Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 15, so we found 15 events happening around Broward County that celebrate the diversity of Hispanic culture.
Here’s how the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month began. In 1968, then president Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation recognizing the contributions of the Hispanic community throughout the United States with Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1989, it was expanded to a month and continues this year through Tuesday, Oct. 15. Why Sept. 15 and not the beginning of the month? Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua all celebrate the anniversary of their independence from Spain on Sept.15. During the month, events highlight the contributions of notable Hispanic and Latinx individuals and explore the traditions, art, and history of the community.
Art Workshops and Exhibits
Viva Fort Lauderdale at History Fort Lauderdale
History Fort Lauderdale’s third annual “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture” exhibit celebrates the artistic contributions of Latin artists and features the work of local artists-in-residence including Lifrancis Rojas (Venezuela), Leonardo Montoya (Colombia), Florencia Clement de Grandprey (Spain) and Isabel Perez Salazar (Venezuela). The exhibit is at History Fort Lauderdale through Sunday, Oct. 15.
WHERE: History Fort Lauderdale, 231 SW 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
HOW MUCH: $15, adults, $12, seniors, $7, students up to age 22 with student I.D., children under age 6 admitted free.
INFO: History Fort Lauderdale
Lo Fi Craft Hour – Hojalata (Tin) Art
Get meditative and learn about Hojalata, a unique Mexican art form that dates back to the 16th century during this art workshop at Broward College Library at the South Regional Campus. Hojalata, or tin art is created when tin is cut, shaped, and embossed with a pattern. During this craft hour, participants listen to music and create their own Hojalata art piece.
WHEN: 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25
WHERE: South Regional/Broward College Library (Conference Room), 7300 Pines Blvd Building 81, Pembroke Pines
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://broward.libnet.info/event/11438874
Papel Picado Craft
During this craft hour at Alvin Sherman Library, learn how to create Papel Picado, a Mexican craft that translates to “cut paper.” Papel Picado involves cutting designs from panels of thin paper and stringing them to create party bunting. This event is free but pre-registration is required.
WHEN: 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library (First Floor, Program Room 1017), 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://nova.libcal.com/event/12677790
Hispanic Heritage Exhibit: Figuration in Latino American Art
At Cotilla Gallery at Alvin Sherman Library, the focus is on figuration in Latino American art and features an array of artists from across Latin America, including Gloria Velez (Columbia), Miguel Rodez (Cuba), Monica Czukerberg (Mexico), Fernando Davila (Columbia), and Andrea Favelli (Argentina). Access to the gallery is free. The exhibit runs from through Sunday, Oct. 20.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Through Sunday, Oct. 20.
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library (Second Floor, Cotilla Gallery), 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free
INFORMATION: https://www.nova.edu/bedi/hispanic-heritage-month/index.html and https://libguides.nova.edu/figuration-latino
Dance
Mexican Folk Dances Presented by Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy Dance Program
The Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy, dedicated to sharing Mexican culture, art, music, and dance, will perform Mexican folk dances highlighting the African, Indigenous, and European influences of Mexican folk dance.
WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17 (North Lauderdale Saraniero Branch Library), 1 to 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20 (West Regional Library), noon to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5 (Lauderhill Towne Centre Library)
WHERE: North Lauderdale Saraniero Branch Library (Multipurpose Room), 6901 Kimberly Blvd., North Lauderdale; West Regional Library (Multipurpose Room), 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation; Lauderhill Towne Centre Library (Multipurpose Room), 6399 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill.
HOW MUCH: Free
INFO: Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 5
Salsa Dance Workshop: Celebrating Latino Heritage Month
A one-hour workshop at Carver Ranches Library to learn the basics of salsa and understand the characteristics of this iconic dance across Latin America. This event is free but pre-registration is required.
