Hispanic Heritage Month :: Celebrate & Learn with Your Family

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September 15, 2017-October 15, 2017 is Hispanic Heritage Month. 

I remember growing up with the Spanish channel Univision on our TV all the time. In our home, evening activities included eating dinner and doing homework. Then we would sit together to watch the “good novela” at 8pm. And on Saturdays we’d watch Sábado Gigante. During the commercial breaks, the network would feature a “Orgullo Hispano,” individuals who have accomplished great things in society and are “a pride of the Hispanic people.”  These highlighted people included actors, scientists, teachers, and world leaders.

The recognition of these individuals created a consciousness in me, as a Mexican-American young lady, that celebration of people like me existed and is valuable. I am reminded of these things during Hispanic Heritage Month each year. 

According to the Hispanic Heritage Month website, this month is to celebrate “contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” Hispanic Heritage Month embraces the different peoples who fall under the category of Hispanic. It’s also a month that encourages us to admire the culture that our communities bring to the American fabric.

Albuquerque is full of events and activities that highlight and honor the cultures of Latin America, Spain, and of course New Mexico itself. I enjoy these events every year!

This pride is something I want to pass on to my son. So Hispanic Heritage Month does indeed have a new significance for me now as a mother.

Around Albuquerque, there are several events to attend during Hispanic Heritage Month:

¡HAH! Happy Arte Hour

On Thursday, October 5, NHCC invites adults for artistic fun in a relaxed social setting. The evening includes snacks, refreshments, and beer & wine for sale from Pop Fizz. This is a great opportunity for friends to hang out, a unique date night option, or a place to come solo and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. This event start at 5:30 p.m. and is free. There’s a suggested $5 donation to support the artists & purchase supplies. Visit this website to register and get more information.

¡Vamos al Museo!

On October 7 at 10:30 am, families (limited to 25 participants) get a 30-minute museum tour focused on an art form, source inspiration, artist or type of material. Following the tour, the whole family can create their own artwork in the Pete V. Domenici Education Building Messy Classroom. A great morning of art-making for children of all ages and families of all sizes! Domenici Education Building, National Hispanic Cultural Center 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 Registration required. Go here to register and get more information.

Pleneros de la 21

On Friday, October 7, Los Pleneros de la 21 (“LP21”), an Afro-Puerto Rican bomba and plena ensemble, returns to New Mexico for a National Performance Network residency, including a concert at the NHCC. Their complex, multi-part harmonies, set to the rhythms of hand-held plena drums and barrel-shaped bomba drums, resurrect the African-rooted musical styles of Puerto Rico. Presented in partnership with Outpost Productions. The event is at 7:30 p.m., and costs $35, $32 w/ $3 discount for students & seniors and $5 discount for Outpost & NHCC members. Click here for tickets and more information.

Inti-Illimani

See Inti-Illimani on October 11 at 7:30 pm. Founded in 1967 by students at Santiago’s Universidad Técnica del Estado, Inti-Illimani has performed worldwide for hundreds of thousands of fans, collaborated with legendary artists, earned awards and honors for activism as well as musicianship, and produced one of Latin America’s richest discographies. Tickets are $22, $27 w/ $2 off for Students & Seniors, $3 off for NHCC Members. Go here for more information.

¡Hora de Cuentos! Bilingual Preschool Storytime

Bring your children ages 1 through preschool to the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s beautiful and historic library for bilingual story reading on October 12 at 10 am. Storytime will be every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 10 am. Parents or caregivers must remain with their child. Free; no registration required. Find more information here.

Reading & Booksigning: Irene Blea, Beneath the Super Moon

On October 14 at 2 pm in the NHCC Library enjoy a book reading and signing by Irene Blea. The third book in Blea’s “Suzanna” trilogy, Beneath the Super Moon follows Suzanna Montoya from the mid-1960s, in the early days of the Chicano Movement, as she has settled in the city, developed a critical consciousness, and begun to address urban concerns about race, class, and gender. Suzanna’s analytical gift provides a colorful voice as she takes action to address the manifestations of racism, sexism, and class discrimination where they happen—in her life—all while she seeks to reunite with the sons she left behind when she ran from her abusive husband. Go here for more information.

The Piñata Exhibit (Sure to be a Smash Hit!)

This exhibit celebrates this popular art form with over 175 examples from Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and New Mexico. Traditional and iconic works, alongside creations by contemporary piñata artists, illustrate how piñatas maintain their historical and social importance while also reflecting transnational shifts in popular, political, and visual culture. Hours & Cost:  Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm; $6 for Adults (17+), $5 for NM Residents (17+), Free for Youth (16 and under), NHCC Foundation Members, Seniors (60+) on Wednesdays, Veterans and US Active Duty Military Personnel between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and for NM Residents on the first Sunday of each month. Visit this website for more information.