September is a special month for me. Not only is it my birthday month but it is also Latino Heritage Month! It is the perfect time to teach my daughter all about our rich culture. She may be a little young to understand fully all of the cultural experiences that I will expose her to this month, but I’m a firm believer that every little bit counts. In September, we also celebrate Mexican Independence Day on the 16th. Every year for the past 67 years, East L.A has hosted a several mile-long parade filled with local Latino celebrities that bring crowds from near and far. It is my family’s tradition to introduce all new generations to this parade. In all my life, I’m yet to miss one.
I’ve collected information on 29 FREE Latino inspired events for the whole family to attend and learn from, have fun at and be inspired by.
Espero verlos!
Sat 9/5 5 pm Latin Sounds at LACMA LACMA’s hugely popular outdoor series closes the season with a Latin jam in memory of the late great Johnny Polanco, featuring Artie Webb. Amphitheater, LA County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire, Miracle Mile sundayslive.org
Sat 9/5 7 pm Latin Music in Lake Los Angeles The LA County Arts Commission presents live music from Cuñao, a Latin folk band rooted in the Nueva Cancion style but with a flair for world sounds. Sorensen Park, 16801 N 121st St, Lake Los Angeles http://lacountyarts.org
Fri 9/11 2:30 pm Screening of “Spare Parts.” at the Pico Union Library Pico Union Branch of LAPL, 1030 S Alvarado St, LA lapl.org
Fri 9/11 8 pm El Vez in MacArthur Park Levitt Pavilion presents the fabulous modern multicultural hybrid of Americana & Mexicano, a post-modern King with a Latin twist. Pre-show activities from 6:30 pm. MacArthur Park, Wilshire & S. Park View St, Mid-Wilshire levittla.org
Sat 9/12 and Sun 9/13 10 am – 10 pm Fiesta on Olvera Stree Celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain with entertainment on 2 stages, cultural activities, carnival rides, historic displays, food, artisan exhibits, & more. Olvera Street, 845 N Alameda, Downtown LA http://elpueblo.lacity.org
Sat 9/12 1 pm Latino Film at the Huntington Park Library “Mariachi High” presents a year in the life of the champion mariachi ensemble at Zapata High School on the Rio Grande in South Texas. Library, 6518 Miles Ave, Huntington Park colapublib.org
Sat 9/12 8 pm Quetzal in Pasadena The Grammy-winning Chicano rock band from East LA plays a mix of Mexican & Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, R&B, & rock music with a message. Pre-show activities from 6:30 pm. Levitt Pavilion, 85 E Holly St, Pasadena levittpavilionpasadena.org
Sat 9/12 8 pm B-Side Players in MacArthur Park Levitt Pavilion presents the venerable 9-piece global funk band, blending genres to fashion their own forward looking, Latin flavored soul music. Pre-show activities from 6:30 pm. MacArthur Park, Wilshire & S. Park View St, Mid-Wilshire levitt.org Saturday, September 13th Parade in East LA The 68th Annual East LA Mexican Independence Day Parade features bands, dancers, floats, & more, celebrating the past & fighting today’s immigration battles. All-day fiesta at the end zone. Mon 9/14 6:30 pm Textiles at the Pico Library Artist Miriam Quezada looks at traditional Mexican garments in “History & Art of the Classic Rebozo.” Pico Branch of SMPL, 2201 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica smpl.org
Tue 9/15 8 pm Poncho Sanchez at Whittier College The Inside Latin Jazz series presents the great Mexican-American conguero, Latin jazz band leader, & salsa singer. Shannon Center, Whittier College, 6760 Painter Ave, Whittier whittier.edu
Wed 9/16 6:30 pm Mexican Dance at the La Puente Library Fiesta in Mexico – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music & dance featuring Alina Melendez. Sunkist Library, 840 N Puente Ave, La Puente colapublib.org
Thu 9/17 5 pm Movie at the Pacoima Library Screening of the Mexican movie “Sangre de Mi Sangre,” in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Pacoima Branch of LAPL, 13605 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima lapl.org
Thu 9/17 8 pm Eclectic Music in MacArthur Park Levitt Pavilion presents Latin-influenced ska & punk music from South Gate’s La Resistencia. Pre-show activities from 6:30 pm. MacArthur Park, Wilshire & S. Park View St, Mid-Wilshire levittla.org
Fri 9/18 6:30 pm Latin Music at Whittier Narrows The LA County Arts Commission presents live music from Orquesta Charangoa. Whittier Narrows Rec Area, 750 Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte http://lacountyarts.org
Fri 9/18 8-10PM Union Station Concert Metro Arts: Music from Flamenco Guitarist Magia Negra Ticketing Hall, Union Station in Downtown L.A
Fri 9/18 8 pm Latin Music in MacArthur Park Levitt Pavilion presents Sinverguenza Music, with percussionist Ramon Yslas & guitarist Tariqh Akoni. Pre-show activities from 6:30 pm. MacArthur Park, Wilshire & S. Park View St, Mid-Wilshire levittla.orgmetro.net/about/art
Sat 9/19 2 pm Boxing at the Wilmington Library Gene Aguilera presents his book “Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles,” along with some special guests from the world of boxing in LA. Wilmington Branch of LAPL, 1300 N Avalon Blvd lapl.org
Sat 9/19 3 pm Movie at the Arroyo Seco Library Screening of the film “Bless Me, Ultima.” Arroyo Seco Branch of LAPL, 6145 N Figueroa St, Highland Park
Sat 9/19 8 pm Los Lobos in MacArthur Park Levitt Pavilion ends the season with the great, great Chicano rock band from East LA, whose music blends rock & roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, & traditional Latin styles. Pre-show activities from 6:30 pm. MacArthur Park, Wilshire & S. Park View St, Mid-Wilshire lapl.org
Mon 9/21 6 pm Textiles at the East LA Library Artist Miriam Quezada looks at traditional Mexican garments in “History & Art of the Classic Rebozo.” Library, 4837 E 3rd St, East LA colapublib.org
Wed 9/23 6:30 pm Hollywood at the Pico Library A bilingual presentation on the Latino legacy in Hollywood. Pico Branch of SMPL, 2201 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica smpl.org
Wed 9/23 6:30 pm Writer at the East LA Library Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin, who grew up in East LA, reads from her book, “Mi Amor.” Library, 4837 E 3rd St, East LA colapublib.org
Thu 9/24 4 pm Movie at the Echo Park Library Screening of the documentary “Calle 54,” featuring interviews & performances with Latin jazz greats. Echo Park Branch of LAPL, 1410 W Temple St, LA lapl.org
Sat 9/26 1 pm Latino Film at the Huntington Park Library “Brown is the New Green” explores how George Lopez normalizes the image of Latinos in this country through entertainment. Library, 6518 Miles Ave, Huntington Park colapublib
Mon 9/28 7:30 pm Documentary at the Hammer The UCLA Film Archive screens Villaseñor’s close-up view of Las Patronas, “Llévate Mis Amores” (All of Me – Mexico, 2014). UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire, Westwood cinema.ucla.edu
Mon 9/28 6:30 pm Latino Film at the Sorensen Library Screening of “Chicano Rock!: The Sounds of East Los Angeles.” Sorensen Library, 6934 Broadway Ave, Whittier colapublib.org