WHEN: 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25
WHERE: Carver Ranches Library, 4735 SW 18th St., West Park
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://broward.libnet.info/event/11154728
Marinera Forever: Peruvia Dance and Cultural Fest
Experience a cultural presentation and performance of Marinera, the national dance of Peru at Alvin Sherman Library. Presented by Marinera en el Mundo Florida, the free performance celebrates the resilience of Peruvian culture.
WHEN: 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library (Second Floor, Cotilla Gallery), 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://nova.libcal.com/event/12711655?_aiid=12167
Festivals
Oakland Park Latin Fest
Oakland Park Latin Fest celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with A free, family-friendly event. This year’s event also features live music by GianPaul and Latin Soul Band.
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20
WHERE: Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park
HOW MUCH: Free
INFORMATION: https://www.oaklandparkfl.gov/601/Latin-Fest
Miramar Latin Music Festival
The annual Miramar Latin Music Festival at the Miramar Amphitheatre in Miramar Regional Park features live music from artists such as Los Hermanos Rosario, Puerto Rican Power, Amara La Negra, and Adolescentes Orquesta. The event is free.
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21
WHERE: Amphitheatre at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar
HOW MUCH: Free
INFORMATION: https://www.visitlauderdale.com/event/miramar-latin-music-festival/42406/
Films
Festival Cine & Arte Argentino: “Muerte en Berruecos”
Filmed in Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and the United States, “Muerte En Berruecos” (2022) follows the investigation of the mysterious murder of General Antonio José de Sucre, the Grand Marshal of Ayacucho and a leader in the fight for South America’s independence from Spain. This screening also includes commentary from journalist and actress, Adriana Bianco.
WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22
WHERE: Don Taft University Center at Nova Southeastern University, Performance Theatre, 3301 College Ave., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free
INFORMATION: https://broward.libnet.info/event/11380073 and https://nova.libcal.com/event/12777551
Hispanic Heritage Month Movie Screening: “Coco”
The Disney Pixar classic “Coco.” at the Davie/Cooper City Branch Library, follows the story of Miguel, a young Mexican boy with a love of music as he journeys through the land of the dead. The free, family-friendly event includes refreshments; pre-registration is required.
WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14
WHERE: Davie/Cooper City Branch Library (Multipurpose Room), 4600 SW 82nd Ave., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://broward.libnet.info/event/10321465
Presentations and Discussions
The Future of Spanglish
A roundtable discussion and presentation discusses language crossover and the changing nature of community language use. Led by Dr. Phillip Carter (Associate Professor of English and Linguistics and Director of the Center for the Humanities in an Urban Environment at Florida International University) and Dr. Andrew Lynch (Professor and Assistant Dean of Program Development in the College of Arts and Sciences at University of Miami), this presentation focuses on Spanglish and the evolving nature of language. This event is free but pre-registration is required.
WHEN: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library (Second Floor, Cotilla Gallery), 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration is required
INFORMATION: https://nova.libcal.com/event/12711617
Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind: One Hundred Years of Solitude
A panel discussion with students, professors, and librarians during Banned Book Week focuses on Gabriel García Márquez’s literary masterpiece, “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” First published in 1967, Márquez’s book in the style of magic realism has often been banned for its content and language. This discussion is free, but participants must pre-register to attend.
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library (Second Floor, Cotilla Gallery), 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://nova.libcal.com/event/12711608
Storytime Events
Growing Up and Toward the Future: An Afternoon with Author Alexandra Alessandri
Alexandra Alessandri, a Colombian-American children’s book author, will read from one of her books and participants will have a chance to speak with the author. This family-friendly event is free but pre-registration is required.
WHEN: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library (Second Floor, Cotilla Gallery), 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Davie
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://nova.libcal.com/event/12709623 and https://broward.libnet.info/event/11127122
Bilingual Family Evening Storytime – Latino Heritage Month
Bilingual songs and stories celebrating Latino heritage.
WHEN: 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20
WHERE: Carver Ranches Branch, 4735 SW 18th St., West Park
HOW MUCH: Free, but registration required
INFORMATION: https://broward.libnet.info/event/10174929
