Category: Cultural

Commentary / Comentario: An opportunity to talk

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ For community policing, it’s a fine balance between gathering information to investigate crimes and maintaining trust with a segment of society that previously viewed law enforcement in other places with suspicion, if not downright…

NAIC to present ‘Celebration of Community’ fundraiser on Jan. 26

FLAGSTAFF — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council will present its “Celebration of Community” fundraiser from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. The event is designed to bring the community together…

Bilingual report: ‘Health Care Information Night’ to be held Nov. 19 in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — A health care information night, with information presented primarily in Spanish, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19  at Restauración en Cristo Congregation, 624 S. O’Leary St. (en Spring Hill Baptist Church), Flagstaff. Have you had trouble…

Arizona Speaks! gathering in Sedona on Nov. 21 to support immigration reform

SEDONA — The Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) will be participating in Arizona Speaks!, a statewide series of assemblies calling for federal immigration reform, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive, Sedona. Simultaneous assemblies will…

Winslow gets into the spirit with Día de los Muertos celebration

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) returned to Winslow on Nov. 2 , 2013 when Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented the lively celebration of remembering the departed…

Día de los Muertos celebrated in Winslow

From AmigosNAZ staff reports WINSLOW — Snowdrift Art Space, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Winslow Chamber of Commerce presented a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Nov. 2 , 2013 at Snowdrift Art Space in downtown Winslow. Members…

Northern Arizona community honors heritage with altars, closing ceremony at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The day began with a sugar skull-making workshop and progressed to musical and dance performances and educational programs, concluding with the moving closing ceremonies at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct.…

Capturing the spirit of 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From the creation of family altars, and a last-minute courtyard wide Oaxaca-style cemetery scene, to the moving closing ceremonies including the blessing of the altars, members of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the public…

Musical, educational programs highlight opening day for public at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Musical and dance performances, lectures, along with arts and crafts demonstrations highlighted the opening day for the public at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 26, 2013 by the Museum…

“2013 Coconino County Community and Family Vitality Survey” now available in Spanish

FLAGSTAFF — The Laboratory for Applied Social Research (LASR) at Northern Arizona University is conducting a survey to better understand the community’s “capacity to live, grow, and develop with a purposeful existence.” It was announced this week that the survey will…

Community enjoys opening night at 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Despite of some last-minute excitement regarding an under-renovation courtyard, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona successfully celebrated opening night for museum members of the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct.…

Bilingual commentary: Residents begin first of many battles

By Roxana Cardiel De Niz and Anamaria Velasco Ortiz The community at Arrowhead Village Trailer Park in the center of Flagstaff is on the verge of being destroyed over a student housing development. This project is one that Landmark Properties,…

Travel / Viajes: The charms Rancho de Chimayó

By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Pale pink, lighter than the color of ballet slippers, is not a color that I expect to find in a Mexican restaurant. Yet I am sitting outdoors at a table dressed…

Ethnic Studies ban discussion to be held Oct. 30 at NAU

FLAGSTAFF — Sean Arce, former director of the Mexican American Studies (MAS) Program at the Tucson Unified School District, will talk about his role in challenging the ban on Ethnic Studies in Arizona at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gets ready for 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente starting Oct. 25

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will be busy late this week setting up their family altars / ofrendas, stringing papel picado and getting everything ready for the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, which will begin…

Katia Cardenal to perform in free concert on Oct. 24 at Ashurst Auditorium at Northern Arizona University

FLAGSTAFF — Katia Cardenal, formerly lead vocalist of the world-renowned Nicaraguan New Song group, Guardabarranco, will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Northern Arizona University, Ashurst Auditorium, Flagstaff, concert organizers reported in a media release. Cardenal,…

Border Songs / No More Deaths benefit concert, featuring Katia Cardenal, to be held Oct. 25

FLAGSTAFF — Artists associated with Border Songs — a double CD of music and spoken word, in English and Spanish — will give a benefit concert for the southern Arizona humanitarian group, No More Deaths / No Más Muertes at 7 p.m. Friday,…

Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival (Oct. 9-13) to feature some entries with Latino flavor

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival (Oct. 9-13) will feature some entries with a Latino flavor. The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival’s mission is to provide a cultural alternative to the mainstream commercial film experience and to celebrate, promote, nurture and…

Hojarasca entertains audience at NAU on Oct. 1

FLAGSTAFF — The audience was treated to a creative mixture of  contemporary Andean music by the Colombian musical trio Hojarasca, which performed on Oct. 1, 2013 at Gathering Room of the Native American Cultural Center at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. The…

Folklorico dance groups from Oaxaca perform locally courtesy of Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff, sponsors

