Drum Making Workshop & Talk

Join us for either a drum making workshop, a talk with Abuela Viola, or both! We are so grateful to host Abela Viola, who will be visiting with us from Mexico for a very special evening. 

Participants are invited to learn how to make a mesoamerican drum, followed by a talk with Abuela Viola. If you cannot attend the drum making workshop, no problem! Register for just the art talk portion.

*If you want to pay more than 70$ (tickets sliding scale 70-120$, please include the extra amount as a 'tip'). 

Drum Making Workshop 

July 30 5:30- 7:30pm

Abuela Viola has a powerful creative practice. She has been creating Mesoamerican instruments and mentoring students for more than four decades. Abuela Viola is a member of the Elders’ council of Global Pax Collective formed in La Paz, Baja California Sur during the Summit of Planetary Health in 2025. During the workshop, Abuela Viola will guide us in making a traditional Mesoamerican drum.

Workshop Donation suggested slide scale: $70-120 includes material. 

*Registration required- SPACE LIMITED!

Talk with Abuela Viola: Ocelocihuatl (Jaguar Woman)

July 30 8-9pm 

In her talk, she will share knowledge about Tezcatlipoca, a powerful and complex deity, often associated with the "night wind," symbolizing his elusive and transformative nature.

"Yohualli Ehecatl" is a Nahuatl phrase meaning "night wind," often used as a metaphor for the invisible or impalpable.This portion of the event is FREE to attend! Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

About Abuela Viola

Since 1998, she has been part of the Aztec Chichimeca dance group Yaocoyot. She has participated and supported the Ollin Tlahuimetztli Moon Dance with Grandmother Mallinali; she has been a sahumadoras' leader for 10 years and served on the council from 2005 to 2017. In 2005, she began sun dancing in the Chicome Itzcuintli circle.

In 2007, she began sun dancing in In Yao Tecamé Tamonchan Coyotl with Grandfather Mictochtli, as a dancer and sahumadoras' leader for 9 years. She is a vision quest guide in the Taotecame Tamoanchan Coyotl tradition.

She has provided support and has been participating actively in moon dance and ceremonies in different places across Turtle Island, Montreal, Canada, Orlando, Florida, USA, New York, USA, Auka Jla'a Kimeth, Ensenada, Baja California, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Durango, and in Puriscal, Costa Rica.

Since 2013, she is a member of the indigenous organization CONADEPI (National Commission for the Defense of Indigenous Peoples)She is Guardian and of the Ollin Tlahui Ocelometztli moon dance circle and Guardian and Abuela (grandmother) of the Ome Yolot Ollin Metztli dual dance circle.