Cultural Program
When we learn to understand others, we improve our chances of making things better in an increasingly multicultural world.
Our cultural program includes many dance and music productions especially created to promote and preserve the hispanic heritage for the communities who are anxious to keep their cultural traditions while living abroad. Furthermore, this is a first step to promote acceptance and understanding among people of different cultures and societies, as well as to promote the same understanding particularly in the United States, Latin-America and Europe.
For more information about how to get one of these fantastic productions in your next event, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Latin America in the AMERICAS
Latin America is a huge region formed by the group of countries in America where Romance languages (derived from Latin) predominate, such as Spanish, Portuguese and French. Geographically it includes most of the American continent, from the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in South America to the Rio Bravo on the border between Mexico and the United States in North America.
The Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston (IHCH) is excited to announce and present, "Latin America in The Americas”, a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture timed with the “Día de la Hispanidad.” This captivating event, produced by DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts, showcases a rich tapestry of traditions through dance, music, and audiovisual presentations, aligning with IHCH's dedication to preserving and disseminating Hispanic culture in Houston.
The event features artistic direction and creation by award-winning choreographer Maria Fernanda Urbaez. It includes performances from both internationally recognized and local award-nominated artists. Local guest companies include Danmar Dance Company, Mixteco Ballet Folklorico, M&T Dance, Casino Stars, LD Entertainment Co., Raices del Peru and Caporales de Bolivia in Houston.
Structured into four segments, the program explores distinct regions of Latin America, each segment dedicated to celebrating and fostering appreciation for the diversity within South America, North America, Central America and the Latin Islands of the Caribbean. The magnificent costumes used by the extraordinary dancers complete this timeless original work by DANMAR honoring the “Dia de la Hispanidad 2025”.
ANAHUAC, a paradise between waters
The pre-Hispanic peoples of the Valley of Mexico referred to what we now call Mexico as Anahuac. This word meant “earth surrounded by water”, but it was also used to refer to the entire universe in the native Mayan language Nahuatl.
Mexican Americans come from a country rich in developed culture. In fact, long before the Spanish conquistadors arrived, and for thousands of years, Mexico was already the cultural center of America, with a concentration of highly advanced cultures and empires.
Mexico has an incredibly culture, traditions, languages and many folkloric dances that represent each state of the Mexican Republic. These dances have united Mexicans and create a deeply rooted and cherished cultural focal point. Women and men participate in folk dances that weave a tapestry of myths, legends, stories and traditions of the country.
In each costume, hairstyle, braids or flowers that are placed on the head, accessories, and in general the way of performing these Mexican dances have been preserved through several generations of proud Mexicans. Yes, that’s Mexico!
This large-scale professional caliber production by DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts under the artistic direction of Maria Fernanda Urbaez and musical direction of Eddy Marcano, is presented by the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, to attract a diverse audience, and to support cultural tourism. The superb choreographies are accompanied by magical music arranged and played live by Grammy Award winners, succeeding one another at an intense pace. The magnificent costumes used by the extraordinary dancers complete this timeless production of DANMAR honoring the “Día de la Hispanidad”.
IDA y VUELTA, a cross-cultural encounter
between Spain and Latin America
The Hispanic Day has always been presented as a social fact of colonization and slavery. On this occasion we highlight the huge importance and legacy of the cultural exchange that was generated mainly in music and dance after the discovery and conquest of the territory, today known as America and that has greatly influenced both Latin America and Spain. ¿Ida y Vuelta (Roundtrip) rhythms? Yes, but there is much more.
Many years ago, in Seville Spain it was believed that "Pobre Miguel" was a typical song from Triana, Seville. However, the truth is that it is an Andalusian adaptation of a Colombian vallenato. The influence of Spanish music on the music of Latin American countries integrated European cultures with the autochthonous, producing a transculturation with characteristics of each nation. Thus, the characterization of the most important expressions of Spanish music after the 15th century, and the relationship of the Spanish musical elements assumed by American culture in its process of “Mestizaje” then form the cross-cultural encounter between Spain and America Latina.
It is not just the Rumba, the Vidalita, the Guajira, the Milonga, the Colombianas or the Habaneras, or even the Tangos; It's just those things that keep coming and going out constantly.
Even today we are going back and forth since Columbus arrived in Guanahani (San Salvador) in the 15th century from Palos de la Frontera, Spain.
This large-scale professional caliber production by DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts under the artistic direction of Maria Fernanda Urbaez and musical direction of Baden Goyo and Eddy Marcano, is presented by the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, to attract a diverse audience, and to support cultural tourism. The superb choreographies are accompanied by the magical fusion music arranged and played live and recorded by Grammy Award winners, succeeding one another at a frantic pace. The magnificent costumes used by the extraordinary dancers complete this timeless production of DANMAR honoring the “Día de la Hispanidad”.
