This page is for update the events that we already did and future events.
Center of Peruvian Arts is honored to participate in World Dumpling Fest 2026, celebrating Peruvian culture through music and dance on Saturday, September 19, at Wrightwood Park in Chicago.
Center of Peruvian Arts is honored to participate in Brookfield Zoo’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, sharing the richness and diversity of Peruvian culture through music, dance, and the performing arts. Join us on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10 AM to 6 PM at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 4638 N. Melvina Ave., Chicago, IL 60630
Program
1:00–1:45 PM → Peruvian Dance Workshop
2:00–2:45 PM → Cajón Instrument Workshop
3:00–4:00 PM → Live Music & Traditional Peruvian Dance Performances
• Peruvian Dance Workshops
• Cajón Instrument Workshops
• Live Music & Cultural Performances
• Traditional Peruvian Cuisine & Beverages
• Educational and Family-Friendly Activities
We are also pleased to share that Mr. Ruben Pachas, Fine Arts teacher, will lead the workshops and present traditional Peruvian dance performances with his dance company, contributing to the educational and artistic experience of the festivals.
For more information, please visit:
🌐 https://www.centerofperuvianarts.com/events
We warmly invite the entire Chicago community to join us in celebrating culture, education, and unity through the arts this summer
On behalf of the Center of Peruvian Art, Culture and Education and the Chicago Park District – Night Out in the Parks, we are pleased to invite the Chicago community to our 2026 Peruvian Arts & Cultural Festival Series. We sincerely thank you for your continued support in sharing our cultural programs and helping us promote cultural awareness, arts education, and community engagement. This invitation is for free, family-friendly cultural and educational festivals open to all ages. The events will feature Peruvian music, traditional dance, interactive workshops, live performances, and authentic cuisine that celebrate Peru’s rich heritage. We warmly invite families, students, and community members to join us in these cultural celebrations held in Chicago parks. For the safety and well-being of all participants, all events are alcohol-free and designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
Learn and enjoy traditional dances from Peru.
Experience the rhythm and energy of Peru’s iconic percussion instrument.
Equestrian presentation (6 horses) + special Marinera dance segment (5 minutes).
Presented by Center of Peruvian Arts and Solandino Band.
Enjoy delicious Peruvian cuisine and traditional beverages from:
Lima Restaurant
Avenida Peru Restaurant
Mi Causita Peruvian Food
Bring your family and friends and help us celebrate the beauty, music, traditions, and flavors of Peru together.
We invite everyone in the community to attend, participate, and spread the word!
❤️🇵🇪
FAMILY PERUVIAN DANCE WORKSHOP
PERUVIAN CAJON - DRUM WORKSHOP
PERUVIAN DANCE PERFORMANCES
PERUVIAN LIVE MUSIC
PASO HORSE SHOW AND MARINERA DANCER
Salsa Orchestra - Edward Carpio y su Clave Maestra
The Center of Peruvian Art, Culture and Education is deeply honored to participate in Zoo Ball, the Lincoln Park Zoo’s signature fundraising gala hosted by the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo. This prestigious event helps ensure the zoo remains free and open to all, while supporting vital programs in animal care and welfare, global conservation initiatives, and community engagement. The 2026 celebration is especially meaningful as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Board, honoring its legacy of impact and dedication. We are grateful to be part of this special evening, which will take place on July 17th at 6:30 PM. Please note that this is a private, invitation-only event.
🇵🇪✨ The Center of Peruvian Arts is deeply honored to participate in the Peruvian Festival Chicago 2026
Founded by Rubén Pachas and Jessica Loyaga, the Center of Peruvian Arts has dedicated over two decades to preserving and sharing Peruvian culture through traditional dance, education, and cultural expressions from the coast, highlands, and Amazon region of Peru.
Their work continues to inspire generations to stay connected to their roots and keep the Peruvian cultural legacy alive.
The Center of Peruvian Arts is very honored to be part of the Peruvian Festival Chicago 2026 and warmly invites everyone to enjoy a vibrant showcase of traditional Peruvian dances, celebrating the richness and diversity of Peru’s cultural heritage.
❤️🇵🇪
📅 Sunday, July 12, 2026
📍 Copernicus Center, Chicago
Join COPA at Zoo Fiesta at Lincoln Park Zoo
The Center of Peruvian Arts (COPA) is honored to take part in this vibrant annual celebration of Latino cultures and communities in Chicago.
