Hispanic Heritage Month 2023: Ultimate guide to celebrating Latino culture in Arizona
Every year, communities across the United States celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. And Arizona will not be the exception.
At least 32% of the state's population identifies as Latino or Hispanic, and with a good chunk of them living in the Valley and in the southern region of Tucson and Nogales, many cities are eager to celebrate Latino contributions.
Here's your ultimate guide on how and where to celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Arizona.
Are we missing an event? Reach out to La Voz reporter Nadia Cantú cantun@gannett.com.
'El Grito' at the state Capitol in Phoenix
For the second year, the official ceremony of "El Grito" in honor of Mexico's Independence Day will be held at the state Capitol, in an event that will be free and open to the public.
The event, which starts at 8 p.m., will feature live mariachi and performances, a community fair and dozens of Mexican food trucks.
The customary Independence Day call to arms will be given by the General Consul of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas.
Details: Sept. 15 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at the Arizona state Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Free.
'El Grito' 2023 in downtown Phoenix
Second only to "El Grito" at the state Capitol can only be this celebration in downtown Phoenix, taking place that same night, with stellar performances by El Dasa and La Brazza Norteña, as well as Banda Guamuchil, El Domador and Banda La Experta. Other local artists will perform too.
The celebration promises to bring Mexico's cultural heritage to the city, creating an atmosphere of festivity, unity and community. This event is free and for all ages.
Attendees will be able to enjoy Mexican food, mariachi, wrestling, arts and crafts, and folklórico dancing from the Ollin Yoliztli Ballet.
Details: Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. in downtown Phoenix, Third Avenue and Adams Street. Free. https://elgritophoenix.com/
Girl Scouts: 'Celebrating Mi Cultura' in Phoenix
The Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council will host “Celebrating Mi Cultura,” an event for Girl Scout families and its communities to celebrate Latino cultures and traditions.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn folkloric dances, meet Latino community leaders, break out a piñata, participate in activities rooted in Latino communities, and enjoy delicious food.
Girls will also receive an exclusive Hispanic Heritage Month patch to wear and display.
Details: Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain, 1611 E. Dobbins Road, Phoenix. $5 (financial assistance available). https://www.girlscoutsaz.org/en/sf-events-repository/2023/in-person--celebrating-mi-cultura--a-hispanic-heritage-month-eve.html
Third Annual Latino Pride Festival in Phoenix
For the third consecutive year, the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ Latinos will be held in Arizona at the Annual Latino Pride Festival. The event will be on Sept. 16 in downtown Phoenix.
Details: Sept. 16 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. Admission $15. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phoenix-3rd-annual-latino-pride-festival-tickets-414216762487
Ballet Under the Stars in Phoenix
Last May, the world premiere of Juan Gabriel surprised the public and became one of the fans' favorite works. Back by popular demand, Juan Gabriel will return to the stage the weekend of Oct. 26, but not before audiences enjoy a preview of Ballet Under the Stars.
These performances allow Arizonans to experience dance in their community in a unique way in an outdoor venue, quite literally under the stars.
Details: Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. For more information visit https://balletaz.org/
Fernando Botero: El Maestro at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
Poet of everyday life in Latin America and pioneer of figurative art, Fernando Botero has been creating art for more than 60 years, in a unique and sumptuous, immediately recognizable style, known as "Boterism."
His artistic creations will be at the Botanical Garden's Dorrance Hall, with an expanded gallery space that offers an intimate view of his influences, motivations and working methods.
The harmony of color and the beauty of form come together in this exhibition of paintings, drawings and monumental sculptures that pay tribute to the visionary Colombian artist. The exhibition is a collaboration with the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California.
Details: from Oct. 7 to March 31, 2024, at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. Admission is included with entry to the garden. https://dbg.org/events/fernando-botero-the-master/2023-10-07/
Guelaguetza at the Garden in Phoenix
The vibrant Guelaguetza festivities will come to life again at the Desert Botanical Garden. Celebrate Oaxacan culture through music, dance, art, gastronomy and much more.
La Guelaguetza is a celebration of the indigenous cultures of Oaxaca. It originates from a Zapotec word that roughly translates to “reciprocal exchange of gifts and services.”
It is a tradition that was started by the Zapotecs more than 500 years ago when they created an annual gathering focused on the worship of their corn goddess. They wanted to bring together different groups to share their customs with each other. Today, the Guelaguetza Festival brings together communities from all eight regions of Oaxaca to share their diverse traditions of music, dance, art and food.
