10 Hispanic Heritage events to check out in Salinas and beyond
Last Friday, the U.S. kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month.
It lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year as a way to honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have enriched American society over generations.
Salinas is going strong in its celebrations - it brought El Grito back to Alisal Street last weekend for the first time in four years, celebrating the 213th year of Mexico's independence.
Now it's time to mark your calendars for 10 upcoming events centered around the Hispanic community or organized by Hispanic artists located within a two-hour drive from home. You can find a full guide to them below.
Festivals
The Hispanic Heritage Festival is the front-runner of them all. It'll take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 23 at Northridge Mall in Salinas. The event is free and will feature live music, folkloric dancing, face-painting, and more.
Get there early to avoid the lines.
Art showings and performances
If you're in the mood for a drive up north, the Santa Cruz County Latino Affairs Commission is hosting a Youth Art Wall Exhibition from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday Sept. 22 at the County Building on Ocean Avenue in Santa Cruz. The exhibit will feature "photographs of local youth artists creating culturally significant artwork and celebrating their own Hispanic heritage" and attendees will be able to "learn more about the significance of catrin/catrinas and piñatas as an artform".
The day after, Alegria Musical Media is hosting Premios El Libro Dorado, The Golden Book Awards, right here in Salinas - the event will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 23 at the Salinas Elks Lodge.
Tickets are required and the awards gala organizers can be contacted at 831-444-1192.
Watsonville native Cristal González is putting on a one-woman show titled "La Sombra". Previously featured at the Los Angeles Women's Theater Festival and the International Latino Theater Festival in San Diego, "La Sombra" will be performed by González from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30 at Palenke Arts on Broadway Avenue in Seaside.
Palenke Arts describes the show as aiming "a blinding light on the shadows of domestic violence following the relationship plight of two college-aged Chicanos, Celi and Army. Tension rises as Celi, a first-generation college sophomore, must choose to salvage her failing relationship or leave Army for good. As Celi struggles with her decision, she revisits conversations with the people (who) shaped her; the women in her life, and even her estranged father. As Army spirals deeper into his abusive tendencies, wrestling with his own demons, Celi is caught up in the search for her truth, digging at the root of what got her there to begin with. '¿Cuando me perdí en ti? ¿Dejando ni un rostro de lo que fui? ¿ Cuándo te di tanto poder sobre mi? '"
Take a drive north to Gilroy, there artist Nacho Moya is presenting over 20 of his paintings in an evening reception titled "From Retail Worker to Artist." The event starts at 6 p.m. on Friday Oct. 13 at Gavilan College on 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. in Gilroy. Moya, Gavilan College alum, has previously received the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award and the Poppy Jasper award for his work.
According to the event organizers, "Attendees will be able to chat with Mr. Moya and enjoy light refreshments, while viewing the paintings and networking with community dignitaries. This event is open to the entire community and those wishing to attend are strongly encouraged to RSVP."
Philanthropic events
The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Siembra Latinos Celebration, which will involve tequila tastings, food catered by Vino Bonata, and live guitar music, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Taylor Farms on 150 Main St. in Salinas. Tickets are currently sold out, but anyone interested in attending can email events@cfmco.org to be added to the waitlist.
And next month, the Hispanic Foundation of Salinas Valley is hosting their 34th annual ball from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Signia by Hilton on 170 South Market St. in San Jose, complete with dinner, presentations by Latinos in Technology, a raffle and, of course, dancing.
Educational events
We have two more Hispanic-centered events up in the Bay Area.
First, the Hispanic BioMed Techathon is an opportunity for students to learn about the future of science and technology through themed exhibits relating to anatomy, biology and virtual reality tools. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Tech Museum on 102 S. Market St. in San Jose.
One week later, Es Tiempo, LLC will be hosting the 2023 Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 7 at the Computer History Museum on 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Mountain View.
"The day will be shaped by providing inspirational insights into how the Latinx population drives U.S. economic growth," according to Es Tiempo.
Bonus
And finally, back in Salinas, we're closing out Hispanic Heritage Month with a shift into preparations for the Day of the Dead. Brew-N-Krew Ale House is hosting celebrations for Dia De Los Muertos during the first weekend of November at their location on 155 Main St. There will be dancing, singing, and sugar skull decorating along with live music and pan de muertos paired with hot chocolate and coffee.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Salinas Californian on local events and other happenings.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: The complete guide to Hispanic Heritage events in the Salinas Valley
