Summer Sounds on the Plaza – Wayanay Inka

This summer, bring your friends, family and a blanket – and the Rothko Chapel will supply the music.

Spend one Thursday a month at the Chapel, exploring the Americas through music with “Summer Sounds on the Plaza.”

The indigenous cultures of Mexico, Central America and South America will all be honored and celebrated in performances.

The suggested donation to attend is $10. To register, please visit rothkochapel.org

To kick things off, Danza Azteca Taxcayolotl will be performing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. The grassroots Aztec dance group is dedicated to nurturing and preserving the indigenous cultures of México, as well as showing how dance can foster unity and connectedness between all cultures.

The series continues with a performance by Walagante at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. The Houston-based ensemble features Garifuna music, which relies on drums and maracas. This style of music was declared a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity” by UNESCO in 2001.

The Rothko Chapel closes the series at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, with Wayanay Inka. Founded in Lima, Peru, the band has established an international reputation as an ambassador for Andean music, which features chants, drums and variations of pan flutes.

Public programs director Michelle Ashton said that sharing these concerts with the community is a highlight for the Chapel.

“This will be a great opportunity to enjoy beautiful music outside,” Ashton said. “It’s also a chance to celebrate and learn more about some of the remarkable and diverse indigenous cultures of the Americas.”

Refreshments will be available during the concerts — with SweetCup selling gelato and complimentary beverages provided by Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

For more information about the Rothko Chapel and its calendar of upcoming programs, workshops and events, visit rothkochapel.org or call 713-524-9839.