Family Lunada Next Lunada: June 22nd In small towns and pueblos around Mexico, community members come together informally on the night of the full moon to share stories, poetry and music. Join us as we recreate this charming tradition at the Museum. Other 2013 Lunada dates: July 20th August 17th Download the flyer June 22nd Performance Schedule Please join us for a very special celebration of the art of dance! Special Featured Performers: Grupo Folklórico Alika del Nayar: CDM is happy to welcome our featured performing dance group to CDM for the first time. The group was founded nearly 20 years ago by Maestro Cipriano Galindo, a native of the Mexican state of Nayarit. The group's name also comes from Nayarit and honors the last king of the indigenous Cora people, King Nayar. Alika, refers the name of the mountains surrounding Tepic, the capital of the state, and translates to dove in the Cora dialect. The group consists of both youth and adult dancers who specialize in the dances of the states and regions of Nayarit, Jalisco, Veracruz, and Tamaulipas among others. Alika del Nayar makes their home at the Mayfair Community Center in East San Jose and performs at festivals and community events throughout the Bay Area. Indian Aagan Bollywood Dance: Founded by Sunita Raj, this dance school consists of young dancers who perform both traditional and contemporary dances from India. Ms. Raj is the owner, creative director, and choreographer. She teaches at several locations across the Bay Area. She believes that dance is a universal language and has no barriers of language, gender, and age. Students of India Aangan Bollywood Dance start dancing as young as 3 years-old. They perform at community celebrations all over the Bay Area including last year’s highly successful Diwali celebration in Fremont. For more information on Indian Aagan Bollywood Dance, visit the group’s Web site. Kawailehua Hula Ohana: Founded 27 years ago by Lorie Roldan-Almogela and her husband, Chris Almogela, the goal of the group is to perpetuate Polynesian culture whether it be through history, dance, language, tradition, or music. Ms. Almogela has over 27 years experience in Polynesian dance, while her husband has over 14 years experience with Tahitian drumming. The group grew with inspiration and guidance from Ms. Almogela’s Aunt Loke Rose Thomas. Kawailehua Hula Ohana is a family-oriented hula group. Not only are the dancers involved, but so are the parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunties. Dancers range in age from 3 to adult with a large percentage being teens and kids. The group has won awards in several competitions throughout northern California and Hawaii and performs at events and community celebrations throughout the Bay Area. For more information on Kawailehua Hula Ohana, visit the group’s Web site. Mad Molly: Mad Molly is a lively group of dancers who dress in brightly colored rag skirts, leggings, shirts, vests, and wildly decorated top hats. The dancers paint their faces in a variety of striking shades. Molly dancing is a form of Morris dancing and comes from East Anglia in England. It’s associated with Plough Monday, the first Monday after Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, in early January. Not much is known about the origins of the dance style, except that Molly dances were based on country dances, the social dances of the 1800s. Mad Molly performs at seasonal celebrations all over the Bay Area and is sponsored by the Bay Area Country Dance Society. For more information on Mad Molly, visit the group’s Web site. Nelson Dance Company: Founded by Director, Bettie Nelson, the company has been in existence for 40 years. The group members range in age from 5 to adult and perform a variety of dance styles from jazz, to tap, to hip-hop. The group has taken top honors in national dance competition events and is a past national champion in the Thunderstruck Dance Competition series. The group makes its home in downtown San Jose, and performs regularly at county fairs and church functions throughout the Bay Area. But wait, there's more! Visit the Art Loft where you will participate in a special art activity! Check out our Curious George exhibit. Don't forget the free food and drinks.   Thank you to the sponsor of the Lunada: 2013 Lunada dates: April 27th June 22nd July 20th August 17th