By: Ashmar Mandou
As we are in the middle of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, there are several ways to acknowledge and appreciate the talent, contributions, and history of the Latino community. From embracing storytelling at the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival and Goodman Theatre to learning the rich history of the Latino community with the help of the National Museum of Mexican Art and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. To help you make the most of Hispanic Heritage Month, we have listed a few of our recommendations for you to enjoy.
• Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival: Get ready for a theatrical, cultural experience at Destinos. From Sept. 28 to Nov. 12, this city-wide event will showcase the talent of Latino theater artists and companies from Chicago, the U.S., and Latin America. Immerse yourself in vibrant stories and perspectives that celebrate the richness of Latino theater.
• Latinx Heritage Month at the Field Museum: Through October 15, guests can embark on a cultural journey of Latin America through music, dance, and performances from Ballet Folklorico and La Escuelita Bombera de Corazon. Additional activities include bilingual storytime, exhibitions, and stories that showcase Latinx contributions from Chicago to the Amazon rainforest.
• Lucha Teotl at the Goodman Theatre: Step into the captivating world of Lucha Teotl, where pro-wrestling takes the stage starting Sept. 29 – Oct. 29. This 90-minute bilingual production promises a night of unforgettable theater that dives into the rich heritage of Lucha Libre through a tale about family, honor, tradition, and redemption.
• Hispanic Heritage Night with the White Sox: The Chicago White Sox hosts Hispanic Heritage Night at the ballpark every year. Fans can enjoy Latino music, performances, and food. This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, Sept. 30. The first 10,000 fans will receive a bobblehead paying tribute to a Day of the Dead cultural icon, La Catrina.
• Visit The National Museum of Mexican Art, where you can immerse yourself in the richness of Mexican art and culture in Chicago.
Pilsen Arts and Community House: This non-profit art gallery and community center in Pilsen provides art workshops, exhibits, film screenings, book clubs, panel discussions, music performances, and more to help the community engage with the arts across mediums.
• The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is hosting a pop-up exhibit titled Resistencia y Libertá that celebrates the community expression of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba music through fashion.
• The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage encourages and promotes Mexican heritage through cultural, ethnic and civic activities designed to educate the City of West Chicago’s Mexican community and the community at large.
• The first itinerary, “Immersed in Hispanic Cultural Heritage,” showcases various ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Chicago and Rockford over three days, covering 89 miles of travel.
• The second itinerary, “Community Treasures with a Latino Flavor,” offers ways to celebrate Latin food, culture, and local businesses in Peoria and the Quad Cities over three days, covering 104 miles of travel.
