Left to right: Deneishia LeArtiste, Destiny Hardney, and Kenya Mahogany perform on stage at Manos Sagrados.

After almost two decades working in a variety of capacities in the metro Denver arts scene, local artist Alicia “Bruce” Trujillo knows that disparities in bookings and representation span the area. The local scene, she says, “highlights the same people over and over again despite talent, despite work ethic, determining who is played on the air and who performs at venues.”

Trujillo’s new business, Manos Sagrados, (Sacred Hands), seeks to rectify some of the inequities by offering both studio and performance spaces that welcome all but are centered on BIPOC, femme, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists.

The Manos Sagrados stage area has a capacity of about 100 people standing, or 30 people seated for a variety of events.

“Our focus is primarily to make sure that people who have experienced inequality throughout the industry have a space to go where they feel safe and feel seen and heard and have a space to create. That doesn’t mean that we’re excluding cis[gender] or white people at all. [Manos Sagrados] is open to everybody. It’s not an exclusive club,” says Trujillo.

Located within the Aurora Cultural Arts District on East Colfax Ave., Manos Sagrados launched after two years of work with a soft opening on New Year’s Eve, hosting a dance party to welcome in 2025.

Alicia “Bruce” Trujillo has a lot of ideas for her new business on East Colfax.

Manos Sagrados’ stage and sound booth on the ground floor offer an ideal setting for a variety of performances and events. The events calendar already includes a film screening, comedy, music, dance, and open mic nights, including a Bodies of Culture BIPOC event. Wes Watkins and DJ DemiGOD will perform at a February 15 gala to raise funds for an upgraded sound system.

Joslynne (JX3) Jones reads some of her poetry at a Bodies of Culture event hosted by Manos Sagrados.

Trujillo has long worked collaboratively in the arts to engage, empower, and showcase local musical and other creative talent. She established Manos Sagrados to support independent and locally-made music and art and hopes to bring in movement and yoga classes so that the space is busy all day long.

A liquor license and bar menu with alcoholic and “fancy and delicious” nonalcoholic drinks are in the works, with plans to feature “locally-made products and also cultural favorites,” Trujillo says. Area food trucks and local businesses will round out food offerings.

“We’re open to all types of partnerships,” says Trujillo, whose three-year vision is for Manos Sagrados to be a vibrant cultural gathering place open every day of the week.

“I would love to see movement classes happening throughout the day and different events happening each evening on the stage, and all of our studios filled with community. I would love to see people go to Cerebral Brewing [the brewery across the street] and then come over here for a show or go to the People’s Building [next door] for an art opening, and we can all work together to make that happen.”

Manos Sagrados hosts private events as well, with a capacity of about 100 people standing or 30 seated. The basement studios include eight communal and three individual art studios for rent, and a recording studio is planned.

The Manos Sagrados team also offers event production and booking services, building on an extensive history of successful programming for the Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Series, the Underground Music Showcase, Denver Vibes Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Arts, and others.

For more information, including the events calendar and booking information, visit manossagrados.com or stop in at 9975 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora. 

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch