Local Organizations Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Westchester

This October, local organizations and groups in Westchester will observe Hispanic Heritage Month, a nationwide celebration of the histories, traditions, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Audiences of all ages will experience and embrace Hispanic culture through a diverse range of offerings, including live concerts, dance performances, hands-on workshops, films, children’s activities and more.

For instance, Mount Vernon Public Library will present a “Paint Fiesta” with artist Pamela Tucker on October 6, during which children ages 5-12 and their caregivers will create a painting hat will be displayed at the library. Greenburgh Public Library will join the celebration with diverse family-friendly events, including a concert by Argentinean guitarist Pedro Baez (October 7), a salsa dance workshop with Maestro Carlos Doñán of Latinshines (October 9) and a live reading by writer Xanath Caraza who will read selections in English and Spanish from her new book of poems (October 13). On October 12, Warner Library invites audiences to the RSHM Life Center for “Fiesta Flamenco,” a music and dance workshop with choreographer Rebeca Tomás and the Palo Seco Flamenco Company. On the same day, Purchase College Conservatory of Music will honor Hispanic heritage with a live screening of the Mexican 1936 film Redes, accompanied by The Purchase Symphony Orchestra, which will perform the film’s original score, and The Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra, which will play a set of music by acclaimed Latin American composers. A live concert series at Ossining Public Library will feature Dominican singer-songwriter and guitarist Ricardo Gautreau, who will perform songs from Latin countries (October 13), as well as Arts Latino NY Ensemble’s lively bilingual program of Latin American theater, dance and music (October 27). For more info, visit: mountvernonpubliclibrary.org; warnerlibrary.org; ossininglibrary.org; greenburghlibrary.org; purchase.edu/academics/music.

A version of this article first appeared in the October issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.