What We Do:

Manos Sagrados is located in the center of the Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD), an independently owned events space, providing a 170 standing/70 seated capacity space for concerts, poetry, jams, drag, and more. In daylight hours, we offer movement classes such as yoga, dance, and meditation. Manos also provides affordable art studio spaces to create, experiment, and dive into the artistic process with studio spaces available 24 hours per day, so artists can work on their own schedule, in solitude or in community. Additionally, Manos has a small recording studio space for musicians, podcasters, and eventually, internet radio.

With experience booking artists for partner agencies, Manos Sagrados is also able to provide both nonprofit and private bookings and consultation for events and festivals, focusing on these communities, with past and current clients including the Visit Aurora, Civic Center Conservancy, and The Biennial of the Americas. Manos Sagrados partners with local production companies to provide sound packages for bookings as well.

Manos Sagrados grew out of a need to support the communities it came from. Discover more on our offerings, and contact us with any inquiries or questions.

ABOUT Us

Manos Sagrados uses both hands to be present in Community. On top, we showcase our artists and musicians - soon to come, an independent venue, artist studio space, and recording studio. The bottom hand is in a supportive position, with booking, management, and consulting for artists and the communities that seek to work with them.

Manos Sagrados exists for the communities it comes from.

While "manos" is a feminized word in the colonizer language brought to these lands by the Spanish, we keep "sagrados" masculine, a reminder of balance, and in honor of sacred queer identity imbued into this work. The name itself was inspired from a limpia (traditional Indigenous spiritual/energetic cleansing) that our founder received from Ancestor Maestra Cihuatli Cihuatl, who, upon going over her hands with flowers, looked up, and asked if she was an artist. When confirmed, she said, “yes, you have stories to tell, take care of your sacred hands.” 

our history

Manos Sagrados was founded by Alicia “Bruce” Trujillo in the spring of 2023. Trujillo is a queer Chicana of mixed heritage, and has spent her career in radio, talent buying, production, is a visual artist and muralist, a yoga instructor, and collaborates with several organizations in the Denver Metro area.

Trujillo saw the need for intentional safe spaces for musicians, artists, and other creatives that would foster creativity, curiosity, and collaboration - particularly for global majority, femme, queer and disabled folks. Additionally, with her background, she wanted to work with organizations in the community committed to booking and supporting these artists as well - thus the booking arm of Manos.

The idea of Manos Sagrados came about on a trip to Mexico City Art Week 2023 - a space that could house a venue, studios, and community all in one. Upon returning to Denver, Trujillo was working with The People’s Building on a potential project, and was told the building next door may be up for rent soon. Within the next few months, the lease was signed, the business was formally created, and the team was assembled.


 

Services we offer

Services we offer

Manos Sagrados houses live events, artist studio spaces, a recording studio, and movement classes. Our space at 9975 E. Colfax Ave. in the center of the Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD) can also be rented for your events, classes, and more.

Manos is also able to offer booking services for your organization, as well as consultation for artists, musicians, and businesses.

Check out our overview here, which include price sheets and a glance at what we’ve already done with our community.

Manos Sagrados Overview

In the Media