Journey down the Magdalena River with us as you witness Colombia’s vibrant and rich culture of music and dance.
PITTSBURGH, PA – Slippery Rock University based dance company, Palenque, under the artistic direction of Melissa Teodoro, in partnership with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) presents Yuma, a concert inspired by the Magdalena River. Yuma features music and dances born and practiced on the banks of Colombia’s main fluvial artery such as Bambucos, Fandangos and Bullerengues.
On March 28 the doors of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh will open at 6:30pm. An art and photography exhibit based on Teodoro’s research will be displayed in the theater lobby from 6:30 to 7:30pm featuring the works of photographer, Mahsa Afshari and SRU Art Department students under the supervision of Professor Heather Hertel. There will also be food, music, informational booths and merchandise. Pittsburgh-based band, Bésame will play catchy tunes as you browse the art exhibits and enjoy typical Colombian street food.
At 7:30pm, 20 Palenque company dancers, vocalists Cindy Candelaria, guitarist Jorge Delgado, and guest performer Jadson Silva will fill AWAACC’s main stage with Colombia’s festive rhythms, vibrant colors and mucho sabor!
It has been a true honor to share my culture with my student, company members and audiences who have embraced everything I have presented to them with such curiosity and appreciation. I am profoundly moved by this opportunity to present Yuma, a production that stemmed from my journey down the Magdalena River, to the Pittsburgh community. – Melissa Teodoro
Professor Melissa Teodoro has researched Colombia’s rich culture of dance for over twenty years and has directed her company, Palenque for over 12 years. With the support of a Fulbright Grant, she was able to spend the spring semester of 2025 navigating down the Magdalena River and examining the dance forms practiced on its banks.
Palenque is an outreach dance company based in the Department of Dance at SRU and provides students the opportunity to learn about Colombia and its fascinating culture through dance. Palenque members assist Teodoro in her ethnographic research of Colombian dances and have traveled with her to various regions of the South American country. Palenqueperforms at cultural and educational settings throughout the Western PA region and neighboring states providing audiences of all ages a taste of Colombia.
“At AWAACC, we believe in the power of the arts to build bridges across cultures and communities. Yuma is more than a performance; it is the culmination of years of research, lived experience, and artistic devotion. We are thrilled to partner with Slippery Rock University and Palenque to bring this vibrant exploration of Colombian dance and heritage to our community and to celebrate the beauty of cultural exchange on our stage,” said Janis Burley, AWAACC President and CEO/Artistic Director.
Yuma and everyone involved in its production is grateful for the support and sponsorship of the AWAACC, Slippery Rock University’s Department of Dance and College of Liberal Arts, Colombia en Pittsburgh, Frederick Douglass Institute, University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Latin American Studies and the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets can be purchased at the AWAACC Box Office or through the following links:
General Tickets: https://culturaldistrict.org/production/104244
Student Discount (previously purchased student tickets will be held at the AWAACC box office. Student IDs are required): https://awc.culturaldistrict.org/production/104244
For more information on ticket sales, call (412) 339-1011
ABOUT THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a nonprofit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson.
One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the nonprofit organization welcomes more than 100,000 visitors locally and nationally. Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers Speaker Series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today.
Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, visit www.awaacc.org.
ABOUT PALENQUE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DANCE AT SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY
Palenque is housed in the Department of Dance at Slippery Rock University. Its mission is to promote Colombian culture throughout the Western PA region through performances and lecture-demonstrations that feature Colombia’s diverse and rich expressions in dance, music and costume. Palenque reaches hundreds of spectators a year and a wide range of audiences from children to senior citizens. Besides performances, Palenque also offers educational programs for elementary, middle and high school populations where students learn about the history, geography, customs and traditions of Colombian culture through an interactive display of its dances.
The Department of Dance at Slippery Rock University promotes dance as an art form through the creative, technical, expressive and intellectual development of each student in a personalized environment. Superior education in performance, choreography, and teaching with additional components of wellness for dance, dance technology, and intercultural experience, prepares students for their chosen profession and entrepreneurial role in society.
Media Contacts:
Melissa Teodoro, Artistic Director, Palenque: Colombian Dance Ensemble, Slippery Rock University: (724) 738-4508 | melissa.teodoro@sru.edu
Khalil Waldron, AWAACC Director of Marketing and Communications: (412) 742-4771 | kwaldron@awaacc.org