David Vargas, also known as Texomazatl (Blue Deer) among traditional Aztec dance circles, founded the original Tezkatlipoka Aztec Dance in 1988 in San Jose, CA. As Executive and Artistic Director, Texomazatl continues to lead the group as a ceremonial dance group among traditional circles and community-based performing arts groups.  

For the past 30 years, Texomazatl continues to study in the traditional schools (Calmecac) of Aztec dance and music. He has taught several new generations of Aztec dancers and groups in San Jose. Over the years, Texomazatl has drawn traditional knowledge from the Calmecac, which has been passed on through many generations to share the beauty of Aztec culture. He continues this practice by facilitating and delivering quality academic programming, in residencies and workshops locally and throughout the entire United States and Canada.  

Texomazatl’s experience as a performing artist includes: Founder and lead teacher of Calmecac Tezkatlipoka Traditional Aztec Dance and Drum; Resident Artist for Young Audiences of Northern California since 1999; Resident Artist with Green Meadows Productions – Festival of Cultures 2002-2006; Residencies for Mexican Heritage Plaza, Escuela Popular, Sacred Heart Community Center, Roosevelt Community Center and several high schools in San Jose, CA.; Organizer for Youth Culture Camps for community events or festivals; Designer and custom craftsman of  Pre-Columbian jewelry, regalia, and drum instruments.

At DUF 2016

Texomazatl will be teaching Azteca Dance & Drumming for teens and adults, ages 14+. This year’s workshop will cover a similar, yet more advanced curriculum of drumming and dance techniques. The dances will be that of the rain (Tlalok) and earth (Tonantzin).