Hispanic pride
A month of events celebrates this growing community.
September doesn't just begin the fall or the school year. It's also known for the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began Tuesday and runs through Oct. 15.
The start of the commemoration coincides with the Sept. 15 anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile mark their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18.
Philadelphia has long celebrated its Latino pride - the annual Regional Puerto Rican Day Parade turns 47 this year.
"Hispanic history month is important all over, but Philadelphia has a significant and growing Hispanic and Latino community that values and is proud of its cultural heritage," says Carmen Febo-San Miguel, executive director of Taller Puertorriqueño, a culture center in Kensington. It is the group behind the festival Feria del Barrio.
"This is an opportunity to concentrate events that highlight our cultural activity and expression and production here in Philadelphia, and it's very near our hearts," Febo-San Miguel added.
Here's where you can go and what you can do to join in.
Sesame Place is hosting a stage show on Saturday and Sunday - Rosita's Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Sonia Manzano, who has played Maria on the Sesame Street TV show since 1973, will help Rosita, a Spanish-speaking Muppet, and other Sesame Street characters as they learn Spanish words. Sesame Place will offer a Hispanic Heritage Vendor Fair all weekend.
Feria del Barrio is one of the city's largest celebrations of Latino music and culture, and this year it will be Sunday. This 26th anniversary event focuses on the arts, education, and community. Foto Rodriguez y La Orquesta la Unica will provide salsa music, and Zion y Lennox will add reggaeton, which is a blend of reggae, dance hall, and Latin music. The festival will offer Hispanic foods, artists, vendors, and free blood pressure screenings.
It's a party on Sept. 27 for the 47th annual Regional Puerto Rican Day Parade, the city's oldest and largest outdoor event celebrating Puerto Rican and Latino heritage in Philadelphia. The parade will start at noon near 16th Street and JFK Boulevard, head north along 16th to the Ben Franklin Parkway, and end at Eakins Oval.
Now through Oct. 15, the National Liberty Museum is offering a self-guided tour of exhibits for Hispanic Heritage Month, called the Hispanic and Latino Heroes and History tour. A few of the highlighted heroes are Hall of Fame baseball player Roberto Clemente, Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú, civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, and Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street.
Through Jan. 31, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is showcasing "Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya" - about two dozen recently conserved Mayan painted vessels, plus more than 100 other Mayan objects dating back more than 1,000 years. The exhibit shows what life was like for the Maya 1,300 years ago.
Looking to extend the party past Oct. 15? The Philadelphia Museum of Art is turning its weekly Art After Five event, when the museum remains open until 8:45 p.m. Fridays, into a Day of the Dead Dance Party on Oct. 30 with the Brooklyn-based band Cumbiagra, which plays Latin music. Performances are from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
If You Go
"Rosita's Hispanic Heritage Celebration," 12:15, 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sesame Place. Show is free with admission pass, which is $50.95 for adults and children older than 23 months. Infants admitted free. 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne. 866-454-3566, www.sesameplace.com.
National Liberty Museum. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at 321 Chestnut St. Admission: $7, $6 seniors, $5 students, $2 for children 5 to 17 with an adult; children under 5 free; $15 family admission for two adults and all their children. 215-925-2800, www.libertymuseum.org.
Feria del Barrio, 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday, 2721 N. Fifth St., 215-426-3311, tallerpr.org. Free.
Puerto Rican Day Parade, free beginning at noon Sept. 27 near 16th Street and JFK Blvd. 215-627-3100, www.elconcilio.net.
"Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya," now through Jan. 31 at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission: $10, $7 seniors, $6 children 6 to 17 and full-time students; children younger than 5 are free. 215-898-4001, www.museum.upenn.edu.
Day of the Dead Dance Party, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Oct. 30, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway. Free with museum admission, $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $12 for students and children 13 to 18; free for children 12 and yonger. 215-763-8100, www.philamuseum.org.
- Jen A. Miller
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