Isabel Marie Sanchez performs before an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
AURORA | Aurora and Denver will join celebrations across the U.S. commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual tradition that showcases the awe-inspiring diversity and culture of Hispanic people.
Celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month is a chance for many in the U.S. to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Hispanics, the country’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic minority, according to the census. The group includes people whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, or who hail from those places themselves.
There are more than 65 million people identified as ethnically Hispanic in the U.S., according to the latest census estimates.
About one-third of Aurora identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to Aurora and Census reports.
FILE – Performers participate in halftime actives in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 21, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. Hispanic history and culture take center stage across the U.S. for National Hispanic Heritage Month. The celebration recognizes contributions made by Hispanic Americans, the fastest-growing racial or ethnic minority according to the Census, and with a U.S. population of over 63 million people, there will be a plethora of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations all over the country starting Friday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)Heritage week embraces the sprawling histories of Latinos
Before there was National Hispanic Heritage Month, there was Hispanic Heritage Week, which was created through legislation sponsored by Mexican American U.S. Rep. Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The weeklong commemoration was expanded to a month two decades later, with legislation signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
“It was clustered around big celebrations for the community,” Alberto Lammers, director of communications at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute said. “It became a chance for people to know Hispanic cultures, for Latinos to get to know a community better and for the American public to understand a little better the long history of Latinos in the U.S.”
The month is a way for Hispanics to showcase their diversity and culture with the support of the government, said Rachel Gonzalez-Martin, an associate professor of Mexican American and Latino Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point to coincide with the anniversary of “El Grito de Dolores,” or the “Cry of Dolores,” which was issued in 1810 from a town in central Mexico that launched that country’s war for independence from Spain.
The Central American nations of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate their independence on Sept. 15, and Mexico marks its national day on Sept. 16, the day after the cry for independence.
Also during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the South American nation of Chile observes its independence day on Sept. 18. Indigenous Peoples’ Day, previously known as Columbus Day, is observed in the U.S. on the second Monday of October.
Over the past decade, the month has grown due to the larger Latino consumer base in the U.S., Gonzalez-Martin said. Gonzalez-Martin said visible support from the federal government, including celebrations at the White House, has also made it easier for Hispanics to celebrate.
“Hispanic Heritage Month was a way in which to be Hispanic and Latino but with official blessing,” Gonzalez-Martin said. “It was a recognition of belonging and that became really powerful.”
The four-week period is about honoring the way Hispanic populations have shaped the U.S. in the past and present, Lammers said.
“It gives us a chance to acknowledge how Latinos have been part of this nation for so many centuries,” Lammers said. “I think that’s what is great about this. It has allowed us to really dig deeper and a chance to tell our stories.”
Catrinas, which are larger than life scaled papier mache traditional Day of the Dead skeletons, are on display in the Central Branch of Aurora Public Library throughout the remainder of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel ColoradoNot everyone who is Hispanic uses that label
Hispanic was a term coined by the federal government for people descended from Spanish-speaking cultures. But for some, the label has a connotation of political conservatism and emphasizes a connection to Spain. It sometimes gets mistakenly interchanged with “Latino” or “Latinx.”
For some, Latino reflects their ties to Latin America. So some celebrations are referred to as Latinx or Latin Heritage Month.
Latin Americans are not a monolith. There are several identifiers for Latin Americans, depending largely on personal preference. Mexican Americans who grew up during the 1960s Civil Rights era may identify as Chicano. Others may go by their family’s nation of origin such as Colombian American or Salvadoran American.
Each culture has unique differences when it comes to music, food, art and other cultural touchstones.
Hispanic and Latino economics
Latinos account for the fastest-growing portion of the national Gross Domestic Product, said Luisa Godinez-Puig, an equity scholar with nonprofit research organization Urban Institute. The GDP of Latinos was an estimated $2.8 trillion in 2020, compared with $2.1 trillion in 2015 and $1.7 trillion in 2010.
It’s a contradiction to the fact that many Latinos still face obstacles with personal finances. Surveys show median wealth is five times lower for Latino families than their white counterparts. Less than half of Hispanic families own their own homes, Godinez-Puig added.
“Their needs are not being met,” Godinez-Puig said. “Not having access to banking products, not having access to investment, not having access to credit — all of these things impact the wealth, building opportunities of families, which are passed from generation to generation.”
Johaly Lopez sings during the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Sept. 15 at the Aurora Public Library Central Branch. More than 100 people attended the event which featured dancing and musical performances, and cuisine from several Latin American countries.
Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel ColoradoFocus on culture
The U.S. Postal Service put its own stamp on the occasion. One year ago, the agency released new Forever stamps featuring piñatas. The handmade party favorites are typically associated with parties where blindfolded guests try to crack one open to get to the candy inside. But their history can be traced to the 16th century.
