DANCING THE MURAL: All the Colors of the Rainbow

DANCING THE MURAL: All the Colors of the Rainbow

When Sacramento-based choreographer Diego Campos first laid eyes on the South Tucson community-inspired "Color the Mural," he was immediately drawn to the vibrant colors of the folklórico dancer's skirt.  Diego says, "As soon as I saw it, I was immediately reminded of my childhood in Mexico City." As a former folklórico dancer, Diego recalled many good memories of dancing for his family and friends at school performances. As he kept looking at the picture, he was inspired to take the colors of the young girl's dress and create a piece about color, including the meanings and various symbolic representations of different colors.

'Corazón de Acuarela (Watercolor Heart)' is a dance theater piece about a man's journey through a rainbow of colors that represent different moments or stages in his life. The piece will examine the connection between colors and moments happiness, sadness, anger, harmony, struggles, peace, etc. The duet, which will feature Diego, Safos director Yvonne Montoya, and live music by Armando Castellano.

Diego says "We dance through life feeling all sorts of things, so I chose to portray this journey in the shape and colors of a rainbow. Every moment and experience we go through in life serves as paint for the canvas of our own being. We paint our own reality based on the choices we make."  He adds "I am very excited to share my work with the community of South Tucson and see the rest of the choreographers' work. This will be my first time presenting a choreography outside California, so I am very much looking forward to this experience."

Come check out this dance March 27+28^th at Dancing the Mural!

November Color the Mural Updates

In the month of November, we hosted 3 community paint days! Thank you Mission View Elementary School Student Council, the House of Neighborly Service National Night Out, and Corazón de Tucsón for hosting us!  To date, 282 community members have painted the mural! There may be one last paint day before the end of the year. Stay tuned.... 

LAST CHANCE to Color the Mural!!

LAST CHANCE to Color the Mural!!

Tucson, YOU are invited to our LAST community mural paint day this TODAY

Nov 18th during South Tucson's National Night Out taking place at the House of Neighborly Service/La Escuelita from 4:30-5:30pm!

Bring the whole family! We will see YOU there!!

Rehearsals in San Jose

Rehearsals for "Dancing the Mural" are underway in San Jose!! On Monday Nov 11th, Safos artists, composer Jordane Lafitte, and choreographer, Yvonne Montoya, rehearsed with musician (French Horn) Armando Castellano at Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA). There, the three artists worked on finalizing the live music selections for the performance and mural unveiling in March. We are excited to be working with musician Armando Castellano of Quinteto Latino this season! Tucson, we look forward to introducing YOU to Armando!

Can't wait to meet Armando? Check out Quinteto Latino HERE!

DANCING THE MURAL: Guitars and an Ode to the Sonoran Desert

Choreographer Grace Rhyne loves the Sonoran desert.  Last season, Grace debuted “The Sonoran Situation” a dance about the intense heat of the Sonoran desert before monsoon season. When Grace saw the rays of sunshine radiating from the center of the mural, she knew she had the perfect piece of choreography for that image.

Grace will be re-staging what she lovingly refers to as the “desert piece,” for the debut of "Dancing the Mural." There will be some changes to the dance this time around.  Drawing upon the mural's depiction of a guitar teacher leading a summer music camp at the House of Neighborly Service, the 67 year old  social service agency in South Tucson on which the mural is based, Grace will be performing the piece with guitarist Eugene Shem.  Eugene will provide live musical accompaniment. Grace says “I am excited about this collaboration and fusion of artistic forms.” She adds “Fusion is a tenant of Safos.”

Artistic Director Yvonne Montoya chose to open the show with this piece to situate the audience in the desert landscape.  Grace is excited to restage this dance outside in a site specific location in South Tucson. She says “This season the piece will be outside in nature, where it belongs.”
 
Come check out this dance March 27+28^th at Dancing the Mural!