The 2021 Artists

“I love the mystery and the spooky bizarre aspects of magic but I have found more importantly that magical entertainment needs to be family-oriented and fun.

If the audience is having a good time then that means that I am having a good time. Magical entertainment is a winner for everyone when everyone goes home feeling happy, with a smile on their face and they have had the chance to forget about their daily worries.”
- Richard Nakata

And we can guarantee that no matter what age you are, Nakata magic will enthrall you. 

Richard Nakata is an award-winning magician who has been practicing the Art of Magic for over 50 years. He was born in Tokyo, Japan but came to the United States of America when he was very young. Most of Richard’s childhood was spent growing up in Aurora, Colorado.

Gamelan is primarily percussive music, the word itself being taken from an ancient one meaning “to hammer.” Bronze-keyed instruments and tuned gongs are struck with various wooden and padded mallets in interlocking flurries of sound. Supplemented by double-headed drums and bamboo flutes, the shimmering sound of gamelan accompanies everything from secular dances to shadow plays to the most sacred temple ceremonies.

Abrupt changes in tempo and volume mirror significant events in the accompanied performances for a combined effect that is both startling and compelling. 
 

As American musicians striving to perfect these musical forms, Tunas Mekar’s members can testify that magic requires practice. Memorizing pieces phrase-by-phrase without notation, Tunas Mekar has built a repertoire of traditional and contemporary works that the average village gamelan would be proud to claim. 
 

Based in Denver, Gamelan Tunas Mekar is a community ensemble under the direction of Balinese composer and Artist-in-Residence I Made Lasmawan.

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Modeled after typical village groups found throughout Bali, and learning by traditional methods, this community ensemble provides American audiences the rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most beautiful and sophisticated performing arts.

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Info: http://tunasmekar.org/

Chihera is the Muchineripi family band from Zimbabwe, 3 generations of family members now living in Colorado: Grandfather Edward, parents Obert and Mandy, children Chipo, Veronica, Farai, and Chiedza.

Chihera plays, arranges, and composes Zimbabwean traditional and contemporary music. They have performed all over Colorado for numerous events. They were also invited twice to perform In Zimbabwean Music Festivals in Oregon.

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Stephen stumbled into performing theatre through PHAMALY’s first production in 1990.

His favorite roles are Gaston in “Beauty &B” (Best of Denver), Pharaoh in “Joseph &...”, McMurphy in “...Cuckoo’s Nest”, and Rooster in “Annie” (Marlowe Award). He still does theatre mainly for the powerful disability advocacy that it spawns.

Stephen would like to thank Deepali for the opportunity to help create, act in and Assistant Direct "I Remember". He especially likes doing shows where he gets to write his own story. He is thoroughly impressed with his fellow Actors' vulnerability and courage during this process.

THANKS & LOVE TO ALL!!!

Abraham Elahmadi is a second-generation Moroccan Muslim. 

This short play is a father-son in-depth and personal monologue about finding the balance between being a Muslim immigrant and trying to be just another average teenager and the father of that teenager. 

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Photo credit: Rory JS

Marvel Pierson has lived all her life in Colorado, earning a degree in Theater Arts in 1972 from UNC.

She performed in Community Theater throughout Denver in the '80s including at the Aurora Fox. 

She has been performing for several Senior entertainment groups since her retirement in 2015.

She recently participated in the Ms. Colorado Senior America pageant in 2019. 

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Marvel will be performing a collection of her favourite songs at the NAAF. 

Judith Rowe was born in Baltimore, Maryland.  Her father was a civil servant and her mother was a dance teacher; so she began a creative life at the age of three as a ballerina and a tap dancer. 

She continued dancing throughout her high school days but gave it up to become an English teacher.  Then in her 30s, she discovered theater and started acting in community theater in the Baltimore area. 

In 1974, she decided she was ready for stardom and moved to San Francisco.  Unfortunately, she found she was a very little frog in a very big theatrical pond.  After several years of being very poor, I gave up acting and took a job at the University of California.

