Las posadas

Las posadas recuerdan el peregrinaje de María y José desde Nazaret hasta Belén. La primera posada se celebró con nueve misas para conmemorar este viaje. El número de misas se aumentó para simbolizar el tiempo de embarazo de María.
Con el tiempo, las posadas se expandieron desde el convento de Acolman a barrios y ciudades de todo México. Hoy en día, las posadas son una celebración que reúne a la familia y a los amigos, y que forma parte de la identidad cultural del país.

The posadas commemorate the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The first posada was celebrated with nine masses to commemorate this journey. The number of masses was increased to symbolise the time of Mary's pregnancy.
Over time, the posadas spread from the convent in Acolman to neighbourhoods and cities throughout Mexico. Today, the posadas are a celebration that brings together family and friends, and is part of the country's cultural identity.

About Orquesta Northwest

Led by primarily Latinx staff and board, Orquesta Northwest has worked to promote a sense of belonging and empowerment in Seattle-area Latino community members, beginning with the arrival of Paula Nava Madrigal, professional cellist, and conductor from Guadalajara. In collaboration with a local nonprofit providing instruction, without charge, to under-served youth, she launched the World Youth Orchestra program the same year. In 2015 Ms. Madrigal and Teo Benson, professional violinist and founder and Director of Halcyon Strings Music School, co-founded the Ballard Civic Orchestra and began offering annual Latino arts and culture concert series featuring Latinx guest artists and composers. In 2019 Orquesta Northwest became a 501c3 nonprofit organization, presenting World Youth Orchestra and Ballard Civic Orchestra arts and culture programs and projects and offering an annual Master Class by a new Cascade Conducting program in partnership with Symphony Tacoma. Orquesta Northwest collaborates and partners with other Seattle-area Latino organizations, such as the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Casa Latina, Latino Community Fund, and SeaMar Museum of Chicano/a Latino/a Culture, to present Latino arts and culture events and youth educational programming without charge.

The programs and projects of Orquesta Northwest serve as a bridge to excellence in every dimension of life by celebrating Latino arts and culture, empowering marginalized community members, especially youth, and building partnerships and deepening ties with the Latino community. In 2022 Orquesta Northwest social justice projects include voter education, community messaging about the pandemic and vaccination, a celebration of Latinx essential workers, youth cultural education, and capacity-building to achieve equitable access to space in Seattle.

Orquesta Northwest is supported by city, county, state, and federal grants as well as foundations and individuals, including the National Association of Latino Arts & Culture (NALAC), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Tides Foundation, 4Culture (King County), ArtsWA, Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture and Neighborhood Matching Fund, and Equitable Communities Initiative.

Las Posadas Holiday Celebration 2025

Celebrate together!