Denver partners with 10 sister cities around the world through nonprofit Denver Sister Cities International (DSCI) to exchange ideas and celebrate together through cultural, educational and humanitarian initiatives.
This month, Denver will celebrate its 40th anniversary of city sisterhood with Cuernavaca, Mexico with a three-day Taste of Mexico celebration. The event will showcase the relationship between the two cities at Larimer Square starting Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23.
Guests will be able to take part in free and ticketed cross-cultural events like language classes, live music, Sotol and Mezcal tastings, Lucha Libre, family-friendly crafts, celebrity chef dinners and a vendors market.
An official kick-off ceremony will take place Friday, July 21, 5-7 p.m. featuring guest speakers and live music by Mariachi Aguilas.
There will also be a pop-up art gallery, located at 1417 Larimer St, showcasing the works of local artists Victor Escobedo, Cal Duran and Diego Flores-Arroyo.
"In this exhibit, Florez-Arroyo, Duran, and Escobedo tell stories of resilience, power and joy through the use of familial language and the reimagined ancient iconography of their Mexican roots," said curator and Denver artist Moe Gram. "Meditation, ancient medicine, and ritual are mediums that bring this dynamic show to life."
The gallery's opening celebration will be Thursday, July 20 from 5-9 p.m. and they will also host an artist panel to be facilitated by Denver artist and educator Karma Leigh on Saturday, July 22 from 2:30-4 p.m. The public will be able to meet the artists and listen to them talk about the featured artwork.
"I channel the artisans, craft-makers, mud-dwellers, star-makers, dream-weavers and earth-brothers and sisters, the ones who paved the way and forged the path," Duran said. "I have roots that bridge India, Mexico and the natives of this land and I enjoy exploring parallels between my hybrid identities found in myth, religion and ritual."
The gallery will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, July 21, noon-9 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 23.
Just in case you were curious, Denver's other sister cities are:
Axum, Ethiopia
Brest, France
Chennai, India
Karmiel, Israel
Kunming, China
Nairobi, Kenya
Potenza, Italy
Takayama, Japan
Ulanbaatar, Mongolia
