Free event featuring from youth performers from around the Valley

El Puente Festival, the largest FREE Latiné and Indigenous performing arts event at Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), returns on Sunday, April 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. Celebrating its 12th year of highlighting talented up and coming youth performing artists alongside professional groups, this annual event presented by Cultural Coalition features mariachis, storytellers, ballet folklórico, puppets, and theater, all for free.

“El Puente”, Spanish for bridge, has a unique place in the spring line-up of arts events in the Valley. While there are many festivals featuring the visual arts, this festival shines a light on the performing arts, specifically music, dance, and storytelling, to show how Latiné and Indigenous cultures pass down their cultural artistic traditions and connect generations. Youth groups of musicians and dancers come from elementary schools, high schools, and colleges, after school programs, and professional studios.

NEW THIS YEAR - For the first time ever, Cultural Coalition is activating every space of Tempe Center for the Arts with the performing arts for El Puente! There will be free performances inside the Theater, Studio, Lakeside Room, and North Patio. Accompanying these scheduled performances will be free arts and craft activities in the lobby and art gallery, free bilingual books from the Barrio Book Mobile in the Breezeway, and delicious bites and treats from local food trucks parked outside.
Everyone is invited to come enjoy this free family friendly event, and stay until the end to join in the fun for the signature community procession over the Tempe Pedestrian Bridge. Led by Cultural Coalition Artistic Director and Master Sculptor Zarco Guerrero’s Quetzalcoatl Dragon Puppet, the procession is a lively, colorful parade of drums, costumes, and giant puppets. Each year festival attendees are invited to participate in the parade celebration, wear the masks they made or carry the art they created during the event and be part of the annual El Puente Festival community photo on the other side of the bridge.

The 12th Annual El Puente Festival is made possible thanks in part to the support of the City of Tempe, NALAC, TCC Gives, Raza Development Fund, Inc. and individual donors. While all performances at the festival are free, those in the Studio and Theater require a free ticket which can be reserved at the TCA Box Office at tempecenterforthearts.com/events/tca-box-office. Limited tickets are available at the door while supplies last. Visit the El Puente event page at culturalcoalition.com/elpuente/ for more details.

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EVENT DETAILS
When: Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts - 700 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281
Cost: Free
SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES

Lobby & TCA Entrance
2:00 p.m. - Welcome by Zarco Guerrero and his Dragon Dancers
4:30 p.m. - Phoenix Mariachi Vive Youth Group
4:45 p.m. & 5:45 p.m. - Coatlicue Danza Mexica
Theater Stage:
3:30 p.m. - Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ with live music by Mariachi Continental Azteca
Studio Stage:
2:15 p.m. - Harmony Project Youth Mariachi’s
3:15 p.m. - Mariachi Estrella de Cobre
4:15 p.m. - Rosie’s House Music Academy Young Adult Mariachi’s
Lakeside Room:
2:30 p.m. - Guitar Music by Gustavo Angeles
3:20 p.m. - Storytelling with Violet Duncan
4:00 p.m. - Jackrabbit & Tortoise Puppet Show
North Patio:
3:00 p.m. - Hoop Dancing with Cooper Nez
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Additional photographs and interviews with artists available by request.
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About Cultural Coalition, Inc:
Cultural Coalition, Inc. is a local non-profit who has committed to supporting indigenous artists and encouraging youth arts education for over 25 years. We are dedicated to the education, promotion, and development of indigenous artists throughout Arizona. We provide our community with much needed artistic programs that highlight and amplify the cultural diversity of the Valley of the Sun.

Follow Cultural Coalition, Inc:
Website www.culturalcoalition.com
Facebook @culturalcoalitionaz
Instagram @culturalcoaz
Twitter @CulturalCoAz
YouTube @youtube.com/culturalcoalition