Dancers at Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration at the Denver Art Museum

The 15th Annual Celebration of our Lady of Guadalupe

The 15th Annual Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Denver Art Museum (DAM) will take place on Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 1 pm–4 pm. Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most beloved images of Mexico, adored by people of all backgrounds and beliefs. The DAM holds in its collection several fine examples of artwork depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe created by artists from different time periods and locations and made with a diverse array of media. From colonial paintings from Mexico dating back many centuries to modern sculptures created in the United States in recent decades, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is as diverse and multifaceted as the people who celebrate her. The exquisitely beautiful depictions of Our Lady hold a very special place here at the DAM, and they provide a unique experience for our visitors.

For this year’s celebration, the DAM will once again host dance and musical performances in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe that are sure to delight and enchant.

The festivities in the North Building’s Ponti Hall will kick off with fabulous dances that continue the tradition of pre-Columbian Mexico, as performed by Grupo Tláloc Danza Azteca, Comparsa Morelos (Chinelos), and Danza Matachina Guadalupana.

The voices of children from the Academia Ana Marie Sandoval choir will delight the audience with their beautiful performance. In addition, Ms. Carol Rankin’s Apple Pie (a local nonprofit that provides access to classical music to different communities) will present her Musical Ambassadors, among them, three young musicians: Adrián Caro, and Camilla and Genesis Ruiz. All three of these young, talented musicians have been part of the DAM’s extended family for many years since they have participated in the DAM’s Día del Niño program since they were young children. Now, they are all young adults who are continuing to pursue their love at music, two at Metropolitan State University and one looking towards high school graduation. It is truly a matter of pride and joy for the community to experience their success in their careers and their musical accomplishments.

The celebration will conclude with the multimedia performance of The Miracle of Tepeyac, with original music performed by the multi-award winner Kenny Passarelli. Choreography by Janelle Ayón, who, for many years, was the lead dancer of the internationally acclaimed Ballet Folklórico de México and currently the artistic director of Dancing Across Cultures. The 3-D images presented in the story are by contemporary Japanese artist Taketo Kobayasi

The general admission to this celebration is free with the presentation of a special coupon. To request a coupon or for further information about this event, please send an email to cricciardi@denverartmuseum.org.