Festival of Native Arts hosts Aztec dance troupe

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
02/23/07

Aztec dance troupe Tezkatlipoka Danza Azteca will give several performances and workshops in Fairbanks Feb. 24 through March 3 in an exchange sponsored by the Festival of Native Arts.

The troupe was formed in 1988 in an effort to preserve the sacred dances of the Aztec people and to educate the public about their history. Its powerful percussion-laden performances include the traditional Aztec headdress, hand-carved drums, rattle anklets and copal-tree-resin incense.

The group will give two public performances during its visit to Fairbanks, Feb. 24 and 25 at 6 p.m. at the West Valley High School Performing Arts Center. Both performances will raise funds for the annual Festival of Native Arts, scheduled for March 1-3. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 with UAF ID and $15 for children, and are available at the UAF Wood Center, Hoitts Underground Sounds and at the door.

In addition to the public events, Tezkatlipoka Danza Azteca will give presentations and workshops in local schools. Following is a partial schedule of those events:

Monday, Feb. 26
2 p.m. - Tanana Middle School
Tuesday, Feb. 27
1:30 p.m. - Ladd Elementary School
5 p.m. - Nenana City Schools
Wednesday, Feb. 28
1:30 p.m. - Nordale Elementary School
Thursday, March 1
1 p.m. - Joy Elementary School
6 p.m. - Eielson Air Force Base
Friday, March 2
10:30 a.m. - Effie Kokrine Charter School