Yolanda Ortega has fond memories of the early 1970s when she first moved to Denver.
Ortega, who has been an actor, director, and musician at Denver’s Su Teatro theater for decades, lived in the Northside of Denver and recalls always going to the movies with her family at he Holiday Theater. It was during those times that she remembers watching legends like Pedro Infante and others who displayed the best of what Mexican entertainment has to offer. Fast forward some 50 years later, and Ortega is bringing back her childhood experience to the Holiday Theater.
On June 9 at the Holiday Theater, the Northside Arts Collaborative and MCA Denver are bringing back the golden age of Mexican cinema by showcasing the class film “Dos Tipos de Cuidado” as part of the Cine Mexicano event. The film, which stars Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, is a comedic drama that tells the story of two friends, a doctor and a singer, who fall in love with the same woman, leading to a series of misunderstandings and humorous situations.
It is also known for its portrayal of the Mexican charro culture and its beautiful ranchero music.
“We thought it would be nice to turn back the time when these movies were playing and feature a movie from the past.” We’ve been excited about not only turning back and featuring a movie, but also charging $5.00 and $0.50 for concessions,” said Ortega.
The low prices pay homage to vintage concessions and will feature free popcorn, pan dulce, margaritas, and more. All proceeds will be donated to the Newcomers Fund, a philanthropic initiative in Colorado aimed at supporting the incoming migrant population fleeing unrest in South and Central America. The group was launched in response to the increasing number of migrants arriving in the greater Denver area.
Ortega noted the vibrant northside community and said it’s important to not forget the area’s roots.
“(The event) is a wonderful way to be with community and encourage the new community that lives (in the northside) to participate. It’s a way to find out about how things were and listen to the music and the talent that existed and to honor the Holiday Theater and its history,” said Ortega.
The Holiday Theater space was originally added in 1926 and was given its name in 1953. It became the first theater in Colorado to present Spanish-language films. It served as a community hub for the northside neighborhood throughout the 1960s and 1970s and in 2021, the Denver Cultural Property Trust purchased the theater to preserve it as a cultural space. A year later, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver began leasing the theater.
Outside of the film and food, the Holiday Theater will also host a specific performance by Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra on June 9. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by visiting https://mcadenver.org/events/cine-mexicano.
