National Hispanic Heritage Month starting in 1988 and the annual celebration of North America’s Latin continuum is a must for all nationalities. In fact, Philadelphia’s Hispanic Heritage Month — held Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 —is filled with parades, exhibitions, culinary treats, and events.
Here is Metro’s guide to the best of Hispanic Heritage Month in Philadelphia.
Siempre Salsa Philly’s Salsa & Bachata Dance Party
This city’s finest, live Latin music ensembles and DJs perform for bachateros and salseros – professional and novice – for Philly’s largest, free open-air dance party. Along with the revelry of talented salsa and bachata dancers displaying their wares, comers of all ages can learn to dance like a seasoned salsa veteran.
Fridays, now through Sept. 27, at 7 p.m.; LOVE Park, 1569 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia Museum of Art events with Cindy Lozito and Dan Suro
South Philadelphia’s Cindy Lozito started her career in her native Queens, New York, as a cartoonist, illustrator and muralist whose stylized lines touch on personal memory and identity along with a need to create and maintain community. In connection with the PMoA, Lozito creates and/or takes part in many events including a pop-up studio where would-be artists can make their own handkerchiefs dedicated to the idea of home (all materials provided), as well as take part in the Great Stair Hall celebration with a giveaway of her specially designed, limited-edition bandanas.
Also at the PMA, is Philadelphia Latin cuisine giant Dan Suro (co-owner of Tequilas) will debut his new Guadalajaran cocktail menu in collaboration with Danny Childs, author of Slow Drinks. The duo will mix and pour Guadalajaran-inspired ferments and agave spirits in the Great Hall.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, philamuseum.org
Voces Múltiples at Temple University
For Hispanic Heritage Month, Temple’s Boyer School of Music and Dance gets loose and loud during Sept. 25’s Beyond the Notes program of students jamming on cuts from Cuba, Spain and Mexico. Then, on Oct. 15, Mexican rapper and reggaeton artist Jesus Pat Chable – better known as Maya-language hero Pat Boy — brings his groove to Temple’s campus stages, followed by an in-conversation event.
1801 N. Broad Street, temple.edu
Latinos Educando Juntos: Hispanic Literacy Festival & Community Baby Shower
The Latinos Educando Juntos: Hispanic Literacy Festival & Community Baby Shower is an interactive festival event for kids and parents alike hosted by children’s book authors reading and giving away their wares. There will also be a free baby gear giveaways and a multitude of food trucks. Along with Latinx children’s book authors, Ada Ortiz, (‘Gabby’s Adventure’) and Alejandra Rivas-Mintz (‘Arepas for Breakfast’), look for Baby Shower visitors State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and City Councilmember Mark Squilla in case you want to discuss the upcoming election.
Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Southwark Elementary School schoolyard, 1835 S. 9th Street, latinoseducandojuntos.org
Dine Latino Restaurant Week and the Dine Latino Chef’s Tasting event
Philadelphia is certainly known for its world class dining spots and bold chefs, and with such a diverse array of hot spots, especially the varied flavors within the Latin communities to consider, why not enjoy the breadth of Dine Latino Week’s deals? From South Philly’s recently re-configured Plaza Garibaldi to Ambler’s Peruvian king Geronimo’s to West Philly’s Jezebel’s and its Argentinian offerings, there is something for everyone.
As for the annual Dine Latino Chef’s Tasting event, Nicole Marquis and her vegan crews from Bar Bombon, HipCityVeg and Charlie Was a Sinner promise a wealth of good tastes at La Cucina at the Market, 1206 Arch Street on Sept. 19.
Dine Latino Week: philahispanicchamber.org/
Ghosted with host Che Guerrero at World Café Live
We know that this month’s First Person Arts’ Story Slam is dedicated to all things spooky and Halloween-like. But host Cher Guerrero is one of this city’s finest comedians, as well as being one of its dedicatedly bilingual masters of the spoken word.
Oct. 8, World Cafe Live, worldcafelive.org
Pasion y Arte’s Hacia la Luz at Rittenhouse Filmworks
Pasion y Arte, Overbrook Avenue’s all-women, contemporary flamenco company has been telling women’s stories through dance for over 20 years. Now, Pasion y Arte’s newest work, ‘Hacia la Luz’, focuses on founder Elba Hevia y Vaca’s own deeply personal story of healing, her life in Bolivia and her Andean indigenous roots.
Sept. 27-29, Rittenhouse Filmworks, 219 W. Rittenhouse Street, rittenhousefilmworks.
Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The name says it all — a proud community celebrating its traditions with great song, dance, floats and fine food all day and all night.
Sept. 29, noon to 6 p.m.; elconcilio.net/event/annual-puerto-rican-day-parade
Latin American Book Fair at Taller Puertorriqueño
North Philly’s Taller Puertorriqueño has forever been one of this city’s most important Latin continuum cultural and social hubs, and welcoming back the Latin American Book Fair for bilingual writers, illustrators and readers is a must. Along with book readings in both Spanish and English, expect interactive workshops, children’s activities and more.
Oct. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2600 N. 5th Street, latinbookfair.com
