Saturday, July 25, 2026 | Portage Park, Chicago
The Center of Peruvian Arts (COPA) proudly presented the Peruvian Arts and Cultural Festival at Portage Park, welcoming approximately 400 community members for an afternoon celebrating the music, dance, traditions, and cultural heritage of Peru. The festival was conceived, produced, and artistically directed by Maestros Rubén Pachas and Jessica Loyaga, President and Vice President of COPA.
The celebration began with a Dance of the Scissors workshop led by Maestro Yana Paqcha, followed by a Marinera Norteña workshop with champions Catalina Muñoz and MarÃa José. The audience then enjoyed the presentation of six Peruvian Paso horses, thanks to Chelsea Schaal of El Dorado Peruvian Horse.
One of the highlights was Catalina Muñoz, the Queen of Marinera in California, performing Marinera Norteña with a Peruvian Paso horse, creating a spectacular connection between dance and Peruvian horsemanship.
The program continued with a Pachamama ritual ceremony led by Yana Paqcha and Rubén Pachas, followed by traditional dances including Qaytu Tiñi, a Quechua dance representing the dyeing of alpaca wool, and Llameritos de Parinacochas, celebrating the birth of a llama.
The audience also enjoyed the music of Solandino, an Andean ensemble with more than 20 years of experience, as well as a special Marinera Norteña performance by MarÃa José and Rubén Pachas. The celebration concluded with Edward Carpio y Su Clave, bringing the community together through salsa and dance.
COPA thanks the Chicago Park District, its representative Margaret, all participating artists, musicians, dancers, volunteers, and community members who helped make this celebration possible.
We invite you to visit our photo gallery and relive some of the special moments from this beautiful celebration of Peruvian culture in Chicago.
Photography: Keng Sisavath (two photographs); Jessica Loyaga, Co-Founder of the Center of Peruvian Arts (additional photographs).
