By The People: Traditions in Dialogue (Mexican Music)

The first of a three-part public program series presented by WACultures will bring together teams from Washington's Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program to reflect on heritage arts and their communities. This event focuses on musics from Mexico, with the founders of a mariachi in conversation with a family who make son jarocho music together. A demonstration and public Q & A further invite the public to engage in conversations about the complexities and strengths of the diverse nature of America.

Participants

Hunter Family:

• Yesenia Navarrete Hunter, Master Artist (son jarocho), Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program 2023-2024
• James Hunter, multi-instrumentalist
• “A” Hunter, Apprentice (son jarocho), Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program 2023-2024
• Ellah Hunter, Apprentice (comidas y tejidos), Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program 2023-2024

Daniel Cedeño, Master Artist (mariachi), Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program 2022-2023

Yajayra Ramirez, Apprentice (mariachi), Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program 2022-2023

Christopher Mena, Ph.D, moderator

Violeta Martin, Director of Programs at Humanities Washington

This program is sponsored through By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the U.S., its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation's cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Humanities Washington opens minds and bridges divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. Founded in 1973, Humanities Washington is our state’s flagship nonprofit for public humanities programming and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at humanities.org.

WACultures' Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program provides support to a master artist and apprentice to preserve cultural traditions important to their community. WACultures also promotes cultural traditions and tradition bearers through research and publications. From peoples who’ve existed here since time immemorial to diverse newcomers, WACultures recognizes the diverse spectrum that makes Washington a unique cultural landscape.

WACultures is the NEA state folklife partner for folk and traditional arts and is presented by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Humanities Washington and WACultures