Mi Perú-Minnesota

Mi Perú-Minnesota members model a diverse range of traditional Peruvian dance attires while holding a banner with the group's logo. The banner was made in Huancayo, Peru, and intended to be used for the Modern Huaylarsh group dance. Photo by Sarah Leon Waddell, 2022. Used with the permission of Sarah Leon Waddell Photography.

Peruvian Independence Day Potluck at Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis, 2017. Mi Perú-Minnesota performs Carnaval Arequipeño, a youthful and joyful dance usually performed at festivals and parades in Arequipa, Peru. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Mi Perú-Minnesota performs at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Carver during a celebration of Señor de los Milagros, “The Lord of Miracles,” a Catholic tradition of Peru, ca. 2018 or 2019. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Marinera dance performance by Mi Perú-Minnesota at Casa de Corazón’s fundraiser event at Louisiana Oaks in St. Louis Park, ca. 2018 or 2019. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Mi Perú-Minnesota performs a marinera and valicha dance at the International Institute of Minnesota’s 2018 Festival of Nations. Photograph by Erika Busse. Used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Dancers of Mi Perú-Minnesota wear Caporales dance attire. Caporales is an Afro-Andean dance from the mountain regions of Peru and Bolivia. Photo by Sarah Leon Waddell, 2022. Used with the permission of Sarah Leon Waddell Photography.

Dancing from the heart to a marinera song, Peru’s national dance, at Mi Perú-Minnesota’s Peruvian Independence Day Celebration event, held at the Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC) in St. Louis Park. Photograph by Angie Garcia, ca. 2018 or 2019. Used with the permission of Alateo Photography.

Members of Mi Perú-Minnesota representing the Shipibo tribe of Peru through Tahuampa, a style of dance from the rainforest area of Peru. The dance is related to Yacumama, a legendary water serpent of the Peruvian Amazon. Photograph by R. Durán, ca. 2018 or 2019. Used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Carmen Alonzo Kohman shows the joy of dancing valicha, a dance from the city of Cusco, Peru. Photo by Sarah Leon Waddell, 2022. Used with the permission of Sarah Leon Waddell Photography.

Tondero, an expressive dance that resembles a bird love ritual, features movements that follow the rhythms of the cajón box drum. Photo by Sarah Leon Waddell, 2022. Used with the permission of Sarah Leon Waddell Photography.

Marinera dancers after their presentation at the International Institute of Minnesota’s Festival of Nations 2019, held at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Huaylarsh dance attire with intricate designs of embroidered flowers and birds. This festive harvesting dance is a patrimony of the Andes region of Peru. Photo by Sarah Leon Waddell, 2022. Used with the permission of Sarah Leon Waddell Photography.

Colorful outfits with long skirts enhance the energetic and joyful movements of festejo, an Afro-Peruvian dance from the southern coast of Peru. Photo (ca. 2023) used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Mi Perú-MN dances for the Minnesota community at their Peruvian Independence Day Celebration event, held at the Recreation Outdoor Center in St. Louis Park, ca. 2018 or 2019. Used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Lucia Carlson shows off attire for a marinera dance: a pleated skirt, gold earrings and a hair brooch, a Peruvian flag-colored belt, and a flower hair piece. Ca. 2018 or 2019. Photograph by Kaia Myers. Used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Rosario Parodi Bretey shows the joy of dancing valicha, a dance from the city of Cusco, Peru. Photograph by Kaia Myers, ca. 2018 or 2019. Used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

The elegant essence of the marinera dance is portrayed here by members of Mi Perú-Minnesota during the annual International Day performance at the International School of Minnesota in Eden Prairie. Photo by Stan Waldhauser, 2024. Used with the permission of Stan Waldhauser.

Valicha dancers show reverence to the Inca emperor as he enters onto the stage. From a performance by Mi Perú-Minnesota at the International School of Minnesota's annual International Day, held in Eden Prairie. Photo by Stan Waldhauser, 2024. Used with the permission of Stan Waldhauser.

Mi Perú-MN performs at the annual Peruvian fundraising event held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Mendota Heights, whose donations support a church in Chimbote, Peru. Ca. 2018 or 2019. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Mi Perú-MN supports a non-profit organization at a local fundraiser event at La Doña Cervecería in Minneapolis, 2018 or 2019. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.

Dancers of Mi Perú-Minnesota wear Santiago dance attire from Huaycayo, Peru, ca. 2024. The Santiago dance is a way the Andean community of Huancayo, Peru, pays tribute to the land and gives thanks for the harvests. It is an event full of joy. Photo used with the permission of Mi Perú-Minnesota.