Ole La La... a story of love and betrayal.
Ole La La is a unique and full-scale production of entirely original work that combines pure Flamenco art with a range of choreographic trends mixed with illusion, glamour, elegance, sequins, feathers, and the talent of dancers and musicians delighting the audience as they brighten the stage.
This story of love and betrayal occurred just before the opening of the glamorous, elegant, and long-awaited restaurant-club Ole La La. It will open its doors for the first time and has prepared a spectacular Flamenco fusion show.
This production showcases original choreography by DANMAR's award-winning Artistic Director, Maria Fernanda Urbaez, as well as the grace and artistry of DANMAR's professional dance company and special Houston based artists.
Through my Eyes, a tribute to the culture, beauty and treasures of Venezuela
An entire country is transformed before your eyes, hiding the borders of space and time. A vibrant fantasy journey with spectacular music and dance numbers in which the emblems of the regions are distributed through the various scenes. The superb choreographies led by Maria Fernanda Urbaez are accompanied by the magical Venezuelan fusion music arranged and played live by Grammy Award winners, succeed one another at a frantic pace. The flamboyant and magnificent costumes used by the extraordinary dancers complete this timeless production of DANMAR to honor a great country.
Venezuela is a popular country which in recent times, is known for its political and social situation. Notwithstanding, its cultural riches, its natural beauties, its people and its treasures have moved to a second place. With this large-scale production, “Through my Eyes”, DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts presents to the world another vision of this magnificent country. The “Mestizaje” was the greatest work of art achieved by the Spaniards in the New World, a mixture of European, Africans and Indigenous people. One of the most evident qualities of Venezuelan music and dance is its diversity and unique blending of rhythmic styles that arrived in the Americas, evolved and became influential.
CARMEN, a Merimee story, Bizet music
CARMEN is a love, tragedy and freedom story, a history of social rejection against independent women. A courageous gypsy woman who preferred to die rather than lose the freedom of determining her own life …
Carmen is the product of diverse cultures and social classes. Flamenco live music magically combined with original music by Bizet takes us to a cultural journey to the Andalusia region of the nineteenth century.
This production showcases original choreography by DANMAR's award-winning Artistic Director, Maria Fernanda Urbaez, as well as the grace and artistry of DANMAR's professional dance company and special Houston based artists and companies.
America Latina, a mosaic of Cultural Expressions
A full-scale production of entirely original work, “AMERICA Latina, a mosaic of Cultural Expressions” honoring Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela and the roots of the Latin American culture.
Latin America is the product of many diverse cultures with shared roots and a common tongue. One of the most evident qualities of Latin American music and dance is its diversity and unique blending of styles. The celebration of the bicentennial of several of the countries in the region gave us a great opportunity to celebrate Latin America’s history as well as cultural heritage.
Because of our Hispanic heritage, our first objective is to promote the Hispanic culture beginning at its origins and moving on through our history. That is why our cultural spectrum showcases a variety of music and dances with roots in the Middle East, Africa, Spain and North, Central and South American Natives. This initiative also helps DANMAR to raise funds as one of the funding sources of our programs.
DANZA Sinfonica Hispanoamericana
In order to promote the music created by many Hispanic composers as Manuel de Falla, Alberto Ginastera, Camargo Guarnieri, Garcia Caturla, Jose Pablo Moncayo, Silvestre Revueltas to name a few, DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts, along with the soloist dancer Maria Fernanda Urbaez and the Venezuelan conductor and violinist Eddy Marcano, produced “Gala Hispanoamericana de la Danza Sinfónica” which has been presented four times in Venezuela sponsored in part by FESNOJIV and the Rotary Club Torbes.
These amazing concerts were performed by the “Orquesta Sinfónica Nueva Esparta” in February 2008, “Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil de Chacao” in July 2008, “Orquesta Simón Bolivar del Táchira” in March 2009 and “Orquesta Sinfónica de Yaracuy” in December 2009.
FLAMENCO Intimacy & Masterpiece Concert
Intimacy is a flowing process that takes place over time and is presented in various forms.
One form of intimacy is knowledgeable intimacy where two people exchange thoughts, share ideas and enjoy similarities and differences between their opinions – the artists and their culture.
A second form of intimacy is experiential intimacy where a group of people get together to actively involve themselves with each other, probably saying very little to each other, not sharing any thoughts, but being involved in mutual activities with one another – the audience and their culture.
A third form of intimacy is emotional intimacy where artists and audience can comfortably share their feelings with each other or when they empathize with the feelings of the other person, really try to understand and try to be aware of the other person’s emotional side – FLAMENCO Intimacy & Masterpiece Concert
The production showcases original choreography by Entreflamenco's award-winning Artistic Director Antonio Granjero and also by DANMAR’s award-winning Artistic Director Maria Fernanda Urbaez. The music is based on original Flamenco work exclusively arranged for this concert.
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