Ivins, UT (September 03, 2024) Center for the Arts at Kayenta proudly kicks off its official 2024/2025 season with two extraordinary performances that showcase the rich tapestry of Latin American artistry. This launch marks a significant milestone, bringing world-class artists to Southern Utah and cementing the Center’s role as a cultural beacon in the region.
Latin American artistry takes center stage this September, showcasing diverse talents from the region and its diaspora. Two standout performances celebrate Latin American heritage: Brittes enchants with accordion melodies on the 14th, while Montoya’s expressive dance captivates on the 21st. Throughout the month, López’s thought-provoking photographs grace the lobby, offering a visual complement to this immersive exploration of Latin American culture.
What makes these events truly special:
- Unprecedented Artistic Collaboration: With support from the prestigious National Dance Project and WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation), the Center brings together artists of international acclaim, offering a rare opportunity for Southern Utah residents to experience world-class performances in their own backyard.
- Cultural Fusion: The combination of music, dance, and visual arts creates a multi-sensory experience that is unique to the area, providing a holistic view of Latin American culture rarely seen outside major metropolitan centers.
- Global Learning: These presentations go beyond entertainment, serving as powerful educational tools that foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, particularly valuable in Southern Utah’s diverse community.
- Economic and Cultural Boost: By attracting visitors from across the region, these events not only enrich the local cultural landscape but also contribute to the area’s economic vitality.
In a world where cultural exchange and mutual understanding are crucial, these presentations serve as powerful reminders of art’s unifying force. The Center for the Arts at Kayenta offers not just entertainment, but an opportunity for reflection, education, and celebration of Latin American heritage’s diverse tapestry.
This season opener sets the stage for a year of exceptional programming, positioning the Center as a vital hub for artistic excellence and cultural dialogue in Southern Utah and beyond.
Alejandro Brittes Trio: Bringing Chamamé to Southern Utah
On Saturday, September 14, acclaimed accordionist Alejandro Brittes will bringUNESCO-recognized Chamamé to Southern Utah as part of an international tour Fall. His tour showcases this unique musical style blending Indigenous Guaraní and Baroque influences. Chamamé’s connection to rivers is particularly poignant given recent flooding in Brittes’ home state in Brazil.
The tour bridges multicultural heritage between the Southwest and southern South America while supporting flood relief efforts. It offers audiences vibrant Chamamé rhythms while contributing to cultural exchange and humanitarian causes.
Supportedby the Brazilian Ministry of Culture and sponsored by Arroz Prato Fino, this celebration of music, heritage, and solidarity will go on to perform at the San José Jazz Festival and Stanford Live. We are thrilled to bring this work to Washington County!
Stories from Home by Yvonne Montoya | Safos Dance Theatre
Stories From Home is a dance performance by Yvonne Montoya, a 23rd-generation Nuevomexicana choreographer. It embodies oral traditions of Nuevo Mexicano, Chicano, and Mexican American communities in the Southwest. The all-Mexican American cast draws on personal and ancestral stories, blending theatricality, spoken word, and diverse movement influences.
The one-night-only performance on Saturday, September 21 highlights underrepresented Southwest Latino American experiences, touching on themes like love, family, and home. It also addresses historical events such as the Bracero Program, the Atomic Bomb project in New Mexico, 1940s Americanization programs, and the Sephardim experience during the Spanish Inquisition.
Álvaro Alejandro López: Illuminating Literary Landscapes
Friday, August 30 through Sunday, October 6 Mexican photographer Álvaro Alejandro López complements the performances with his photographic series “De Natura Libris,” to be displayed in the Center’s lobby gallery space. Based in Mexico City, López has gained international recognition, with his work exhibited across North America and Europe.
“De Natura Libris” explores our relationship with books, both physical and abstract. López captures the corporeality of books, recording their structures, textures, and signs of use. The series delves into the personal experiences evoked by books, inviting viewers to contemplate the ties we create with literature and the individual journeys we embark upon while reading.
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the sounds, movements, and stories that shape the vibrant cultural landscape of the Americas.
About Kayenta Arts Foundation: Kayenta Arts Foundation’s mission is to develop and create an environment that fosters diverse artistic endeavors for educational and cultural enrichment purposes. Our vision is to become Southern Utah’s premier venue for professional quality, multi-disciplinary performing arts in an intimate space, fostering awareness, appreciation, education, and enjoyment of diverse artistic forms and ideas.
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CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Alejandro Brittes Trio
Saturday, September 14, 2024 7:30pm
Stories from Home
by Yvonne Montoya | Safos Dance Theatre
Saturday, September 21, 2024 7:30pm
Tickets available at Kayentaarts.org
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Mary ShipleyMarketing Manager
Center for The Arts at Kayenta
881 Coyote Gulch CourtIvins, UT 84738(435) 674-2787
kayentaarts.org
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