áyA Con

Denver's Indigenous Comic and Art Festival

Denver's Indigenous Comic and Art Festival is on the way! ayA Con is a celebration of indigeneity hosted by and highlighting North American Indigenous creators. This all-inclusive family festival will feature comic creators, bead artists, musicians, digital illustrators, designers, dancers, and much more. Come celebrate your heritage and build connections with us!

Friday - 4-7 p.m. - Ofrenda and outside programming, free. Access to the vendor floors, please purchase a Weekend or Day Pass. Passes include access to Denver Art Museum programs. 
Saturday - 10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Vendors, performances and food trucks
Sunday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m. - Vendors, performances and food trucks

Friday, June 9
4:15 - 4:45 p.m. - Welcome and Ofrenda Exhibition opening blessing featuring Danza Azteca Grupo Huitzilopochtli: Free and open to the public.
5:30-7 p.m. - DJ, Machu Linea: Third Floor, Main Stage
Desert provided by Cultura Chocolate Drinks provided by Co.Co.
Special thanks to Liquid Death Water

Saturday, June 10
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Travis Mammedaty - Third Floor, Main Stage
Travis Mammedaty is a Kiowa/Seneca-Cayuga artist. Join him for a demonstration and a lesson in drum songs and their meanings.
12-12:30 p.m.: United Indigenous Dancers - Third Floor, Main Stage
The United Indigenous Dancers are a cultural awareness dance group founded in 2015. In this performance, they will be showcasing powwow dance styles and sharing the stories behind them.
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Live Art Collaboration, Third Floor, Main Stage
Join special guest Wendy Pini and ayA Con organizer Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand for a rare live art collaboration!
2-2:30 p.m.: The Social System - Third Floor, Main Stage
Niko Martinez, known by his artist name, “Social System” is a dual spirit creator based entirely on originality. His lyrics bounce back with a specific lyrical technique that brings out the pride he has in his native people and the inspiration he draws from Hip-Hop.
3-3:30 p.m.: Cipriano - Third Floor, Main Stage
Cipriano is a Latin Low Rock trio based in Denver, Colorado. Cipriano uses both indigenous and Latin elements in his music.
4-4:30 p.m.: Ailani - Third Floor, Main Stage
Ailani is a 19 -year old singer-songwriter with multiple releases. Ailani’s music has a heartfelt indie pop-rock feel.
4:45-5:15 p.m.: Sage Bond - Third Floor, Main Stage
Hailing from the Four Corners region within the Navajo Nation, Sage Bond's work is influenced by personal life, culture, and heavy metal.

Sunday, June 11
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Cross Centered Records - Third Floor, Main Stage
Cross Centered Records consists of 5elect 5creen, Kim Seaborn, Moriah Seaborn, Saint Boy Reggie, and Kemoy Music to "Move The Gospel."
12-12:30 p.m.: Michael Tafoya - Third Floor, Main Stage
EMCEE, Audio Engineer, Chef, & Father; These are only a few titles that help crown this prolific hip-hop lyricist, EK's Interminable quest to build & innovate has allowed him to reach audiences from the greater southwest to the UK.
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Indigenous Knowledge in ElfQuest - Third Floor, Main Stage
Join ElfQuest creator Wendy Pini in a deep conversation about the influences of family, connection and, tribal communities in the beloved fantasy series.
2-2:30 p.m.: Native Comedy - Third Floor, Main Stage
Join Comic Joshua Emerson and friends for a few laughs in our Native Comedy hour.
3-3:30 p.m.: Slam Nuba - Third Floor, Main Stage
The mission of Slam Nuba is to promote the creation and performance of poetry, by cultivating literary activities and engaging community through the power of the written and spoken word.
4-4:30 p.m.: Dance Challenge - Third Floor, Main Stage
It's a cosplay party! Show off your cosplay and get your dance on before our big Futurism Fashion show! How many Kpop, and social dances do you know? (cosplay is not required to participate).

Events at Denver Art Museum require a ticket. Events at McNichols Building are FREE and open to the public.