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring live music 🎶, cultural dance performances, delicious Latin American food and beverages, wildlife chats 🐾, and exclusive after-hours access to the zoo.
We are proud to share the beauty of Peruvian culture through dance while celebrating community, tradition, and the richness of cultural diversity with all who attend.
Special thanks to Lincoln Park Zoo for bringing the community together through this meaningful and inspiring celebration
The Center of Peruvian Arts is deeply honored to participate in ZAP!: World Wednesdays, organized by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, sharing the richness of Peruvian culture with the community.
Caring for wildlife and nature is a global responsibility — from every culture comes a story. This week we welcome the Center of Peruvian Arts as a featured community collaborator.
📅 Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
🕥 Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Brookfield Zoo Chicago (in-person event)
This program is offered in person. Zoo admission is required to attend, but there is no additional cost for this program.
Registration is recommended, but not required.
👉 To register, please click here:
Registration
On behalf of the Center of Peruvian Art, Culture and Education and the Chicago Park District – Night Out in the Parks, we are pleased to invite the Chicago community to our 2026 Peruvian Arts & Cultural Festival Series. We sincerely thank you for your continued support in sharing our cultural programs and helping us promote cultural awareness, arts education, and community engagement. This invitation is for free, family-friendly cultural and educational festivals open to all ages. The events will feature Peruvian music, traditional dance, interactive workshops, live performances, and authentic cuisine that celebrate Peru’s rich heritage. We warmly invite families, students, and community members to join us in these cultural celebrations held in Chicago parks. For the safety and well-being of all participants, all events are alcohol-free and designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
Learn and enjoy traditional dances from Peru.
Experience the rhythm and energy of Peru’s iconic percussion instrument.
Presented by Center of Peruvian Arts and Solandino Band.
Enjoy delicious Peruvian cuisine and traditional beverages from:
Lima Restaurant
Avenida Peru Restaurant
Mi Causita Peruvian Food
Bring your family and friends and help us celebrate the beauty, music, traditions, and flavors of Peru together.
We invite everyone in the community to attend, participate, and spread the word!
❤️🇵🇪
¡Disfruta de una variedad de espectáculos de danza del Centro de Artes Peruanas, música en vivo con Huguito Gutiérrez y crea tu propia alpaca peruana!
Enjoy a variety of dance performances from the Center of Peruvian Arts, live music from Huguito Gutierrez and make your own Peruvian Alpaca!
FREE FOR PUBLIC
The Chicago Public Library hosts events and exhibits featuring Peruvian arts, often in collaboration with the Center of Peruvian Arts, founded by indigenous Peruvian dancer Rubén Pachas and his wife Jessica Loyaga. They will be showing dances from three different regions of Peru as Coastal, andes and Jungle.
Dance from the Andes : Huaylarsh Dance
Dance from Coast : Marinera Norteña
Jungle’s Dance : Iopataty
FREE FOR PUBLIC
Join us for an unforgettable journey where strings and bodies, histories and rhythms cross borders and build bridges.
This interactive event, presented in partnership with the Center of Peruvian Arts, shares interactive Afro-Peruvian dance and music, including the powerful Afro-Peruvian holiday tradition “Hatajo de Negritos,” as well as a workshop and performance by the dancers of the Center for the Peruvian Arts, the Crossing Borders Music string quartet, and acclaimed Peruvian singer Luis Galvez, interweaving cultural heritage with contemporary cultural dialogue.
This program is presented through the Chicago Cultural Alliance’s “Journey Chicago” month-long cultural celebration.
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 3:00 PM -4:30 PM
Venue: Budlong Woods Branch, Chicago Public Library.5630 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Organizator: Chicago Cultural Alliance
FREE FOR PUBLIC
The center of Peruvian Arts will conduct Afro-Peruvian Cajon workshop.
Have fun and relax with the different rhythms of Afro-Peruvian music, join and Cajonéate to awaken your musical vibration, your emotions and connect with your inner musician!
For ages 5 to 13.
Discover the Rhythms of Afro-Peruvian Dance
Join us for a fun journey into the vibrant world of Afro-Peruvian dance in this exciting workshop! Delve into the rich cultural heritage of Peru as we explore the rhythmic beats, dynamic movements, and captivating traditions that define Afro-Peruvian dance.
Led by Ruben Pachas deeply rooted in Afro-Peruvian culture, this workshop offers participants of all levels an opportunity to connect with the soulful rhythms and infectious energy of Afro-Peruvian dance.