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff presented a free performance by Grupo Folklorico de Oaxaca Asociación Civil, directora Teresa Ochoa, and Compañía de Danza Regional de Puebla, director Jorge Armando Castenada, on Sept. 19, 2013 at Sinagua Middle School Auditorium…

Flagstaff City Council to vote Oct. 1 on resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff City Council will vote on Tuesday, Oct. 1 on a resolution supporting comprehensive immigration reform. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. Nearly…

Bilingual report: Colombian musical trio Hojarasca to perform on Oct. 1 at NAU’s Native American Cultural Center

FLAGSTAFF — A concert of contemporary Andean music by the Colombian musical trio Hojarasca will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Gathering Room of the Native American Cultural Center (building #14), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. This trio,…

Sunnyside celebrates 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia

Click on the image to see a slideshow from the 2013 Fiesta de Independencia. Pause on photo to see a caption. AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Sprinkers going off in the early afternoon almost watering the public address system and…

Bilingual report: ‘Deferred Action Application Drive’ to be held Sept. 28

FLAGSTAFF — NO DREAM DEFERRED will present a “Deferred Action Application Drive” on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Killip Elementary School, 2300 E. 6th Ave., Flagstaff. Held in collaboration with Arizona DREAMers in Action. Contact 810-373-2691 if you have questions about…

Ballet Folklórico de Colores to present folklorico dance groups from Oaxaca on Sept. 19

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores — Flagstaff will present a free* dance performance by Grupo Folklorico de Oaxaca Asociación Civil, directora Teresa Ochoa, and Compañía de Danza Regional de Puebla, director Jorge Armando Castenada, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday,…

Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) to hold special meeting on Sept. 18

  FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will hold a special meeting to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the under renovation Our Lady of Guadalupe Cultural Center — “The Basement,” 224 So.…

Commentary / Comentario: Starting school off right

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ It was Aug. 21, nearly one month after the start of school and the annual W.F. Killip Elementary School open house was in full swing in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Flagstaff. It seemed like…

Local / Locales

Following a thorough review and input from community stakeholders, the Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) will continue to offer dental clinic services for the public, Coconino County officials reported in a media release. The CCPHSD Dental Clinic offers…

Travel / Viajes: Spain pilgrimage draws seekers

By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Discovery is what I love most about traveling. When I have a tentative agenda, I have time to stumble upon new places. Once on foreign soil, I seek out events or…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrates culture with picnic / dance

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces presented its annual “Hispanic Pioneer Reunion” on Aug. 24, 2013 at Fort Tuthill County Park, following by a dance featuring Tejano Music Award nominees Grupo XS at the American Legion in Flagstaff. Click on the image to see…

Commentary / Comentario: Youth and our future

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ We must provide all young people with the tools they need to succeed in school along with career opportunities so they can become a key part of the region’s vibrant economy. Part one of…

Travel / Viajes: ‘Gucci’ camping on the Inca Trail

By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer The remote ruins of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru, can be reached by train. However, the hardy – may I add fool-hardy? – prefer the road less…

Bilingual report: Latinos to play important role in state’s future

Improving student achievement, developing new leaders will be key to Arizona’s success By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ A vibrant Arizona of the future will require a strong investment in the state’s educational system. But party politics and a focus on…

Bilingual report: CHAC invites you every month starting July 1

By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ While we have recently enjoyed a month of significant cultural events (such as Flagstaff’s Fiesta de Mayo, NAU’s Hispanic Convocation), issues that affect the Hispanic community in the region remain with us all year…

Travel / Viajes: Off the beaten path: Discovering Tubac

By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Tubac, Arizona was established by the King of Spain as a presidio in 1752, thirty years before the Santa Barbara Royal Presidio. Tubac, the first European settlement in Arizona, is known…

Sunnyside Neighborhood Association celebrates 18th annual Fiesta de Mayo in Flagstaff

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association celebrated its 18th annual Fiesta de Mayo on May 11-12 at Ponderosa Park in Flagstaff. The event featured a variety of musical entertainment, from folklorico performances to rock, conjunto, a car show, food, arts and crafts…

Dancing Across Borders fundraiser for No More Deaths

They danced the night away to benefit those who need help. The 6th annual “Dancing Across Borders” fundraiser, to benefit No More Deaths, was held Saturday, April 27 at Transzend Studio in Flagstaff. Click on the image to see a…

Bilingual commentary: Cinco de Mayo. Not Cinco de Drinko

Editor’s note: As the Cinco de Mayo holiday approaches, here’s a recent column I wrote about the ongoing war betwen cultural identity vesus American marketing. By Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ A cultural battle is being waged on the streets…

Local / Locales

The contentious, and at times faceless and obsure, immigration debate was brought home to an audience of more than 100 people at Northern Arizona University with a family in tears coping with an uncertain future. As they await an immigration…