30 September 2016

Building Bridges // Connecting Cultures

Multicultural family event El Puentecito returns to i.d.e.a. Museum Oct. 8 Post Date: 
09/29/2016 8:25 AM     
The i.d.e.a. Museum again joins Cultural Coalition Inc. and Childsplay Theatre to present a special celebration of theatre, music and art on Oct. 8. El Puentecito features mariachis, dancers and several hands-on art projects from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the i.d.e.a. Museum.
The family event – in its second year at the i.d.e.a. Museum - will feature multicultural masks and performances by Zarco Guerrero, a well-known sculptor, mask maker and performing artist born in Mesa.
Activities and entertainment are included with museum admission.

“We’re always seeking ways to bring together our diverse community,” said Sunnee O’Rork, museum executive director. “El Puentecito is a fun way to introduce families to multicultural music, dance and art. It will feature beautiful performances that will delight families.”

Featured performers are: Desert Sounds Mariachi, Ballet Alegria from Mesa, Mariachi Juvenil de Mi Tierra and Quetzalli Ballet Folklórico. Hands-on activities include mask making with Cultural Coalition and designing maracas with Childsplay.
Zarco’s 8-foot-tall Frida Puppet be present and lead the final Masked Parade at the end of the program. 
El Puentecitio means little bridge in Spanish. That’s significant, explains Carmen Guerrero, co-founder of Cultural Coalition and Xicanindio Artes, now known as Xico, Inc.
“In every language the word ‘bridge’ conjures up universal metaphors of transformation, enlightenment, freedom and even our passing into the afterlife,” she said.

 
El Puentecito is a sister event of El Puente Theatre Festival and Mask Procession, which was created three years ago to bring multicultural audiences to local arts institutions via a partnership by Cultural Coalition and Childsplay, with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.


Cultural Coalition provides unique cultural programs which foster community engagement and are dedicated to the education, promotion, and development of Indigenous arts and artists in Arizona. Childsplay, Inc. is a nonprofit theatre company of professional, adult artists who perform for and teach young audiences and their families.

More museum activities:
www.ideamuseum.org/special-events.html.
Contact: Yvette Armendariz
Museum Public Relations & Marketing
Yvette.Armendariz@MesaAZ.gov (480) 644-4129 

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