Throughout the workshop, you'll learn traditional dances such as the Festejo and Zamacueca, characterized by their lively footwork, syncopated rhythms, and expressive movements. Ruben will guide you through the fundamental steps, techniques, and styling, allowing you to embody the spirit of Afro-Peruvian dance with confidence and grace.
Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a curious beginner, this workshop offers a welcoming and supportive environment for you to explore the beauty and diversity of Afro-Peruvian dance. Join us as we celebrate the rhythm, passion, and heritage of Peru through the universal language of dance!
No prior dance experience necessary. All levels are welcome.
Rubén Pachas is a Peruvian Indigenous Dance Teacher and Social Justice Arts performer with a passion for preserving cultural traditions. He began teaching dance in Peru and has since shared his expertise in the US, earning recognition for his work in education and performance. Pachas holds a BA in Arts Education from Peru and a Master of Arts in Arts Education from the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago. He has taught in various institutions, including Chicago Public Schools and universities, and has been involved in numerous conferences and symposiums. Additionally, he is a Fine Arts and Spanish teacher at schools in Chicago and Niles and is a co-founder of the Center of Peruvian Arts.
$30 ($28 members)
10/12/2025 (1 meetings)
Sunday · 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM (Central) · 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Please register here
Buy tickets at Lincoln Zoo entrance.
The Center of Peruvian Arts will perform Jungle dances from Peru and COPA will conduct Jungle dance workshop.
Delight in the animals, cultures, and conservation efforts of Latin America at Zoo Fiesta! A play on “su fiesta,” Zoo Fiesta is a 21+ event celebrating Latinx and Afro-Latino cultures and communities. Enjoy free cultural performances, live music, and chats highlighting animals native to Central and South America.
FREE FOR PUBLIC
The Center of Peruvian Arts will present dance performances from coastal andes and jungle regions.
Join Chicago Public Library as we celebrate Latine History Month from September 15 to October 15. This year’s theme “My Culture Lives/ Mi cultura vive” celebrates the rich and diverse culture that Chicago communities are proud of. The resilience of the Latine people is showcased through literacy, arts and music, all of which demonstrates a View all events and see event highlights below.
More information : Chicago Public Library
The Center of Peruvian Arts will perform music and dance at the IDIGIFEST
Indigifest 2025 is a celebration of Indigenous cultures featuring captivating performances, exhibitions, and delicious food. Experience Native powwow dancing, drumming, and singing, along with West African dance, Hawaiian dancing, Quechua performances, Aztec dancing, and more. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the Indigenous communities, learn about diverse cultures, and celebrate the resilience and creativity of Indigenous peoples. Indigifest 2025 promises an unforgettable day of unity, education, and festivity. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event! This event is presented in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and World Music Festival Chicago. https://aicchicago.org/ https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/wmf.html The event will take place in Grove B at Science Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Location
Location Notes
The event will take place in Grove B at Science Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Event Fee
$0.00
Age Range
All Ages
Categories:
Dance , Night Out in the Parks
Buy tickets at Brookfield Zoo Park entrance.
The center of Peruvian Arts will be doing Afro-Peruvian Cajon workshop at the Hispanic Heritage Fest 2025 at Brookfield Zoo.
Join us at Brookfield Zoo Chicago this fall for a new, vibrant Hispanic Heritage Fest on Saturday, September 27. Delight in live music, cultural performances, and more— all included with your Zoo admission for a day of celebration and exploration! Enjoy festive music in several areas around the park. Also, look for signs throughout Hispanic Heritage month that highlight the Spanish-speaking countries and regions of the world that are the natural ranges of the animals entrusted to professional care of Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
The Center of Peruvian Arts will perform at school with wonderful music and dance for students.
This is a private event.
The center of Peruvian Arts will participate in the 3rd year of the Latino Dance Festival.
The Chicago Latino Dance Festival is back for a third year! Come join us for three days of dance performances from some of Chicago’s best performing dancers. Dancers from Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panamá, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil will take the stage in this one of a kind dance event.
This year the Chicago Latino Dance Festival will be held on September 25th, October 5th and October 19th in three separate venues: the Wilbur Wright College, 4300 Narragansett (Thursday, September 25th); Humboldt Park in collaboration with Chicago Parks District (Sunday, October 5th); the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. (Sunday, October 19th). Admission to all three days of the festival is FREE, however you are encouraged to reserve your spot in advance and a suggested donation of $10 is recommended.
