Sunset Cinema: Raya and The Last Dragon

Raya and The Last Dragon with a preview of the 2021 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival 

THE FILM:
PG | 1h 30min.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together in harmony long ago. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well. Raya and the Last Dragon features the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya, a warrior whose wit is as sharp as her blade, and Awkwafina as the magical, mythical, self-deprecating dragon named Sisu. Characters also include a street-savvy 10-year-old entrepreneur named Boun, the formidable giant Tong and a thieving toddler Noi with her band of Ongis.

THE PERFORMANCE:
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival will preview elements for their upcoming event on September 25 & 26, 2021, including Shaolin Hung Mei King Fu performing the traditional Chinese Lion Dance and more.

Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu offers a comprehensive system of martial practices intended to cultivate the defense skills, health, knowledge, character and spiritual development of its students. SHMKF bridges Eastern and Western ideals and people by exposing the greater metro communities to a variety of Chinese traditions.

About the Lion Dance - The legend behind the Southern Lion Dance teaches us that many generations ago, a peculiar animal appeared in the Guăn Dōng (廣東) province of China on the eve of Chinese New Year. Since the New Year is a time for celebration, the residents did not want to be troubled by this strange animal. The villagers decided to construct facsimiles of the animal to chase it away. The heads were made by painting paper covered bamboo frames and the bodies by sewing triangles of cloth together. During the next New Year, two-man teams together with drum, gong and cymbal players, roamed the province and scared what had been called the "nián shòu" (年獸) away, never to return. The legend has grown to mean that the performance of the Lion chases away evil spirits and welcomes good luck and good fortune.

Denver Taiko has been in existence for 45 years and is a community based organization committed to honoring and sharing Japanese drumming through performance, and providing an engaging creative outlet for those with interest in the art of taiko. Denver Taiko is a dynamic and propulsive event, a combination of structured rhythms and improvisational solos that roll together like thunder to stir your soul.

Throughout the years, Denver Taiko has performed across the United States in many different venues. Each performance provides the group an opportunity to share the Japanese culture and spirit to those in attendance.

THE FOOD TRUCKS: 
Details coming soon.

ABOUT SUNSET CINEMA:
In partnership with Denver Film and Denver Arts & Venues, the outdoor film + entertainment series will now be in Sculpture Park on Tuesday evenings in July and August. Each film will feature opening performances presented by local groups along with food trucks curated by Mile High Festivals.

All events are FREE and suitable for the whole FAMILY. Please register on eventbrite.

• Doors open at 6 p.m. 
• Opening performances hit the stage at 7 p.m.
• Films begin at dusk

Bring your chairs, blankets, family and friends down to Sculpture Park at the Arts Complex and enjoy the show!

Note: Please do not bring outside food or drinks except for factory-sealed or empy water bottles. Visit our Permitted/Prohibited page for more details.