Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 through October 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is observing this month with several events to help educate the public about Mexico's Independence Day (Sept. 16) as well as the cultural richness of Hispanic heritage.
El Centenario: Mexican Independence Day Celebrations in the American Southwest
Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 671-0045
www.dallasculture.org
Date: Sept. 18, 2013
This intriguing event features a lecture by University of Houston professor Raul Ramos. El Centenario: Mexican Independence Day Celebrations in the American Southwest takes a look at the parades that were held across the American Southwest that commemorated the centennial of Mexico's independence in 1910. The celebrations from Texas to California demonstrated the many ways Mexican people asserted their presence in the United States while reflecting on their heritage and history. Dr. Ramos will discuss how the government of Porfirio Diaz attempted to use the parades to counter the political unrest that resulted in the Mexican Revolution. This presentation is free and open to the public.
Reception: Forging Identity: Creating Local Art, Dallas and North Texas Latino Artists, 1970-1993
Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 671-0045
www.dallasculture.org
Date: Sept. 12, 2013
An opening reception for Forging Identity: Creating Local Art, Dallas and North Texas Latino Artists, 1970-1993 will be held at the Latino Cultural Center on September 12. Several works from nationally known artists including Maria Teresa Garcia-Pedroche, Eliseo Garcia and Benito Huerta will be featured. The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibit will run until October 19.
Related: Unique Museums In DFW
Festival: The Latino Cultural Center's 10th Anniversary
Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 671-0045
www.dallasculture.org
Date: Sept. 21, 2013
The Latino Cultural Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free community festival with performances by Latino artists including Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and Cara Mia Theater. Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico was created in 1975 by Ms. Martinez to teach about the rich Dallas Hispanic heritage that is an important part of Texas history. Through education about traditional Mexican music, dance and history, Martinez hopes to inspire today's youth to pursue their goals. Created in 1996, the Cara Mia Theater is Dallas' first theater to represent the Mexican-American experience by broadening the appreciation of the Chicano and Latino culture through sharing of literature and theatrical performances. The day will conclude with a concert by Grammy Award-winning Tejano band Los Texmaniacs. This event is free and open to the public.
Exhibition: Dia de Los Muertos
Bath House Cultural Center
521 E. Lawther Drive
Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 670-8749
www.dallasculture.org
Date: Oct. 12 through Nov. 16, 2013
The Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition will be on view at the Bath House Cultural Center. This is the 27th year of the eclectic exhibit that honors the dead, but the exhibit is far from depressing. It is actually colorful and joyful. There will also be a reception on Sunday, October 13, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
Dining and Music: El Ranchito
El Ranchito
610 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-4238
www.elranchito.com
Date: Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2013
El Ranchito Restaurant offers music from the city's finest mariachis. The sound of trumpets, fervent strumming of guitars and voices raised in perfect harmony will make you think you have been transported to the heart of Mexico. El Ranchito features two bands that play on different nights: Bronco Mariachis and San Luis Mariachis. Oscar and Laura Sanchez specialize in Comida Norteña (northern food) and serve Tex-Mex favorites like cabrito, mollejas and asado de puerco. The music coupled with El Ranchito's authentic cuisine hailed from Monterrey and Nuevo Leon is a true Mexican experience.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her
appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-
respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and
enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