More info : Chicago Latino Dance Festival
ZAP! World Wednesdays at Brookfield Zoo
Free admission ticket text “Zoo” to 630-542-2056 if you want a tickets-
Boleto de entrada gratis escribe “ Zoo” a 630-542-2056 si tu quieres boletos
Zoo Adventure Passport! (Zap!)
Fostering affective relationships and effective communication skills
while connecting people to wildlife, nature, and each other.
Zoo Adventure Passport! (ZAP!) programs are intentionally designed to be multi-generational experiential learning opportunities that foster connections between participants, wildlife, and nature.
Our King Conservation Leadership Academy Community Engagement (KCLA-CE) team uses a wide variety of developmentally appropriate strategies, techniques, and delivery models to bring awareness to actionable conservation-based content and concepts while building empathy for all living things.
ZAP! is the longest-running community-based program offered by Brookfield Zoo Chicago, and that is largely thanks to the individuals, families, and communities that have helped support and shape the programs over the years.
In its current iteration, ZAP! consists of several programmatic structures that include:
Conservation Science Foundations
Conservation Through Gardening
Conservation Science Adventures
Storytime with the Zoo
Conservationists in Action
Community Connection & Resources
For more information link here:
REGISTRATION HERE - REGISTRACION AQUI
Día del Niño, or Children’s Day, is an annual celebration hosted by ALMAS that honors the joy, well-being, and rights of children while uplifting the cultural significance of this cherished tradition across Latin America. Rooted in the values of family, community, and cultural pride, this event brings families together through a vibrant program of bilingual activities, cultural performances, and interactive fun. In collaboration with community partners, ALMAS creates a joyful and inclusive space where children and families can celebrate, connect, and build lasting memories.
HIGHLIGHTS
Cultural & Performing Arts: Featuring traditional music, dance, and storytelling that celebrate Latin American heritages.
Interactive & Educational Play: Engaging bilingual activities that encourage storytelling, movement, and hands-on learning.
Live Entertainment & Demonstrations: Showcasing dynamic performances, live shows, and interactive demonstrations for children and families.
Creative Expression & Games: Offering arts and crafts, fun games, and activities to inspire creativity and play.
Community & Family Engagement: Providing opportunities for families to connect, celebrate, and enjoy a welcoming and inclusive environment together.
Through this discipline, children can learn to communicate better with their peers, enjoy physical exercise and develop cognitive skills. The most amazing thing is that it can help them express that which they are not able to say with words.
In these classes, participants will enjoy the development of their creativity and the benefits of dance through traditional and contemporary games, such as social development, physical activity, discipline, physical and auditory development, and coordination. Through the practices, the values of respect, leadership, teamwork and valuing their cultural roots will be developed. This allows the child to strengthen personal integration while reinforcing their group identity and sense of community. The joint work has the mission of reinforcing and providing a comprehensive education to the participants, reinforcing their self-esteem for the development of a consistent human being for the future.
At the same time it gives them a new perspective on the culture and builds an unconscious connection. With this connection, students are more likely to be respectful of other cultures because they don't seem so foreign to them.
Dates/Fechas : June/Junio: 20,21,27,28 - July/Julio: 11,12,18,19
Kids/Niños: Friday/Viernes 5 - 6 PM Saturday/Sábado 3 - 4 PM
Adults/Adultos: Friday/Viernes 6 - 7 PM Saturday/ Sábado: 4 - 5 PM
Closing Ceremony/ Clausura: Sunday/Domingo, July/Julio 20th
Place/Lugar: 6718 Belmont Ave. Chicago IL 60634
Cost/ Costo: $150 ( for 8 clases and rent of 1 tradicional attire for the closing ceremony day)
Payment/Pago: Cash and Zelle.
Please fill the form if you are interesting/ Por favor llena el formulario si estas interesado/a
https://forms.gle/m5Fz84x1dxYEyQkq7
Please any question or concerns let us know to the email: centerofperuvianarts@gmail.com
Por favor cualquier pregunta o preocupación dejanos saber al correo electrónico: centerofperuvianarts@gmail.com
Text to/ Envia un texto a : (630) 542-2056
Join us in shaping the future of dance as we embrace the theme of sustainability for the 2025 Dance/USA National Conference! This year, we’re diving into the vital conversations that keep our art form thriving—artistically and culturally.
How do we foster equitable and inclusive ecosystems within the dance community? What does it take to ensure that the movements we create today leave a lasting legacy for tomorrow?
