Hispanic Heritage Month: How to celebrate in Rochester

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States marks Hispanic Heritage Month. For the next few weeks, there are numerous opportunities for Rochesterians to attend activities and events to celebrate Latino culture.

Here's a roundup of events you can check out in Rochester:

Roc'n Ritmo

Held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square, Roc'n Ritmo will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month in Rochester on Saturday, Sept. 9. The event runs from 5 to 11 p.m. and will feature headliners Carlos Garcia and Divino. Tickets cost $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Children 10 and younger are free.

Celebration at International Plaza

A fiesta celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month will run from 5 p.m. to dusk on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the International Plaza, 828 N. Clinton Ave., Rochester. The free event will feature live music (Bomba Boriken and 4 Latin Band) and dancing from the Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester.

Block party and art exhibit

The free event will be held at City Hall, at the corner of Church and Fitzhugh streets, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. The block party will feature live music and performances, a variety of Hispanic dishes and an art exhibit in Link Gallery inside City Hall, 30 Church St., featuring about 15 Latino artists and their work. The theme this year is "Prosperity, Power and Progress."

Fiesta at Casa Hispana

Nazareth University will host a fiesta to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 at Casa Hispana's multi-purpose room on campus, 4245 East Ave., Pittsford. The free event will feature live music, Latin food and dancing.

Hispanic Business Person of 2023 luncheon

The Rochester Hispanic Business Association will host its annual luncheon announcing this year's Hispanic Business Person of the Year on Tuesday, Sept 19 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St., Rochester. Keynote speaker is Synthia Jaramillo, senior vice president of corporate relations for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The event begins with a reception at 11:15 a.m., luncheon at noon. Tickets start at $60 per person or $550 for a table of 10.

Rochester Museum & Science Center

Explore hands-on activities and interactive storytelling (with music and movement) to learn about Hispanic and Latinx contributions to STEM, arts, culture and activism at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Ave., Rochester, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30. For admission fees and details go to rmsc.org.

Strong National Museum of Play

Learn about Hispanic heritage at the Strong National Museum of Play, at 1 Manhattan Square Drive, on Saturday, Sept. 30. View a cooking demonstration of recipes inspired by Latin American, watch dancers from Boriguen Dance Theatre and make a percussion instrument inspired by the Quijada from Peru. For admission fees and more details, go to museumofplay.org.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day

The Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave,. will host Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1. The event is part of MAG's Celebration Series, which aims to teach people about different cultures.

Tickets are free and must be reserved in advance. The event will feature live music, dances and performances and presentations centered on this year’s spotlight country (Chile), storytelling, arts and crafts and a youth talent show. This year's event is sponsored by the Gallery Council of the Memorial Art Gallery.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hispanic Heritage Month: How to celebrate in Rochester NY