ALAMOSA – In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Adams State University Equity Board and El Llamado Hispano, a committee of the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce, organized the San Luis Valley’s Got Talent contest and performance at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, in Richardson Hall Auditorium.  

Six groups and individuals will perform artistic works that showcase songs in English and Spanish as well as dance, highlighting themes in Hispano/Latinx cultures. The event is free and open to the public. 

San Luis Valley’s Got Talent is inspired by the traditions of the mythical fandango of the greater Mexico, including the American Southwest. Previous generations of the San Luis Valley and the larger Hispano worlds, created fandangos to gather, perform, and celebrate. The identity of the Valley community was created through performance and play. 

“Just like generations before us, we aim to bring the diverse peoples of the valley together for a joyful celebration of life and community through performance,” said event organizer Yula Cisneros Montoya. 

The artists and groups include Gladis de la Cruz, Old School Adams State College Performance Team, L8GACY Project, Courtney Espinoza, Yesenia García, and Semillas de la Tierra. 

The event will have the extra excitement of prizes that performers will earn for their ingenuity and stagecraft. A jury made up of esteemed community members has the challenging job of determining first, second, and third places with cash awards of $700, $500, and $300 as well as other complimentary prizes. The jury consists of Julie Chacon, Dannette Jacquez, Patricia Jirón, Freddie Jaquez, Sarah Manzanares, José Alcorta, and Mariah Ingram. Jason Medina will be the master of ceremony. 

Guest artists have also been invited to perform. Groups such as Mariachi Corazón del Valle, soloist artist The Seekah, and duet Pedro Lara Alvidrez and Marvin Osmelido Baltazar Juárez will share their artistry. While they will not be competing for the prizes, they will be an extra bonus for the audience to witness some of the extraordinary talents in the San Luis Valley. 

SLV’s Got Talent has been made possible because of the committed employees of Adams State University and SLV organizations and businesses. In earlier times, our ancestors organized fandangos to build a sense of togetherness and common identity among all the residents. These traditions continue but in different forms. Today we also work through institutions and organizations that are dedicated to building a stronger, more democratic community. The Adams State University Equity Board, Department of Spanish, and Department of Sociology have provided funds, volunteers, the venue, and infrastructure to make the event possible. The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, First Southwest Community Fund, and First Southwest Bank provided funds for marketing and prizes. Businesses such as Vinrock media, Amie Hazlett, Switching Gears, and Yula - Pilates and Movement Studio made generous donations. Lastly, Yula Cisneros Montoya and El Llamado Hispano, a committee of the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce, organized the event. 

“San Luis Valley’s Got Talent is a celebration of our beautiful humanity in its most lively, contemporary form,” said Montoya. “Let’s gather together to witness the depth of performances that allow us to celebrate our connections based on heritage, locality, proximity, and common aspirations for more elevated aesthetic experiences that make us feel whole.” 

The event will provide light refreshments, antojitos, in the intermezzo. 

Free tickets are available at Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Tienda Latina, Wild Boot’s by Olivia’s, Alamosa Welcome Center. Or register for your free tickets at the QR codes on our publicity and through the following link: https://forms.gle/3FnZb5ZpXdGmLXur8.