Movimiento Music
A FREE and ALL AGES concert series intentionally amplifying Denver’s unique history as it relates to the Chicano Movement, also referred to as "El Movimiento" and how the legacy is alive through the arts and music in our city today.
About the series
Movimiento Music was inspired by Celesté Martinez of Celestial Alegria, who is currently a Community Scholar supporting oral history collection for Documenting the Past Fostering the Future (DPFF) at the University of Denver Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Study of (In)Equality (IRISE) and leader of Soy Celesté. All the artists included in this series previously shared their oral history through an interview or during a panel activity for this academic project. As each artist shared their testimonio, Celesté was eager to find a way for their music and live performances to also be included in the growing DPFF archive. With the financial support of Denver Arts & Venues Culture Plan Fund, this series will be live-streamed on the Colorful Colorado Collaborations YouTube channel from the audio visual support of We Are Denver, and recordings will be archived with DPFF and then later with History Colorado.
All Movimiento Music shows will be hosted at D3 Arts 3632 Morrison Rd Denver, CO 80219
Doors at 7pm and Show at 7:30pm
This series is presented by Colorful Colorado Collaborations, Manos Sagrados and Indie 102.3 in celebration of Latin Heritage Month!
Meet the Artists
Lolita
Lolita, a passionate Mexican-American artist, embodies the transformative power of music in addressing societal issues. Her musical journey began with a resounding impact in 2019, swiftly gaining recognition for her authentic and diverse compositions. With eleven singles in her discography and a substantial following on Spotify, Lolita fearlessly explores themes ranging from police brutality to cultural stereotypes, utilizing music as a vehicle for change and unity. A graduate of the University of Colorado in Music Business & Entertainment Studies, Lolita's roots in Colorado run deep. Raised in Denver's Five Points and later settling in Aurora, she intimately understands the challenges faced by local communities. Through her music, Lolita not only sheds light on these issues but actively engages in fostering solutions. Her artistic endeavors extend beyond performances to impactful artist residencies within schools and organizations. These programs provide a creative haven for youth to discuss pressing social justice matters, empowering them to communicate and effect positive change through music and songwriting. Lolita's music, described as "Antifascist Joyful Pop Music," stand as testaments to her commitment to societal transformation. Driven by a belief in the unifying force of music, Lolita seeks to expand her outreach, bringing art's empowering influence to the world.
Soy Celesté
Soy Celesté is a Latin Feminist Punk music project from unceded Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho lands also referred to as Denver, CO. Celesté Martinez (she/her/ella) is the creator, lead vocalist, and guitarist of Soy Celesté. She is proudly supported by her bandmates stevie gunter (any/all) on bass and Saladin Thomas (he/him) on drums. Their emotionally charged sound melds Latin Folk and Riot Grrrl punk rock through creative imagery to ignite social change.
“Feminista Manifestó” is a debut 15-track album that captures more layers to Celesté’s story, identity, and intersectional feminist politics. This collection of songs includes a combination of original works and intentionally selected covers that actively captures the band’s unique sound. The aspiration is for this debut album to be as accessible as a Riot Grrrl zine- something that can be picked up and flipped through leaving an impression, a question, a point of curiosity.
Los Mocochetes
Los Mocochetes are a Chicano Funk band from Denver, CO. This colorful cast of characters fuses thoughtfully brazen, socio/politically charged song lyrics, groovilicious melodies and high-energy stage antics to create an immersive experience unlike anything you've ever seen before. Much like a machete, which can be used either as a tool to build or a weapon to kill, they have chosen to use their music to inspire and encourage positive social change. Every show is different, but it’s always a dance party with a purpose!
Los Mocochetes received the Westword Music Showcase award for Best Latin Band of 2017 and Best Funk Band of 2018. They were named Colorado Standout for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest 2018 and opened for contest winner Naia Izumi on the Denver stop of his national tour. The current lineup features artists with a wide variety of influences. They are poets, singers, painters, rappers, actors, musicians, dancers, producers, composers, dreamers, doers, thinkers. They are gente who make music together and enjoy all forms of creativity. The Mocochetes are here to ignite a fire in every audience member to enjoy the moment and then go out and make a difference!
LatinSoul
Felisa Hernandez aka “LatinSoul” has been immersed in the Colorado music scene since the age of 14 years old and is one of the top leading Latina vocalists in Denver, Colorado. Her versatility and talent are showcased within Hip-Hop/R&B/Latin/Pop & Gospel. Her soulful sound along with her Mexican and Indigenous heritage helped facilitate her crossover into the Latin music scene, opening for artists such as El Alfa, Hector El Godfather, Los Hermanos Rosarios, Anthony Santos, Elvis Crespo and more. LatinSoul is a vocal student of Dr Scott Martin whom graduated from the school of Juliards who has also trained Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Patsy Cline, Leonard Bernstein, The Frey, Cece Winans, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Willie Nelson & more! In 2005 LatinSoul's single "Esta Noche" was requested more than Daddy Yankee "Gasolina" on La Mega 95.7FM, and she had an offer from Sony Latino for distribution. In 2010 she was featured on a song with Colorado veteran D-DUBB titled “This Is My Town” which was shouted out to be Denver's Anthem of the time. Earlier this year LatinSoul released her latest album "Queendom" which is said to be her best project yet!
Pink Hawks
Pink Hawks, the only Xicanxbeat orchestra (Afrobeat | Hip-Hop | Cumbia), plays all original, future-traditional music that moves the soul and taps your toe! Grab your dancing shoes, your body will thank you later.
"As much artistic revolutionaries as musicians, Pink Hawks bring the struggle for a more interesting world home to roost," said Tom Murphy from Queen City Sounds In his coverage of the Underground Music Showcase.
Westword Magazine writer A.H. Goldstein paints a narrative: "I jostled through the crowd to find a spot at the front of the room. The effort was worth it 'Pink Hawks' set was easily one of the most dynamic and infectious of the night."
Miguel Aviña
Miguel Aviña is a Mexican singer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the band iZCALLi. He has enjoyed consistent success and is widely credited as one of the key artists of the Rock En Tu Idioma (RETI) movement in Colorado.
As a solo artist, Miguel takes the opportunity to journey into a deeper exploration of music. His lyrics and melodies resonate from the heart and exude raw emotions. These are best exposed through a more simple approach… his voice and his guitar.
Miguel’s repertoire includes all original songs from his storied career with iZCALLi as well as unreleased songs from his own personal collection. There is something familiar yet refreshing about Miguel’s approach to song-writing that showcases Miguel’s passion for The Love Song; these songs exhibit his wide range of influences from traditional folk ballads, pop, indie sounds, and are always tinged with a Latin flare, a flare that takes you into your heart warms the soul.