Culturally Powered: Celebration of Traditional Dance and Regalia

Native groups in Chicago keep their cultural traditions vibrant despite the challenges of relocation and migration. For example, Aztecs were practicing their traditions in secret throughout Chicago until the 1970s when it became more acceptable to share their traditions. Filipino communities migrated to the Chicago area as early as the 1900s and faced challenges over the years in assimilating while maintaining their cultural roots.

As a part of Chicago Cultural Alliance’s Culture at the Intersection series, the Trickster Art Gallery brings together dancers to perform and discuss the evolution of native regalia design as influenced by migration and relocation to and from Chicago. This celebration of culture begins with performances from Chicago Natives, Aztec, and Filipino dance groups followed by a discussion about the evolution of traditional regalia design. Each group displays traditional native regalia from the early 1900s to the 1970s and performs in contemporary regalia illustrating changes due to local influences.

Featured Dance Groups:

Trickster Art Gallery’s Native Dancers

Bibbak Illinois (a Chicago-based Filipino group)

Aztec Dancers from Chicago

Guest Speakers include:

Larry Yazzie of the Meskwaki Nation and the Sauk and Fox Tribes, the first tribes of the lands we call Illinois;

Angel Barajas, a Chicago-based second-generation Aztec dancer who migrated from Mexico;

Lawrence Tumpag, a Chicago-based applied anthropologist and second-generation Filipino-American raised in both the Philippines and the U.S.

In the spirit of the citywide initiative, Chicago Cultural Alliance presents a program series that examines the art and design contributions of immigrant communities in five gateway neighborhoods: Albany Park, Bronzeville, Chinatown, Humboldt Park, and Greektown. Rooted in cultural heritage and local neighborhoods, each event offers art and design perspectives that highlight often-overlooked and ever-changing creative culture in the neighborhoods.

Event is being held at Trickster Art Gallery:

190 South Roselle Rd.

Schaumburg IL 60193

This event is free. For any questions, please contact Peter Vega, pvega@chicagoculturalallaince.org or 312-846-6814 x103

This program is generously funded by Terra Foundation for American Art and Richard H. Driehaus Foundation part of Art Design Chicago.

Art Design Chicago is a spirited celebration of the unique and vital role Chicago plays as America’s crossroads of creativity and commerce. Led by the Terra Foundation for American Art, this citywide partnership of cultural organizations explores Chicago’s art and design legacy with more than 25 exhibitions and hundreds of events throughout 2018. Learn more about www.artdesignchicago.org.