CulturalFest Countdown: Meet Los Rebeldes de la Cueca
The CulturalFest Performance Showcase on February 2 will feature 11 performing artists and groups who will share cultures from around the world on the Meany Hall stage. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more about the performers who will be sharing their talents at CulturalFest. First up: Los Rebeldes de la Cueca.
How did your group begin?
Los Rebeldes de la Cueca are the natural heirs of various Chilean folk groups who have been present in the Northwest since 1978. We love sharing and showing our culture with the local community at cultural events, universities and community centers. Our main objective is to contribute to the richness of multiculturalism in the Seattle community.
We perform dances from different areas of Chile. A lot of them have Spanish influence, while others are inspired by the pre-Columbian cultures and their interaction with the Spanish conquerors.
What inspired you to perform at CulturalFest? What do you hope the audience will learn from your performance?
FIUTS allows us to share our culture with the University of Washington community. It gives us the opportunity to share the stage with other nationalities, and meet people from other places and learn from their cultures.
We bring colorful and lively dances from the northern region of Chile. Some of these dances show the fusion between the indigenous culture and the Spanish conquerors in the area. These dances honor the pachamama or mother earth, and are danced in the highlands of the Atacama Desert. Music, dance, color, and joy are the elements that represent our last dance called Diablada. This dance represents the struggle between good and evil, according to the interpretation of the native peoples, and is usually performed in the most important religious festivity in the country.
What is the significance of your performance in connecting your group to your own culture?
Our performance of folk dances from northern Chile invites the audience to take an imaginary trip to small towns in the highlands of Chile. Some of our dances are from La Tirana, where indigenous and religious festivities embrace the sounds and colors of these dances. These dances are the ultimate ways of expression of folk culture enjoyed by locals and tourists.
Learn more about Los Rebeldes de la Cueca on Facebook, and come see their performance on February 2!
CulturalFest Ticket Information:
General admission tickets are on sale now for $15 online or in the FIUTS office (HUB 206). Kids 10 and under are free (a child ticket is required). Discounted student tickets are available for $10 in advance ($15 at the door).