AZTLAN Dance Company

Here's a little behind the scenes into our last film:

During our dance projects we always make time for pláticas. This is where we take time to reflect on the work being done and its importance on a personal level as well as for our community, far and wide.

We not only talk about why our work needs to be seen, but what it means to us and how we can add our personal experiences and emotions into our movement.

In our dance arena, our stories become fuel for our movement, and our movement becomes a shared offering to our community.

Together we continue to carry our sacred dances and movements forward.

Dancing on the Montopolis Bridge reminded us that Austin was built on stories long before the skyline and tech towers. For nearly 50 years our dancers have carried cultural expression through movement, watching the city grow and change around us.

Our dances are a way to keep record of was and what still is. Even when the city changes, our roots keep the rhythm alive.

🎥 From the 2015 Show Vault:

ITZPAPALOTL: Obsidian Butterfly

AZTLAN presents the story of a young girl, Ixchel, as she looks into the dark night sky to wonder what her life has in store and what she will grow up to be like.

Mesmerized by the mystery of the moon and star's everlasting glow, Ixchel is visited by the ancient and divine night-sprit Itzpapalotl who seizes the opportunity to whisper the secrets of earthly mestiza life.

Set in modern time, ITZPAPALOTL: Obsidian Butterfly narrates the cyclical nature of life and death, and the ephemerality of time in which memory is based.

As our elders convey stories of their life journey, in them we hear the traces of culture that have been nurtured throughout the centuries.

Five decades. Four generations. One living legacy. 🤎

From our founder Maria Salinas in 1974 to the vision, creativity, and technology shaping us today, our dance company continues to honor the past while building the future.

When we create and dance, the culture isn’t just preserved here, it’s lived, taught, and carried forward.

5 decades and 4 generations later, passing down the cultura to the next generation has been an important part of our dance company. We like to call ourselves the Culture Keepers of Aztlan.

Check out our website and learn how you can donate to Aztlan's cultural programs and experiences!

https://www.aztlandance.com/donate

We are storytellers and archivers of our current moment through the power of Contemporary Expressive Xicano/Latino Dance. We are the Aztlan Dance Company.