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Upon retirement, she moved to Colorado. To her surprise, I have found incredible performance opportunities for senior citizens in the Aurora/Denver area.  Currently, Judy is a member of the Frolics Club, Heather Gardens in Aurora.  For the last several years she has acted and written and directed a show for this event. 

She is also a member of the Ms. Colorado Senior America organization which puts on an annual pageant for women over 60 years of age.  She is also a member of Seniors ’88, a performing group sponsored by the Aurora Center of Active Adults. 

This Fall she is writing and directing a play to be presented in November. 

Judy feels honored to add to my performing experience my participation in The New American Arts Festival.

Cipriano Ortega has been fortunate enough to have their work recognized and shown both nationally and internationally.

Cipriano strives to create works of art that probe the mind and make people question what they perceive as normative. Whether that is shown in music, theater, visual art, or some sort of culmination of all of the above; Cipriano enjoys blending all creative forms of expression.

As a sociological artist, Cipriano deconstructs the worlds around them and observes them from a nihilistic perspective. As indigenous POC, they also have no choice but to deal with colonialism head-on by making it a daily practice to see the divisions we as a society create and continue to make the ‘normative.'

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Cipriano Ortega will be presenting a song-storytelling performance titled, "Finding my voice in 5 years of solitude"

Lisa Gough has been performing with the Phamaly theatre since 2017, her first theatre production company since High School. 

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She lives with the difficulties and blessings of severe Traumatic Brain Injury along with the ramifications of C-PTSD or Complex- Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder. 

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She is thrilled to be part of the festival and be involved in a creative process for I Remember with other Cultural groups she would not normally meet. 

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For more information on C-PTSD, please visit the website cptsdfoundation.org

Venezuela Renaciente was founded in September 2019 in Denver, under the direction of Diana Meneses professional Venezuelan dancer and the collaboration of a group of Venezuelan enthusiasts who share in common the love for dance, folklore and Venezuelan culture, in order to keep their traditions alive.

One of the main objectives of Venezuela Renaciente is to highlight the Venezuelan values and culture within the Latino community, for this reason the school is open to different nationalities.

Currently we have members from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.

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Spoke N Motion Dance is a unique organization that unites the talents of dancers with and without disabilities in a unique, creative art form called integrated dance.  The troupe is comprised of dancers of all abilities and ages. The group includes individuals who are able-bodied, who are visually and hearing impaired, recovering from traumatic brain injury, and have Parkinson or autism. Some dancers use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. All of us love to dance! 

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Everyone is welcome at Spoke N Motion Dance! 

Integrated Dance allows people of different abilities to dance together and ensures dance opportunities are available to all.  

Movement and dance provide the artistic expression and have many physical, social, and mental benefits for participants. 

Integrated Dance is also a powerful tool to overcome stereotypes, for both dancers and our public audiences. 

Hailing from the very heart of Polynesia, the island of Savai’i in Samoa, High Chief I’iga “Vui” Siaosi, Master of the Ancient Moves, was bred in the art of cultural dances through a long family legacy.

One of his earlier accomplishments was being selected from the whole of Samoa to choreograph, direct, and perform on a tour of Europe, the US, and other countries on a World Fund Raising Tour.
 

Fiafia means happiness, joy, or a celebration. After its initial location in Phoenix, the group relocated to Denver.

A local favorite, talented Polynesian musicians, Hawaiian, Samoan and Tahitian dancers, and entertainers perform the tropical delights of the sights, sounds, and idyllic dances from Hawai’i and the South Pacific, featuring the spectacular Samoan Fire Dance.  

Batalá Rocky Mountains is an Afro-Brazilian percussion band specializing in samba-reggae and funk rhythms from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.

Founded in 2018, the band is the Colorado branch of a 24-year-old global music project called Batalá: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batala (music).

Batalá Rocky Mountains is currently a 10-piece percussion band, and growing!

More info: www.batalarockymountains.org

Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu is a non-profit association offering a comprehensive system of martial practices intended to cultivate the defense skills, health, knowledge, character, and spiritual development of its students.