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Chicago, the Dance/USA National Conference will provide a dynamic space to explore innovative ideas, actionable strategies, and collaborative opportunities. Through thought-provoking discussions, inspiring presentations and performances, and meaningful networking, we’ll come together to answer these questions and more.
The National Conference will take place across multiple venues to showcase the vibrancy of Chicago, including The Cultural Center, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Roosevelt University, and the Palmer House. All of our venues are within an easy 10-15 minute walk from the Palmer House hotel.
Register: National Dance Conference
The 5th edition of the Thinking Andean Studies conference will take place on April 11-12, 2025 at Northwestern University (Chicago Area)! We will continue our mission to strengthen the interdisciplinary network of scholars thinking through theory and praxis from the Andes. We invite you to another opportunity to help foster a mentoring relationship between established and emerging scholars.
As always, our event will provide a space for participants to share their research through paper presentations and roundtable discussions, and hopes to showcase the increasing number of scholars globally conducting research in and about the Andes.
In previous editions, we have asked participants to consider the importance of working across disciplines, and how to potentially theorize the Andes (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, as well as northern Argentina and Chile). This year, we invite participants to reflect on the long historical arc that has led to contemporary developments in politics, economics, cosmovision, philosophy, and culture in the region. What were the conditions that set up contemporary states of affairs in the region, and how can studying the relation between past and present help us (potentially) make interventions today.
Ideally, papers will reflect on some of the power dynamics that intersect to shape various facets of Andean societies. This interdisciplinary conference also will also aim to connect scholars with Indigenous language and culture advocates. In this spirit, the Conference will include presentations that explore the intersections of indigenous languages of the Andes and media and activism, language pedagogy, literature, performance, and community organizing.
Papers from any theoretical perspective and examining any aspect of the Andes are welcome, including, but not restricted to: cultural studies, cultural policy, literature, indigenous studies, language planning and policy, bilingual education, decolonization, colonial studies, anthropology, sociology, cultural heritage and reclamation, political science, linguistics, media studies, ethnicity, ethnomusicology, and history. Papers can be in English, Spanish or any of the languages spoken in the Andean region.
Sessions will take place on April 11 and 12, 2025 at Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL (on the border of the city of Chicago).
Center of Peruvian Arts will present the studies about Teaching Peruvian Indigenous Dance to Non Indigenous People.
Join us for the 3rd annual ILDEO Statewide dance education conference! This is an opportunity to connect, reinvigorate, and learn with peers and young people interested in dance education from around the region.
This year’s keynote speaker is Shawn Lent, and Saturday also features a student showcase performance, in addition to the many presentations by dance educators from throughout Illinois.
Registration at : Conference
Come to see the cultural divers music and dance festival at the Northwestern University.
Dance is a vehicle for the communication of ideas, stories, lessons, and aesthetics. It is an artform that reflects life and times. In being a reflection of life and times the creators of dance present their positions, comments, ideas on our world. Where does gender live in these reflections? How does gender live inside the artform? What does the performance of gender in dance communicate to audiences?
In this virtual summit, we open the space to discuss where gender currently lies in dance spaces and reimagine current practices in dance education, class, and performance. Reframing what we expect of our dancers. Redefining how we present roles and policies. Reimagining what performance looks like for the inclusion and acceptance of all dancing bodies.
Many dancers and choreographers may not consider gender at all in their practice. They may only be thinking about the body, the form, the movement aesthetic, shape, phrase, etc. However, for some, the communication and presentation of gender can be very apparent. What is the educator and choreographers role in ensuring this presentation is not harmful? Are we upholding and enforcing outdated concepts of gender expression and performance through our choreography and teaching?
Peruvian Dance with connection with the cosmos will be a virtual class workshop during the conference.
Come and enjoy the history of the Inca language painting the Tocapus or language of the Inca Empire
Have fun and relax with the different rhythms of Afro-Peruvian music, join and Cajonéate to awaken your musical vibration, your emotions and connect with your inner musician!
Come to the Elm PTO Culture & Community Committee to the showcase of the diverse
cultures that make up our vibrant school community.
And in this cultural activity, the community showcased its heritage and created an energetic
atmosphere as talented students and families showcased traditional dances, musical performances,
and a delicious variety of international dishes, savoring flavors from around the world.
The event fostered a sense of belonging and highlighted the richness that diversity brings to our
school. It was an excellent opportunity to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds
of the Elm School community.
