22st Annual Chicano Music Festival, The Party of the Summer Heats up Santa Fe Drive with Music, Food & Fun!

Chicano_Hall_of_Fame_inductees_July_28_2016_Joe_Contreras_Photographer (185)Photos by Latin Life Denver Media

Summer is Better with Live Music. Su Teatro presents the 22nd Annual Chicano Music Festival, July 25 –29, a weekend brimming with performances by some of the finest Chicano and Mexicano musicians in the region along with celebrations, auctions, dancing, food and cold drinks!

Festival goers were also treated to an amazing performance of music from Veracruz, Mexico by Colectivo Altetee who reside in southern Veracruz but are in Denver performing each day of the weekend long festival.

In 2016 festival goers were also treated to an amazing performance of music from Veracruz, Mexico by Colectivo Altetee who reside in southern Veracruz .

For 22 years, Su Teatro has brought this event to Denver… five evenings celebrating the music of the southwest. The 2018 Chicano Music Festival includes XicanIndie Music on Film, the induction of the 2018 class of the Chicano Music Hall of Fame, Chicano Roots Jam Session, the Summer Pachanga and the Mariachi Tardeada. All this can be found under the stars as part of the 22nd Chicano Music Festival.

Festival passes are $45 ($60 value); individual event tickets vary. All events will take place at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204. The complete festival schedule may be viewed at www.suteatro.org, or call 303-296-0219 for more information.

The 22nd Annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction celebrates music, art and culture and has become an annual tradition in Colorado. The music that will be highlighted this year draws from the rich culture and traditions of Mexico and the Southwest.

The songs, melodies, and “riffs” created in backyards, porches, and neighborhood parties have blended and infused all the wonderful sounds from indigenous, Mexican regional, Jazz, R&B, country western and rock music. The 2018 musical line-up, Chicano Music Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, Chicano Roots Resistance Jam Session, and Mariachi Tardeada will provide just what your soul needs this summer. In its second year, the Friday evening Chicano Roots resistance Jam Session continues a great tradition of round-robin style of musical sharing from great local and visiting musicians led by “el Maestro” Daniel Valdez.

The 22nd Chicano Music Festival is Su Teatro’s annual centerpiece fundraiser and along with the great music, includes a silent and live auction featuring some of the best Chicano art from local and national artists.

Last year Las Tesoros thrilled audiences. They began their career as four women from South Texas: Rita “La Calandria” Vidaurri, Blanquita Rodriguez “Blanca Rosa”, Beatriz “La Paloma del Norte” Llamas, and Anita Janet Cortez “La Perla Taptia.”

Last year Las Tesoros thrilled audiences. They began their career as four women from South Texas: Rita “La Calandria” Vidaurri, Blanquita Rodriguez “Blanca Rosa”, Beatriz “La Paloma del Norte” Llamas, and Anita Janet Cortez “La Perla Taptia.”

Highlights of 22nd Annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction

Su Teatro’s 22nd Annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction is packed with great entertainment and fun. Hope to see you at the biggest and best party of the year, heating up Santa Fe Drive with musica, dancing and comida all under the stars. Plus, brilliant art and great deals at the annual auction.

XicanIndie Music on Film

Wednesday, July 25th at 6:30 pm – Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World. This powerful documentary about the role of Native Americans in contemporary music history-featuring some of the greatest music stars of our time-exposes a critical missing chapter, revealing how indigenous musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives and, through their contributions, influenced popular culture. https://www.rumblethemovie.com/home

Chicno Music Festival Panchanga 2014 (76)

Thursday, July 26th at 7:00 pm – The Chicano Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert will introduce the 2018 class of Colorado musical pioneers. Come celebrate with the new class of inductees and enjoy performances from previous inductees, musicians and bands that span over 60 years of musical performances. This year’s Hall of Fame Class include: Al Gallegos, La Raza Rocks/Pocho Joe, Pamela Liñan, and Larry Lobato, Sr. The evening will carry on the tradition of honoring Colorado musicians that bring their unique and important contributions to Colorado’s Chicano music scene and advance the Chicano musical aesthetic.

Chicno Music Festival Panchanga 2014 (54)

Friday, July 27th at 7:00 pm – Chicano Roots Resistance Jam Session. For the second year, the Chicano Roots Resistance Jam Session will give local and visiting musicians, percussionists, vocalists, and more the opportunity to share their music with other like-minded artists. Don’t miss this fun event filled with song, music, dancing, drink specials and food. Bring your musical instrument and talent for a jam session that will rock the night!

Saturday, July 28th from 6:00 to 11:00 pm – Summer Pachanga…Tirar la chancla!…Dance your behind off! Su Teatro’s annual Summer Pachanga is everything you hope for in an outdoor dance party and barbeque. The 2018 lineup of bands includes: Jonathan Castillo y Profundo (Southern Colorado/New Mexico), La Compania (Denver, Colorado), and Cascada de Flores (San Francisco, California). The bands will be playing music of New Mexico, Texas, Mexico and the Caribbean throughout the evening. As part of Su Teatro’s annual Chicano Music Festival, a live art auction and silent auction is a highlight of the evening. Bid on beautiful pieces of one of a kind art, as well as exciting deals on things you never thought you needed!

Chicno Music Festival Panchanga 2014 (66)

Visiting artists from San Francisco, California, Cascada de Flores, explore the musical traditions of Mexico and Cuba. The music, rooted in their folkloric past, doesn’t stay stagnant…they choose to interpret songs in their unique styles with richness, delicacy and excitement.

Sunday, July 30th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm – Mariachi Tardeada…Back to back Mariachi! Ending the festival con Mariachi is a perfect way to remember and rejoice in our Mexican musical roots. Our Mariachi Tardeada is perfect for the entire family and offers the heart and soul of Mexico here at Su Teatro. Give your spirit a boost with an afternoon filled with Musica Mariachi! We’ll still have plenty to eat, drink and bid on as the final live and silent auction items are sold.
Chicno Music Festival Panchanga 2014 (70)
Celebrating the rich music and culture of the Southwest

Su Teatro’s Chicano Music Festival showcases music that reflects the many influences of Chicano and Mexicano culture. Su Teatro proudly presents the music and musicians of Colorado, shines a spotlight on their talent, and indulges in the beauty that is Chicano Music. Our volunteers and staff help make the Chicano Music Festival and Auction a weekend you won’t want to miss. Festival goers can treat themselves to roasted corn, ice cold drinks, hotdogs and hamburgers with fresh roasted green chile, and lots more.

Su Teatro’s 22nd Annual Chicano Music Festival will take place July 25 through July 29. This annual celebration brings out the very best in music, art and culture. Tickets are on sale now; prices for Festival passes are $45; individual event tickets vary. Call (303) 296-0219 or www.suteatro.org.

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