Details: Oct. 7-8 at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. Hours vary. Admission is included with entry to the garden. https://dbg.org/events/guelaguetza-2/2023-10-07/
Independence Day Celebration at ASU in Tempe
For the fifth consecutive year, the ASU Art Museum will celebrate Mexican Independence Day.
In partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico, CALA Alliance and the School of Transborder Studies, the celebration of "El Grito" will be led by Consular Attaché of Mexico in Phoenix Armando Esparza.
Enjoy face painting, a workshop with artist Aileen Martinez, lottery games, dance lessons with ASU Salsa Club, beats from DJ CRVNT3S and live music from Mariachi Valle del Sol.
Details: Sept. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at ASU Art Museum, 51 E. 10th St. Tempe. Free. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mexican-independence-day-tickets-696210041977
Viva México Concert in Tempe
The ASU Symphony Orchestra will perform pieces by Gabriela Ortiz, José Pablo Moncayo and Silvestre Revueltas, to name a few, in honor of Mexican Independence Day. In addition, the ASU Mariachi led by Scott Glasser will perform, as well as Jaime Cuéllar's Mariachi Garibaldi as special guests of honor.
This concert is co-sponsored by ASU Gammage, the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre, and the Herberger Institute for Culture and Access.
After the concert, head to the Music Building Lawn across the street where there will be food trucks, refreshments and a live DJ.
Details: Sept. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. https://asugammage.com/shows-events/viva-mexico
Mi casa es tu casa - Finding Home in Tempe
In collaboration with La Voz and the Arizona Storytellers Project of The Arizona Republic, Tempe Center for the Arts will present an evening of storytelling, during which various community members will share the importance of home, what it means and how their experiences in Phoenix and in other parts of the world, have allowed them to reach this definition.
This bilingual event will allow audience members to delve into stories told in person by their neighbors and will provide the opportunity to celebrate the different experiences of the Valle del Sol Latino community.
Details: Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.,Tempe. Admission $7 to $10. https://www.tempecenterforthearts.com/
Chandler Contigo Kickoff
There will be strolling mariachis, family crafts, face painting, readings from local authors and more. Take a cultures of the Americas tour with interactive presentations, learn moves from local lucha libre wrestlers, and experience different forms of Latin dance from salsa to ballet folklórico.
A barrio storytelling presentation, screen-printing class and art book workshop with Diana Calderon also are on tap.
Details: Sept. 16. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. 480-782-2800, www.chandleraz.gov/events/chandler-contigo-kickoff.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Chandler celebrates Latinos with many free events
Chandler Mariachi and Folklórico Festival
This annual tradition features the music of Alan Ponce, Deyra Barrera, Herencia Mexicana Arizona, the energetic ensemble of Mariachi Sonido de México, and the passionate and charismatic all-female group Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas.
These mariachi groups will be accompanied by folklórico dancers from Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ.
For 24 consecutive years, C.A.L.L.E — with Maestra Vanessa Ramirez at the helm — has organized the event that, aside from celebrating the Valley's Mexican culture via music, dance and other forms of artistry, also serves as a fundraising opportunity for current college students.
Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $48-$88. chandlercenter.org.
'El Grito' in Mesa
Mesa and the Consul General of Phoenix will celebrate Mexico's Independence Day at the Mesa Arts Center, complete with folklórico performances and Mexican food available for purchase.
Details: Sept. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Free.
Ballet Under the Stars in Glendale
Details: Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Sahuaro Ranch Historic Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. Free. https://balletaz.org/
Flamenco Intimo in Scottsdale
The Julia Chacón Flamenco Theater, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, will bring together national and international flamenco artists to perform unforgettable dance and music, based on Spanish tradition and improvisation, so that no two performances are the same.
Chacón, who has over 15 years of international performance and production experience, founded Institución Flamenca (now known as Julia Chacón Flamenco Theatre) in 2008 with the mission of celebrating the communal nature of flamenco and promoting cultural understanding through this art form. rich and complex.
Details: Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 8 p.m. at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. https://scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event/flamenco-intimo-23/2023-10-06/
Somos Peoria Festival
Enjoy live music, entertainment, food, and folklórico ballet at the Somos Peoria Festival, held in downtown.
At the family-friendly event, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of traditional local foods, beer and margaritas, purchase crafts from local vendors and the Latina-owned and operated Mercado Mujeres, and enjoy celebrated Hispanic activities such as ballet folklórico, wrestling, mariachi music and a classic lowrider car show.
This year's entertainment includes musical performances by Ozomatli, Color Me Badd and Mariachi Divas.