Although the martial applications of Shaolin Hung Mei form its foundation, history, theory, philosophy, and culture are integral to its structure. The organization bridges the gap between Eastern and Western ideals and people by exposing the greater metro communities to a variety of Chinese traditions.  

More info: www.shaolinhungmei.org 

We are from Pennsylvania and taught guitar there for 30 years. We have two children and four grandchildren.

I have lived here in the sunny state for almost twenty years and we love it here.  I perform shows several times a week and I am fortunate to perform with some of the best musicians in Colorado    

Aloukika- is 15 years old and hails from Orissa, the east coast of India. 

She enjoys dancing and acting with the Phamaly theatre company. Aloukika has a very positive personality and loves to meet and make new friends.

She also loves to do community service and spread positivity!

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Aloukika is a big inspiration for all who want to dance. Take the first step and the rest will follow. Rythm is within us all, and when you start to move, it will flow naturally. 

Back by popular demand. Denver's famous drag queen will be re-visiting the festival and weaving her magic.

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Not to miss event for those who want to see something spectacular. 

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Jessica L'Whor is a nationally known drag entertainer, emcee, keynote speaker, philanthropist based out of Denver, CO.

Jessica has been in the Colorado drag scene for 8 years and has created her own business full time the last 5 years. Jessica works towards being able to do "a little bit of everything" in the drag world and for her community and truly believes in the power of uplifting the community.

More information coming soon...

A treat for those who love Japanese Taiko drums with a touch of Hip Hop, Spoken word, and clarinet.  

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JA-Ne (pronounced Jah-ney)

Mix Tape fuses traditional Japanese rhythms and melodies with contemporary flair. A performance project by Japanese Arts Network. 

Get ready for the heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping spectacle from the schoolyard scrappers. 

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And this time they will be accompanied by a live DJ, churning music like no tomorrow. 

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This is one show that will get you up on your feet and move and cheer and clap. 

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About the School of Breaking

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Be Yourself and Express freely!

We combine top-quality education in breaking and Hip Hop dance styles with compassionate leadership and a commitment to culture and community. 

We are the go-to Studio in Aurora and Denver for those who want to learn Breaking and Hip Hop culture and want to express themselves without fear. 

https://www.schoolofbreaking.com/

After many types of dance and movement, Rafi'ah fell in love with Middle Eastern dance, 30 years ago.

A featured performer at regional and national venues she teaches ongoing classes and workshops presents retreats and produces events.  

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A choreographer of various tyles of Bellydance, Rafi'ah adores poetry, is a costume collector, upcycler, and creator of unique redesigns.

 Rafi'ah believes that music, dance, and theatre open the hearts and builds stronger connections between communities.

Founder Alonso Leyva was born Mexico and raised in CA. His music career began at age 5, winning his first award for singing. 
Alonso attended Metropolitan State college of Denver, where he studied music, specifically saxophone. He played for 3 touring bands and recorded albums. He has received a Grammy award, appeared on several music videos and international television.
Recognizing a need for music education, Alonso founded Nueva Escuela de Musica in 2010
 

Morgan Wilson Dance is a contemporary dance class for dancers of all abilities.

The class creates a space to share a love for movement while exploring improvisational and choreographed dance.

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Mirai Daiko is an all-female taiko group comprised of second- through fourth-generation Japanese Americans and celebrates the heritage of Japanese drumming in America. 

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Photo credit Glenn Asakawa

Ni Shang Dance Academy located in Denver provides people the rare opportunity of learning dances that are rooted in traditional Chinese dance. 

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https://nishangdanceacademy.org/

Dustin Adams discovered Tabla several years ago and fell in love with it. He has been learning it ever since and today even plays it at various musical events.

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Just before the pandemic, Dustin had the chance to play Tabla for the Tiny Tots series organised by Inside the Orchestra. 

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A dance performance by the Filipino-American Community of Colorado. 

More info coming soon...

The mission of Inside the Orchestra is to bring orchestra music to young children in the greater Denver metropolitan community, cultivating music appreciation and enhancing their education through an engaging first-hand experience with the orchestra.

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https://insidetheorchestra.org/