Raul Chavez Memorial Fund
Donation protected
On behalf of our beloved capitan's familia , Raul Chavez and our grupo Huitzilopochtli, we humbly thank you all for your support and love!
Because of your generous donations, we can bury our Capitan in a proper manner.
He took his role in the community as very serious obligation and never ever turned down any request. This man was soft-spoken and accepting of all who came to our circle. His love of humanity was infectious. He touched thousands upon thousands of lives.
-Join us in honoring Denver’s only Capitan of Aztec dance
Raul Chavez Portillo, the only Aztec danzante in Colorado to carry the title of Capitan from the jefe’s in Mexcio, will be honored on May 19th as hundreds gather to pay tribute to this cultural icon. Traditional Mexcia danzantes from throughout the U.S. and Mexcio will dance in full regalia as they converge on Crown Hill Mortuary at 21st & Wadsworth in Lakewood at 2:30 for what can only be described “a ceremony of color, music, flowers, and dance”, stated Chavez’s granddaughter Xochitl Chavez.
Chavez was born on 02/29/1952 in Mazatlan Mexico into a family of Mexica Aztec danzantes and healers. He was given the name of Tlaloc at the age of five by his grandfather, in order to preserve the traditions of his ancestors. He spent his formative years studying and perfecting his knowledge and skills. He immigrated to Colorado in 1969 as was instrumental in helping local Chicano youth establish a danzante group in the 1980’s under his family name Tlalloc.
Currently his family group Huitzilopochtli has been growing strong over the past 30 years. Made up of families from Mexico and Colorado, the multi faceted grupo promotes diversity and inclusion, just as Chavez did during his life time.
Debora Montoya director of Danza Colorsaztlan, who danced with Chavez for several decades said, “ Raul carried the memory of Cuahtemoctzin to save and keep our traditions until our sun would rise again.Raul carried the memory of the Tezcatlipoca, our scholars, our priests, our scientists and mathematicians who left instruction in accordance with Cuahtemoc and they placed our sacred things, customs and rituals and our cultural existence in the hands of the Conchero.
Raul brought forth all that had been saved back to the original tradition and rebirth of the Danza Mexica, the Aztec warrior, who now are charged with protecting and maintaining these same traditions as well as share them. We have our memories in tact, our traditions in tact because of this 530 year continuum that Raul, in our time, brought to fruition here in the Denver community
Raul carried a lineage, generations old. He carried a Capitania from his own ancestors, grandparents and elders in Mexico. Chicanos do not carry the tradition of Capitania. He carried this solely and all of us stand on his shoulders. Tlazocamati Compadre, tlazocamati brother! May we each carry this palabra with the grace, love, humility and kindness that you showed to us!”
In 2012 Chavez was honored by the Auraria campus Latinx Leadership Summit for his lifetime contributions here in Colorado. In 2013 Chavez was the Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, Male Leadership recipient.In 2016 the Denver’s Mayors Awards for Excellence in the Arts honored Chavez’s’ group Huitzilopochtli with the 2016 ARTS & CULTURE IMPACT AWARD. He was instrumental in bridging the gap between Mexican youth and Chicano/Colorado youth, demonstrating for the past 40 years how the arts can heal through cultural inclusivity and respect for one another.
Recently Chavez, after years of searching for a permanent home to practice, relocated his dance troupe to Lakewood United Methodist Church in the 40 West Arts Dist. He followed long-time partners Chicano Humanities and Arts Council, Fiesta Colorado and the Pirate Art Gallery here to help establish a Latinx presence in the neighborhood.
He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, inclusivity and kindness. His services take place on Thurs. May 19th and are open to the public.
Raul Chavez Celebration of Life May 19, 2022
Latina Funeral 3020 Federal Blvd.
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Viewing 9 am-11 am
Funeral Service at 11:30 am
Danzantes Tribute 12:30 pm -2 pm
Graveside Service Crown Hill Cemetery 2:30 pm
7777 W. 29th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
For more information contact [email redacted]
https://denverite.com/2022/05/11/raul-chavez-portillo-who-elevated-aztec-dance-in-denver-has-died/
Raul's services are being held at Latina Funerals Home 3020 Federal Blvd., at the corner of Speer and Federal Blvd on Thursday, May 19th, 2022 https://www.latinacares.com/obituary/Raul-ChavezPortillo
May 19, 2022
Latina Funeral 3020 Federal Blvd.
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Viewing 9 am-11 am
Funeral Service Mass at 11:30 am
Danzantes Tribute 12:30 pm -2 pm
Graveside Service Crown Hill Cemetary 2:30 pm
7777 W. 29th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
Because of your generous donations, we can bury our Capitan in a proper manner.