Details: Sept. 30 from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Old Town Peoria at 83rd and Grand avenues. Free. VIP $40 to $75. https://www.peoriaaz.gov/.
Ballet Under the Stars in Goodyear
Details: Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, 10300 Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear. Free. https://balletaz.org/
Surprise Fiesta Grande
Surprise Fiesta Grande all-ages street festival will offer authentic Mexican food, a classic car show, wrestling, a children's area, pony rides, piñatas and more.
Details: Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave. Surprise. Free. https://comm.surpriseaz.gov/fiesta/
Ballet Under the Stars in Fountain Hills
Details: Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. Free. https://balletaz.org/
Cinema Tucson: Cassandro
The Fox Tucson Theater will screen the film Cassandro, based on a true story and starring Gael García Bernal as Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, who rises to international stardom after creating the character of Cassandro, the “Liberace of Wrestling".
Details: Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. Tucson. Free. 520-547-3040
Para Seguir Adelante: Stories of Migration in Tucson
The University of Arizona School of Art presents “Para Seguir Adelante: Stories of Migration” at the Lionel Rombach Gallery.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, there will be a community roundtable at 5:30 p.m. with photographer Lisa Elmaleh; Isabel García, founder of the Human Rights Coalition; and Raquel Rubio Goldsmith, founding director of the Binational Migration Institute.
Details: Sept. 14 to 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the College of Fine Arts, School Arts - Lionel Rombach Gallery, 1031 N. Olive Rd., University of Arizona, Tucson. https://arts.arizona.edu/events/para-seguir-adelante-stories-of-migration/
Viva Tucson 2023
The Mexican Consulate in Tucson, in collaboration with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, will present a free classical music concert with pieces by Mexican and Latin American composers.
As part of the program, Consul General in Tucson Rafael Barceló Durazo will give the traditional Mexican Independence Day call to arms and present the Ohtli award, the highest distinction granted by the Government of Mexico to people with outstanding community work who reside outside the country.
Details: Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Linda Ronstadt Concert Hall at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson. Request tickets at atunidadestuc@sre.gob.mx starting Sept. 1. Max 4 tickets.
Music in the Courtyard with Maximiliano Larrea in Tucson
Maximiliano Larrea is a nationally certified classical guitarist from Rosario, Argentina. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona, where he continues to build his career as a tango and folklórico performer, arranger, composer and educator.
In Argentina he participated in some of the main tango and folk music festivals, including the World Tango Festival and Championship and the Pre-Cosquín Festival where he was recognized as a finalist of the competition.
Details: Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Pima County Attractions & Tourism Historic Pima County Courthouse, 115 N. Church Ave. Tucson. 520-724-7355. https://www.visittucson.org/event/music-in-the-courtyard-with-maximiliano-larrea-tango-guitarist/11882/
Independence Day Celebration in Tucson
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Presidio San Agustín with the dances of the Ballet Folklorico de Danzacultural Mexicana, mariachi performances, a lecture on Mexican Tucson by Mauro Trejo and, of course, "El Grito."
Details: Sept. 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tucson Museum's Presidio San Agustín, 196 N. Court Ave. Tucson. Email to info@TucsonPresidio.com or call 520-622-0594. https://tucsonpresidio.com/calendar/mexican-independence-day-celebration/
Chile Festival at Heirloom Markets in Tucson
If you are a chili lover, you can't miss the Chili Festival where, you guessed it, you'll get a chance to get some chiles from Hatch, New Mexico.
Heirloom Farmers Markets' 21st Annual Roasted Chile Festival is the perfect opportunity to celebrate, eat and take home some of the best chiles in the country. Enjoy live music from Damon McLaughlin and Gabriel Francisco, local vendors, family activities and more.
Details: Email info@heirloomfm.org or call (520) 882-2157.
Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Udall Park Farmers Market, 7202 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson.
Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Rincon Valley Farmers and Artisans Market, 12500 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson.
Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Rillito Park Farmers Market, 4502 N. 1st Ave., Tucson.
José Sacal: A Universal Mexican in Tucson
Sculpture Park in Tucson celebrates the work of renowned Mexican sculptor José Sacal this Hispanic Heritage Month. The Mexican Consulate in Tucson, the José Sacal Foundation in Mexico City, and Sculpture Park bring 21 of the Mexican artist's interpretive bronze sculptures to display at the historic Post House in Brandi Fenton Memorial Park.
Details: from Sept. 23 to Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3420 E. River Rd. Tucson. 520-955-4973. https://www.sculpturetucson.org/
Translation Joanna Jacobo Rivera
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hispanic Heritage Month 2023: Where to celebrate in metro Phoenix
