During National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, America celebrates the culture and traditions of Spanish speaking residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Hispanic Heritage Month Events
- Latino Festival - Fiestia DC - September 27, 2009. The annual event in Downtown Washington, DC includes a parade, a children’s festival, a science fair, arts & crafts, international cuisine and much more.
- Fiesta Musical at the National Zoo - September 20, 2009, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with animal demonstrations, Hispanic and Latino music, costumed dancers, traditional crafts, and Latin American foods.
- Smithsonian Hispanic Heritage Month Family Day - September 12, 2009, 1–5 p.m. Smithsonian American Art
Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. The event includes arts-and-crafts activities, music and dance performances, storytelling, and bilingual tours.
- Hispanic Heritage Month at the National Gallery of Art - September 15 - October 15, 2009. The Gallery presents a wide array of offerings honoring this rich and diverse cultural legacy. It coincides with the exhibition The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain and its many concurrent activities and programs. In addition to these special events, the Gallery regularly offers Spanish-language guided tours, audio guides, and printed guides to the art collection.
- Gaithersburg Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - September 8, 2009, 6-7:15 p.m. City Hall Gallery, 31 South Summit Avenue. Gaithersburg, MD. The City of Gaithersburg's Multicultural Affairs Committee will host a reception featuring entertainment by Jacob Moreno and food and refreshments by Ay! Jalisco. Attendees will include the Mayor and City Council, community volunteers, City staff, and representatives of the Hispanic community. The general public is invited to
attend.
- Arpas de America: Latin American Harp Festival - September 11 & 12, 2009, 7:30 pm.
Rosslyn Spectrum. Rosslyn, VA. 703-548-3092. Teatro de la Luna presents four master interpreters of the Latin American harp, Juan Aquino from Venezuela, Celso Duarte from Paraguay, Daniel Rojas from Columbia and Ruben Vasquez Dominguez from Mexico.
- AFI Latin American Film Festival - September 23-October 12, 2009. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. Silver Spring, MD. The annual festival showcases the best filmmaking from Latin America and, with the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal, celebrates Ibero-American cultural connections. This year's Festival will screen over 30 films from 18 different Latin American countries, including multiple award-winners, international festival favorites, local box-office hits and debut works by promising new talents.
- "Ama Tu Vida" (Love Your Life) Health Festival - September 19, 2009, noon to 4:30 p.m., at the athletic fields at Wheaton Regional Park. Montgomery County, Maryland will sponsor the event which will include free blood pressure, cholesterol and vision screenings by local hospitals, community clinics and health organizations. Entertainment will be provided by Los Caporales de San Simon de Bolivia, Danzas y Ritmos Panameños y el Charro Javier and Grupo Miel.
- International Festival of Hispanic Theater - October 13 - November 21, 2009. Gunston Arts Center, Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington, VA.
Arlington's acclaimed Spanish-language theatre company showcases top visiting theatre troupes from Latin American and Spain.
Hispanic Related Monuments and Memorials in Washington, DC
Many Hispanics have made important contributions to America. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a good time to visit these monuments and learn more about these historic figures.