He took his role in the community as very serious obligation and never ever turned down any request. This man was soft-spoken and accepting of all who came to our circle. His love of humanity was infectious. He touched thousands upon thousands of lives.
-Join us in honoring Denver’s only Capitan of Aztec dance
Raul Chavez Portillo, the only Aztec danzante in Colorado to carry the title of Capitan from the jefe’s in Mexcio, will be honored on May 19th as hundreds gather to pay tribute to this cultural icon. Traditional Mexcia danzantes from throughout the U.S. and Mexcio will dance in full regalia as they converge on Crown Hill Mortuary at 21st & Wadsworth in Lakewood at 2:30 for what can only be described “a ceremony of color, music, flowers, and dance”, stated Chavez’s granddaughter Xochitl Chavez.
Chavez was born on 02/29/1952 in Mazatlan Mexico into a family of Mexica Aztec danzantes and healers. He was given the name of Tlaloc at the age of five by his grandfather, in order to preserve the traditions of his ancestors. He spent his formative years studying and perfecting his knowledge and skills. He immigrated to Colorado in 1969 as was instrumental in helping local Chicano youth establish a danzante group in the 1980’s under his family name Tlalloc.
Currently his family group Huitzilopochtli has been growing strong over the past 30 years. Made up of families from Mexico and Colorado, the multi faceted grupo promotes diversity and inclusion, just as Chavez did during his life time.
Debora Montoya director of Danza Colorsaztlan, who danced with Chavez for several decades said, “ Raul carried the memory of Cuahtemoctzin to save and keep our traditions until our sun would rise again.Raul carried the memory of the Tezcatlipoca, our scholars, our priests, our scientists and mathematicians who left instruction in accordance with Cuahtemoc and they placed our sacred things, customs and rituals and our cultural existence in the hands of the Conchero.
Raul brought forth all that had been saved back to the original tradition and rebirth of the Danza Mexica, the Aztec warrior, who now are charged with protecting and maintaining these same traditions as well as share them. We have our memories in tact, our traditions in tact because of this 530 year continuum that Raul, in our time, brought to fruition here in the Denver community
Raul carried a lineage, generations old. He carried a Capitania from his own ancestors, grandparents and elders in Mexico. Chicanos do not carry the tradition of Capitania. He carried this solely and all of us stand on his shoulders. Tlazocamati Compadre, tlazocamati brother! May we each carry this palabra with the grace, love, humility and kindness that you showed to us!”
In 2012 Chavez was honored by the Auraria campus Latinx Leadership Summit for his lifetime contributions here in Colorado. In 2013 Chavez was the Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, Male Leadership recipient.In 2016 the Denver’s Mayors Awards for Excellence in the Arts honored Chavez’s’ group Huitzilopochtli with the 2016 ARTS & CULTURE IMPACT AWARD. He was instrumental in bridging the gap between Mexican youth and Chicano/Colorado youth, demonstrating for the past 40 years how the arts can heal through cultural inclusivity and respect for one another.
Recently Chavez, after years of searching for a permanent home to practice, relocated his dance troupe to Lakewood United Methodist Church in the 40 West Arts Dist. He followed long-time partners Chicano Humanities and Arts Council, Fiesta Colorado and the Pirate Art Gallery here to help establish a Latinx presence in the neighborhood.
He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, inclusivity and kindness. His services take place on Thurs. May 19th and are open to the public.
Raul Chavez Celebration of Life May 19, 2022
Latina Funeral 3020 Federal Blvd.
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Viewing 9 am-11 am
Funeral Service at 11:30 am
Danzantes Tribute 12:30 pm -2 pm
Graveside Service Crown Hill Cemetery 2:30 pm
7777 W. 29th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
For more information contact [email redacted]
https://denverite.com/2022/05/11/raul-chavez-portillo-who-elevated-aztec-dance-in-denver-has-died/
Raul's services are being held at Latina Funerals Home 3020 Federal Blvd., at the corner of Speer and Federal Blvd on Thursday, May 19th, 2022 https://www.latinacares.com/obituary/Raul-ChavezPortillo
May 19, 2022
Latina Funeral 3020 Federal Blvd.
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Viewing 9 am-11 am
Funeral Service Mass at 11:30 am
Danzantes Tribute 12:30 pm -2 pm
Graveside Service Crown Hill Cemetary 2:30 pm
7777 W. 29th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
Fundraising team: Huitzilopochtli (3)
Renee Fajardo
Organizer
Arvada, CO
Glen Anstine
Beneficiary
Daniel Stange
Team member
Monse Loya
Team member
