contribution reaffirms the importance of the LCAC Vision to create a socially conscious arts ecosystem that creates belonging through place-keeping, cements cultural legacy, and activates Latinidad as a vehicle for civic dialogue and social change.

Donate NOW and become a driving force behind Las Bodegas!

Become a Monthly Donor!

Imagine the possibilities if we all come together, inspired by the strength and spirit of our comunidad! Join our Powered by Comunidad movement and make a difference today! Currently, we average 1,185 newsletter readers per month. If each of you contributed $5 a month for a year, we’d collectively raise over $70,000!

Volunteering is Indeed Another Powerful Form of Philanthropy!

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En Comunidad

Latino Heritage Month is around the corner and it provides us with an unique opportunity to connect and honor the rich heritage and contributions of the diverse communities that call the Americas home. Here is a snapshot of the many events, workshops, and celebrations highlighting the creativity, resilience, and beauty of our culture.

Los Trabajadores : The Life of the Worker Opening Reception

Art Contained del Sol Studio

Friday, September 1, @ 5PM

Latina Owned Collective Launch Party

Green Spaces

Saturday, September 2, @ 12PM

Amor a la Mexicana : Tequila, Mezcal, Art & Culture

St. Cajetans, Auraria Campus

Saturday, September 2, @ 5:30PM

A Reading of Cheyanne by Cipriano Ortega

Buntport Theater Company

Thursday, September 7th @ 6:30PM