A Decade of Cultural celebration: El Puente Returns

For the thirteenth consecutive year, the Tempe Arts Center, in collaboration with the Cultural Coalition, proudly presents El Puente, a vibrant and free family festival showcasing the rich multicultural tapestry of the Valley. This year’s event promises to be another unforgettable experience,filled with music,dance,and storytelling,highlighting the incredible talent of young artists in our community.

A Day of Artistic Immersion

El Puente, meaning the bridge in Spanish, lives up to its name by connecting communities through art and culture.The festival is renowned for its lively community parade, a symbolic procession across the iconic Lake Tempe bridge.Attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse range of performances, from the captivating sounds of Mariachi bands to the graceful movements of Folkloric Ballet.The festival also offers a variety of engaging educational and artistic activities tailored for young people of all ages. These include free books, hands-on crafts, and interactive experiences designed to ignite creativity and encourage movement to the rhythm of live music.

The Cultural Coalition: Fostering Community Through Art

The Cultural Coalition,the driving force behind El Puente,has a rich history of community engagement. Founded in 1996 by local artists and activists, the institution is dedicated to addressing pressing social issues through innovative art programs. Their mission is to foster collaboration between organizations, schools, and individuals, empowering them to create impactful neighborhood art initiatives. according to their mission statement, the coalition aims to develop innovative ways of addressing critically important social problems and, simultaneously occurring, promoting the participation of organizations, schools and individuals in the creation of neighborhood art programs.

Festival Highlights and Schedule

The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) will be transformed into a hub of artistic activity, with various areas dedicated to different aspects of the performing arts. Food trucks will be available outdoors, offering a variety of culinary delights to complement the artistic feast.

Event Schedule:

Lobby

• 11:00 AM: Welcome by Zarco Guerrero
• 12:00 PM: Story narration by Violet Duncan
• 1:00 PM: Book reading by Felicia Cocotzín
• 2:15 PM: Folk ballet Quetzalli AZ

North Patio

• 11:10 AM: Aro dance by Cooper Nez
• 2:30 PM: Line up for the parade
• 2:45 PM: Community parade

Plan Your Visit

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Location: Tempe Center for the Arts – 700 W Rio Salado pkwy, Tempe, AZ

Admission: Free (Tickets required for actions within the study)

Parking: Free parking is available west of the Tempe Arts Center and north of Rio Salado parkway on Hardy Drive. Remember to validate your parking ticket inside the center.

More Information: Call 480-350-2822