Corporations also partake in the celebrations. Walt Disney World Resort chose the week last year to debut live-action versions at Magic Kingdom Park of Mirabel and Bruno, two popular characters from the animated hit “Encanto.” The movie, about a family in Colombia with extraordinary abilities, is credited with showing a large audience the nuances of Colombian culture.
“It’s not Mexico and you can see them eating different foods and you can see like the music is different,” said Huízar-Hernández, who is Mexican American. “Movies, TV, that’s the way a lot of people learn.”
A future source of learning will be the highly anticipated Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. In 2020, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to establish the museum.
The legislation also called for an American Latino History and Culture grant program. Last summer Urban Institute researchers, like Godinez-Puig, have been working with the Institute of Museum and Library Services on how to dole out federal grants for American Latino museums and their programming. This initiative reflects the growing number of places occupied by Latino culture, she said.
“As s a Latina woman, myself, I’m just very excited to see that we … not just only talk about where we are lagging, but also celebrate the variety of cultures that we have within our community and celebrate the hard-working people that contribute a lot to the American society,” Godinez-Puig said. “Because they do.”
Catrinas, which are larger than life scaled papier mache traditional Day of the Dead skeletons, were on display in the Central Branch of Aurora Public Library throughout the remainder of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel ColoradoHispanic Heritage Month Events in Metro Aurora
Denver hosting “Latin Beats” concert to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
The vibrant sounds of Latin America are slated to fill the Boettcher Concert Hall as the Mexican Cultural Center and the Colorado Symphony present the eighth edition of “Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Americas.”
Scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 26, this free event will feature a wide array of Latin American music and dance, with a special emphasis on the musical traditions of Mexico and the South American Andes.
Touted as a highlight of Denver’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, the concert promises to take audiences on a rich musical journey, blending traditional and contemporary styles. The event will feature lively rhythms, emotional ballads, and regional melodies that reflect the deep cultural heritage of Latin America.
One of the evening’s most anticipated acts is Qhaswa Peru-USA, a cultural association that showcases Peruvian culture through dance, storytelling, and folkloric performances. Qhaswa, which means “joyful and festive dance” in Quechua, will offer audiences a taste of authentic Andean traditions. Additionally, acclaimed performers baritone Adan Pérez and mezzo-soprano Oralia Castro López will perform operatic pieces rooted in the rich musical heritage of Sinaloa, Mexico.
The event will also include performances by Denver’s own Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra and Banda La Patrona, a 16-member Regional Mexican band from Zacatecas, as well as folkloric ballet by ArtistiCo. El Sistema, a youth orchestra group, will perform in the lobby prior to the main event.
Rachel Garcia, Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Center said, “This is a vibrant celebration of Latin America’s rich musical heritage.”
Free tickets are available at the Boettcher Concert Hall Box Office. Tickets are required for admission but do not guarantee entry. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, go to coloradosymphony.org.
Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, for a month
The CJRO is set to deliver a month-long celebration of
Brazilian jazz, highlighting some of the finest jazz artists in the region. Led by CJRO artistic director Drew Zaremba, these
performances are touted as a fusion of Latin rhythms and captivating music that will transport audiences to the vibrant streets of Brazil and beyond.
The CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble embraces the September through October celebration by featuring some of the best
Latin musicians in the region. Events include:
Colorado Brazil Fest 2024
The CJRO is proud to be the headlining group for the
opening of Colorado Brazil Fest 2024. Guitarist Gabriel
Santiago and vocalist Marion Powers will be featured along with the CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Sept. 19 at 8:45 p.m.
Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St in Boulder
Tickets available online only at
www.coloradojazz.org/concerts.
A Journey to Brazil
From the smooth sounds of bossa nova to the infectious beats of samba, Brazilian music has captivated audiences around the world with its unique blend of passion, rhythm, and melody. Gabriel Santiago will be featured on guitar along with Marion Powers on vocals and the CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway
Box Office: 303-987-7845
Yo Soy Arte: Calacas y Catrinas
This captivating exhibition celebrates Mexican culture and the artistic traditions of Día de los Muertos. It brings to life the calacas (skeletons) and catrinas (elegant skeletons satirizing high society) found in Mexican traditions. The unique approach Mexicans take toward death—cheerful and festive—is showcased with larger-than-life paper-mâché catrinas created by Los Angeles artist Ricardo Soltero and calacas hand-painted by Colorado Latinx artists. Find calacas on view at Denver Botanic Gardens (included with admission) and catrinas on view at Aurora Public Libraries through October 20.
Heritage at the Stanley in Aurora
The Stanley is offering a vibrant evening filled with culture, music, and community. Slated Sept. 20 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the West Patio and Lawn, highlights include:
• Mariachi Performances with Lucha Libre, Baile Folklórico Dances, artisan crafts and local art and a Lowriders Showcase with live music and entertainment
The family-friendly event is free. Come enjoy a wide variety of Latino foods, and discover unique handmade goods from local artisans. Details at stanleymarketplace.com.
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Publish date : 2024-09-17 02:54:00
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