For the my newly released CD (15 tracks), see below:
Born and raised in Denver, Ara Cruz is a Xicano/Indigenous (Mexica/Tiwa) spoken word artist, educator, and organizer who finds himself standing on the shoulders of those women and men who have struggled to maintain traditions and dignity. With this strong sense of responsibility, he tries to walk in a good way every day in order to better his community. Graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies (emphasis in Chicana/o and American Indian Studies), he now works with youth in Denver as an educator, advocate, and presenter. Using the experience he gained in campus and community organizing through MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlan), Oyate (Indigenous student group), and other organizations, Ara became a co-founder of Café Cultura. It serves not only as a monthly open mic, but also provides a community space for Indigenous people (North and South) to come together and share energy, words, and struggles.
Knowing his talents are a gift from Ometeotl, the Creator, he has shared his flor y canto (flower and song) with people of all ages. Through his poetry, he attempts to place a smoking mirror in front of his people and society in general, in an effort to make all of us think, speak, and act in positive ways. In that spirit, he has taught poetry and spoken word workshops at youth conferences and local schools. Ademas, he has performed at middle and high schools throughout the Denver area as well as at conferences, universities, protests, and fundraisers throughout Coloraztlanahuac and the “Southwest.†In fact, Ara just returned from a tour in which he performed in San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Del Rio (TX), El Paso, Albuquerque, and Española (NM). He has had the honor of sharing the stage with Trinidad Sanchez Jr., Slam Nuba, Debajo del Agua, Savage Family, El Vuh, Chicano Messengers of Spoken Word, Cihuatl-Ce, Guerrilla Queenz, Read Nex, Almas Intocables, and Olmeca.
Having published his book of poetry entitled A Journey in Red and Black Ink in 2008, Cruz recently released a spoken word album by the same title.
Below is the cover from my book of poetry...You can read (my blog), hear (myspace audio), and watch (youtube videos) samples of what you will find within it. To purchase a copy, see below.