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Show In México, Native American contributions to Hispanic culture are especially evident in the Aztec derived dance that is part of holy day observances. Here in Utah such performances are central to the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe Day on December 12th. Led by Salvador Lazalde, a third-generation dancer from Zacatecas, members of Salt Lake's Sacred Heart Church continué this tradition. (AH:92) and South America. Whether observed through nine consecutive evenings of visiting parish members' homes or through a one night re-enactment at the church with candles lighting the way, the celebration ends on Christmas Eve with traditional food and the breaking of piñatas. Church-sponsored socials, often organized by the Guadalupanas auxiliaries, provide opportunities for Hispanic parishioners to reaffirm their shared cultural heritage. At Provo's St. Francis of Assisi Church, evenings featuring traditional cuisine and the music of local "Spanish" dance bands, like the popular Los Mercenarios, illustrate how the arts form an integral part of this cultural identity. As in all cultures, important stages in life- weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and funerals-are often celebrated in church or among the members of one's church community. It is not surprising then that the traditional arts form an integral part of such celebrations. Singers and instrumentalists from Spanish choirs, like the one that accompanies the mass each Sunday at St. Francis Xavier in Kearns, perform at many wedding and funeral masses and at 50th wedding anniversaries. Likewise, one of Utah's oldest Mexican performing groups-Mariachi Águilas de Utah-often sings as part of wedding masses and then provides music for the receptions that follow. HISPANIC ARTS noche en la iglesia con velas en el camino, la celebración termina la noche de Nochebuena con una comida típica y con piñatas para los niños. Las reuniones sociales patrocinadas por la iglesia y usualmente organizadas por las auxiliares guadalupanas proveen para los feligreses hispanos la reiteración de la herencia cultural que comparten. En la iglesia San Francisco de Asís de Provo hay noches en que se sirve comida típica y se escucha música de grupos bailables latinos, como el popular grupo Los Mercenarios; esto nos enseña cómo las artes forman una parte muy importante de esta identidad cultural. Como en todas las culturas, las etapas más importantes de la vida como matrimonios, cumpleaños, aniversarios y funerales, se celebran en la iglesia o entre los miembros de la comunidad religiosa de una persona. Por esto, no es sorprendente que las artes tradicionales formen parte integral de estas celebraciones. Los cantantes e instrumentalistas de coros latinos, como el que acompaña la misa cada domingo en la iglesia de San Francisco Javier de Kearns, se presentan en muchas bodas, misas fúnebres y bodas de oro. Asimismo, uno de los grupos mexicanos más antiguos de Utah, El Formerly known as Sol Gris, Los Mercenarios is currently represented by international promoter Manual Montoya of Montoya Entertainment Group, now based in Salt Lake City. This band is one of many local groups actively touring, recording, and taking advantage of Utah's strategic location and expanding Hispanic recording industry. Courtesy of Rafael López. , . |
