Building Bridges Through Art: Gabriel Martínez’s Vision for Cincinnati

In the spirit of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Unidos, Somos Más” (“Together, We Are More”), Latina Today (MujerLatinaToday.com) and the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation are joining forces to celebrate the leadership, accomplishments, lived experiences, cultural strength, and community stewardship of Latinos who are making a difference across the United States.

Lorena Mora-Mowry of Latina Today Podcasts sits down with Gabriel Martinez Rubio, known as Gabo Dos-Corazones, a dancer, choreographer, producer, and director of the Cincy VyM: Latiné Performing Arts Festival.

Gabriel's professional career has spanned both Mexico and the United States, where he has worked with organizations such as Mutual Dance Theatre, the Synergy Dance Series, and the Megan Flynn Dance Company. As an inspiring figure featured during Hispanic Heritage Month 2026, he shares his life journey, leadership experiences, and commitment to serving others.

In 2019, he founded Dos-Corazones Productions to bring artistic performances and educational workshops to Cincinnati's Hispanic community. Between 2020 and 2026, he received the ArtsWave Black and Brown Artist Program Grant, through which he created interdisciplinary works exploring modern dance, documentary short films, theater, video, and activism. He has also developed dance theater productions for children and presented work at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

Escucha esta inspiradora conversación en español en el Latina Podcast y descubre su pasión por la cultura y cómo construye puentes entre comunidades a través del arte.

When asked about his beginnings, the young man who grew up in Mexico, the cultural impact he has made, his passion for dance, and the journey that led him to become Gabo Dos Corazones, Gabriel Martínez reflects on a life shaped by art, curiosity, and community.

Gabriel Martínez comes from a close-knit family in the state of Querétaro.

"I grew up in Mexico City, but I'm from a village in the Querétaro highlands called San Miguel Palmas, and that was my first introduction to art. I went to a public school where we were always dancing and participating in theater activities."

He loved those experiences, but at age 12, he moved with his parents to Mexico City.

Reflecting on his journey through dance and theater in Mexico, Gabriel explains that he has always been a very curious person. His love for the arts began with dance, which opened the door to a broader appreciation of creative expression.

"My director, who was excellent, used to tell me, 'You have a terrible, terrible, terrible ear for music.'"

He told me I needed to start listening to more music, especially good music and classical music. So I began attending every concert I could, including performances by the Symphony Orchestra in Mexico City. They would have seasons lasting two or three months, followed by a break. I went every week to listen to music. That's how I became something of a music lover, and I developed a deep appreciation for it."

When he was very young, Gabriel discovered the work of Pina Bausch, the iconic German dancer and choreographer who revolutionized contemporary dance. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the field, she is credited with developing and popularizing dance theater (Tanztheater).

Gabriel went on to study theater in Mexico, attending courses at the Casa del Teatro in Coyoacán, as well as specialized, invitation-only workshops led by prominent acting instructors. He also studied stage direction, which enabled him to create and produce his own works.

Later, he lived in Germany, where he discovered that perceptions of art vary across cultures. He came to understand that art reflects society and that each country offers a unique perspective, while sharing many fundamental similarities.

When asked about his departure from Mexico and his arrival in Cincinnati, Gabriel shared how his journey to the United States began.

Gabriel left Mexico to support his partner, who had received a scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"We spent two years there, and I had the opportunity to work with a group called the Carver Dance Company, as well as collaborate on various events as an independent choreographer. I also had the chance to choreograph a performance for an event held along a river, which was a beautiful open-air experience."

He explains that he already had experience leading artistic projects, having co-founded and managed a dance company with friends in Mexico.

"After I stopped performing, I wanted to create my own work, so I started a dance company," Gabriel says.

After his partner completed his studies, the couple moved to Cincinnati when his partner accepted a position at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

"It seemed like the perfect place at the time."

For two years, Gabriel worked with Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers, formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance. In 2019, he began focusing on independent projects, including organizing a Day of the Dead event in Price Hill.

"Then the pandemic hit, and many things came to a standstill. That's when I began creating my own productions."

Gabriel credits ArtsWave, one of the region's leading arts funding organizations, for supporting many of his creative endeavors.

"I've been fortunate to receive support from ArtsWave for the work I've presented. So far, I've produced six shows with their support. I've consistently presented new work year after year, and currently I'm involved in several initiatives. We are launching a theater collective called Hagamos Teatro (Let's Make Theater) and an arts festival in Cincinnati to bring together the artistic community during this pivotal period of political and social change in our country," says Gabriel Martínez.

