Athens, Ga. – Members of the University of Georgia and Athens community will present an array of events through the end of October to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute, an area studies unit of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the month-long celebration held nationally from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 honors the contributions of Hispanic-Americans in the U.S. while highlighting the diverse heritage and cultures of Latin America.
The celebration will begin with the annual LACSI Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta on Sept. 13 from 3-6 p.m. in the LACSI office at 290 S. Hull St. The fiesta will include live music performed by the Athens Tango Project, Aztec dance and music performed by Chicahua Yolotli, martial art demonstration by Capoeira and traditional Brazilian food.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2013 posters will be available at the event, which is sponsored by LACSI, the UGA Office of the President, the Instituto de Mexico, Multicultural Services and Programs, the department of romance languages, the Portuguese Flagship Program and Jittery Joe’s Coffee.
Throughout the month-long celebration, lectures, cultural events and a film festival will take place on the UGA campus and throughout the community. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.
Sept. 13 – LACSI Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta
The annual LACSI Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 14 from 3- 6 p.m. at the LACSI office, 290 S. Hull St.
Saturdays through Oct. 12 – Cuentos para la Familia
The Athens-Clarke County Library will hold its bilingual family reading program Cuentos para la Familia on Saturdays through Oct. 12 from 9-10:30 a.m. at library. For more information, contact Denise Davila at ddavila@uga.edu.
Sept. 14 – Fantasia Mexicana
The Mexican Independence Day celebration, “Fantasia Mexicana: Que Bonita es mi Tierra,” will be held Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, and will feature the Mariachi Universitario and Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad Veracruzana. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.cobbenergycentre.com/event/que-bonita-es-mi-tierra/.
Sept. 18 – Discussion of Immigration Reform and Higher Education
A “Discussion of Immigration Reform and Higher Education,” sponsored by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Hispanic Student Association and Young Democrats, will be held Sept. 18 with time and location to be determined. For more information, contact Lambda Theta Phi’s Curtis Rau at popo21@uga.edu.
Oct. 1 – Pinewoods Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta
Pinewoods Library and Learning Center will hold a Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta Oct. 1 from 6:30-8 p.m. The event will include live music and readings at the Pinewoods Library, 1465 Hwy. 29 North, Lot G-10 in Athens. For more information, contact library branch manager Aida Quiñones at 706-613-3708.
Oct. 5 – Noche Latina
The UGA Hispanic Student Association will present its annual event, Noche Latina, on Oct. 5 from 6-9:30 p.m. in the Tate Student Center Grand Hall. Dinner featuring Latino cuisine will be included. The event will feature Latin-American music, dance and other artistic performances. Noche Latina, a Blue Card event, is $8 for students and $10 for the general public.
Oct. 7-11 – Lambda Week
Lambda Theta Phi will hold Lambda Week from Oct. 7-11. Events will include Latin dance lessons, a percentage night fundraiser and a field day with the local Hispanic community. For detailed information on the events, contact Lambda Theta Phi’s Curtis Rau at popo21@uga.edu.
Oct. 12 – LatinoFest 2013
The fourth annual LatinoFest will pay tribute to the many contributions of the Hispanic community in the Athens area. Performers include Incatepec, Jorge Linan, Athens Tango Project, Tonali, Estrellitas, The Fact and others. LatinoFest 2013 will take place at the J and J Flea Market, 11661 Commerce Road. For more information, email incatepec@gmail.com or dignidadinmigrante@gmail.com.
Oct. 16 – Paisajes
Casa de Amistad will host Paisajes, a celebration of Latino culture, from 6-9 p.m. at the Taylor-Grady House, 634 Prince Ave. The event will include an art show, live music and more. All proceeds will assist Casa de Amistad as it provides free emergency, education and social services to the Athens community. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $25 for VIP admission. For tickets, contact Alex Borges at 706-206-2087 or e-mail info@athensamistad.org. For more information, see www.facebook.com/AthensAmistad or www.athensamistad.org.
Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 – Day of the Dead Altar Display
Pinewoods Library and Learning Center will exhibit a “Day of the Dead Altar Display.” The library is open from 1-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.
Oct. 16-28 – Latin American Film Festival 2013: Latin American Dance Performance Films
This year’s Latin American Film Festival in the Tate Student Center Theater will feature films that focus on dance performance in Latin America. The series of cultural films, with English subtitles, will include a discussion after each screening. The three Blue Card events are free and open to mature audiences.
Film festival sponsors are the Portuguese Flagship Program, Jane and Harry Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, departments of romance languages and theatre and film studies, LACSI, Institute for African American Studies and the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Screenings will begin at 6 p.m.
Oct. 16 – Danzón (1991)
The film, directed by María Novaro, will be followed by a discussion led by Diego del Pozo, a romance languages lecturer, and Susan Thomas, an associate professor of music and women’s studies.
Oct. 21 – “Bar, El Chino” (2003)
The film, directed by Daniel Burak, will be followed by a discussion led by Rielle Navitski, an assistant professor of theatre and film studies, and conclude with a tango party from 8-9 p.m.
Oct. 28 – “Noel: Poeta da Vila” (2006)
The film, translated “Noel: the Samba Poet,” was directed by Ricardo Van Steen. Discussion presenters are Richard Gordon, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute, and Leslie Feracho, an associate professor of romance languages and African-American studies. The film will be followed by a samba party from 8-9 p.m.