Two peaks, one community

WALSENBURG — Tiana Camacho Mercier graces the stage with an El Fandango performance. Photo by Helena Cappon by Helena Cappon WALSENBURG — Earlier this week, the Fox Theatre in Walsenburg played host to an arts and culture night that showcased Huerfano County’s musicians, dancers, history, and poetry. [caption id=“attachment_69122” align=“alignleft” width=“300”] Tiana Camacho Mercier graces the stage with an El Fandango performance. Photo by Helena Cappon[/caption] Community advocate and overall dedicated resident Sandy Dolak worked with the Spanish Peaks Library District, Fox Theatre and Huajatolla Heritage Foundation to put on the evening for community members.

Walsenburg even played host to out-of-town guest Warm Cookies of the Revolution, a non profit focused on Civic Health. In their words, they have “engaged tens of thousands of regular folks who would never otherwise show up to talk about taxes, zoning, policy, and moral issues like forgiveness, friendship, obedience, and love-and then they get more active. If given the opportunity, most people want to exercise their civic health, we just have to make sure to make it connected to their lives and most importantly, fun. ” Adrian H Molina, a representative of Warm Cookies of the Revolution took the stage as Master of Ceremonies, and kicked the night off by empowering the audience, having everyone “declare we are human beings,” amongst other positive affirmations.

After everyone was warmed up and ready to enjoy the show, Tiana Camacho Mercier took to the stage in a whirl of pink, green and yellow, dancing in the tradition of El Fandango. Through several songs, Mercier commanded the stage and never once lost her glittering smile or broke a sweat. The guitar stylings of David Enke followed Mercier as an accompaniment to David Stephan’s detailed and fascinating history of Huerfano County. Stephan began with the formation of the Spanish Peaks themselves, how they pushed through the earth and became what we see today, and wove his way through the tapestry that is Huerfano, from the rivers that pass through, to the indigenous people who resided around the area, to the Latinos who came from the San Luis Valley, to coal miners and ranchers who eventually settled here.

The audience was also privy to a presentation by Yul Jorgenson, local artist and muralist on the work he and others have done to literally paint the town, and the work they have planned for the rest of the year. Jorgenson has worked with business owners and community members to complete projects like the Crafty Canary Alley, the Laundromat, Iconic Dental and more. The night ended with poetry live scribed by Adrian H Molina, as well as with the announcement that the community partners involved in this showcase were able to raise $7,000 to be used in upcoming community events like this one in the next six months. The focus of these events is to articulate the connection between all the towns in our county, and bring together artists, community members, and those who love Huerfano and its rich history and cultures within.

“We put together events to honor youth and elders, arts and cultures in the community,” explains Dolak. She, along with these community partners and other locals are looking to get involved and will continue this series, provide space and a platform for more community members to take the stage, or participate in events dedicated to the arts and cultures of Huerfano County. For more information on Warm Cookies of the Revolution, visit their website warmcookiesoftherevolution. org.

For more information on the Huajatolla Heritage Foundation, visit their website hhfoundation. org. For more information on the Fox Theatre, visit their website foxtheatrewalsenburg. org.

For more information on the Spanish Peaks Library District, visit your local library.