The 2026 Latiné Performing Arts Festival was born out of the need to create a platform for Latiné artists. Through his work with ArtsWave grants, Gabriel Martínez has witnessed firsthand the growing number of Latiné artists seeking opportunities and spaces to showcase their work.

Throughout this journey, Gabriel has connected with artists from a wide range of disciplines, including filmmakers, visual artists, writers, podcasters, dancers, singers, and musicians.

"There are so many talented artists in our community. What we need most are spaces that open their doors and make this work visible, especially during a time when stigma and misunderstanding continue to affect many communities," Gabriel Martínez says.

Highlighting the positive contributions of the Latino community is essential. This vision inspired the creation of Cincinnati V&M (Voices & Movement), a performing arts festival that celebrates poetry, music, dance, and theater. The festival also offers workshops for children, including a flamenco class.

All participating artists are Hispanic, with many representing diverse immigrant communities from countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia. The festival's mission is to create safe, welcoming spaces in neighborhoods throughout Cincinnati, fostering cultural exchange and community engagement. The inaugural festival takes place on September 18, and admission is free and open to the public.

Regarding the Latiné Performing Arts Festival, organized by Cincinnati V&M and presented by Gabo Dos Corazones as part of the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Gabriel outlined the festival's multi-day program and extended an invitation to the Latino community and the broader public to participate in its events and activities.

For more information, visit Dos Corazones Productions.

Festival Schedule

September 18, 2026
Join us for the festival opening and meet-and-greet, featuring live music by La Dama del Pueblo, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.at Swell Art Café.

September 19, 2026
Pocho Libros by Abel Zavala, followed by a Bilingual Night of Music and Poetry featuring Adriana Prieto Quintero, Luis Ángel Barreto, and La Dama del Pueblo, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at The Well.

September 25, 2026
Theater Night presented by the Hagamos Teatro Collective: Soldados (performed in Spanish with English subtitles) at ARCO Price Hill, 7:00 p.m. Recommended for ages 17 and older.

October 2, 2026
Maya Glyphic Writing Workshop for ages 8 through adult, led by artist and educator Rebecca Nava Soto, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Wave Pool Art Center.

October 3, 2026
Introduction to Flamenco Dance with Navy Encinias at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, for ages 15 and older, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

October 3, 2026
Space Recycled Art Workshop for ages 7 to 12, presented by Maribel Cortés Conde of the EducaTE Family Foundation, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Wave Pool Art Center.

October 3, 2026
Fiesta! Live Music, Dance, and Celebration featuring MaryKandela, at Swell Art Café, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Gabriel Martínez invites everyone to attend the 2026 Latiné Performing Arts Festival. He explains that the experience of migration can make it challenging to build networks, even within the artistic community.

This festival seeks to strengthen those connections by fostering a vibrant Hispanic artistic network and creating meaningful opportunities for artists to showcase their work. More importantly, it aims to build community and provide welcoming spaces where culture, creativity, and shared experiences can thrive.

"The festival is not only for artists," Martínez emphasizes. "It is for the entire community. Creativity is essential, and the arts help bring people together, inspire dialogue, and create a sense of belonging."

Through initiatives like the Latiné Performing Arts Festival, Gabriel hopes to celebrate the richness of Latino culture while making artistic expression accessible to everyone.

Gabriel Martínez invites everyone to attend the 2026 Latiné Performing Arts Festival. He explains that the experience of migration can make it challenging to build networks, even within the artistic community. This Hispanic artistic network fosters connection, builds community, and creates opportunities to showcase creative work, benefiting not only artists but the broader community as well. Creativity is essential to the growth and vitality of both artists and society.

Gabriel Martinez- Gabo Dos Corazones - expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his work and promote the festival.

"It is important for people to show their support by attending because the more visible we are, the more we grow as a community. I'm not saying that I am the face of the Hispanic community, but I do believe the festival represents our community because it brings together so many artists from different disciplines, including theater, music, singing, visual arts, children's programming, dance, and more.

"We are growing, and we are moving forward. In a way, when people see that someone has accomplished something, they feel inspired to pursue their own goals. In Mexico, we have a saying: 'If he could do it, why can't I?' I hope people see what we're building and feel encouraged to take that same step and believe in their own potential."