Celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Keep reading to get a look at some of the events happening around West Michigan to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
¡Presente Y Adelante! A Time to Celebrate, Remember and Amplify Our Latinx Voices
September 15 | Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center | Grand Valley State University
Keynote speaker Martha Villegas Miranda (ella/she/her) will be honoring the life and legacies of Latinx civil right leaders, discuss the rich history and vibrant culture of our comunidad, and close with an engaging call to action, un grito to start off the Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Grand Valley State University.
Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
September 16 | Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium | Grand Haven
The Hispanic Heritage Fiesta will highlight Latin American cultures in all their rich variety and pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society—particularly the Tri-Cities area! The Fiesta includes a Parade of Flags, live music, dance performances, children and youth activities and more.
Disney's 'Encanto': The Sing Along Film Concert
September 25 | DeVos Performance Hall | Grand Rapids
Produced by AMP Worldwide, "Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert" will include all the music of the Academy Award®-winning film, including iconic hits like "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "Surface Pressure" performed by live musicians. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as Mirabel, Luisa, Isabela, or any of their favorite characters from the film and to use their voices to transform each venue into one big celebration of the Madrigal family.
'First Voice Generation' Documentary Screening
October 4 | Knickerbocker Theatre | Holland
First Voice Generation follows the stories of three Latinx high school students in Holland, Michigan, during an unprecedented global pandemic year. Each student struggles with their identity growing up in a historically Dutch community, feeling they don't belong because they are a child of Mexican immigrants. They each dream of being the first in their family to go college, but a year of challenges ensue with virtual learning, and the cost of affording college seeming impossible.
Grand Rapids Public Library
Multiple Events and Locations
Join Grand Rapids Public Library for a number of events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, including Hispanic Heritage Month Storytimes and an author talk with celebrated author Reyna Grande, whose works include memoirs The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home, and the novels Across a Hundred Mountains, Dancing With Butterflies and A Ballad of Love and Glory.
Courtesy of West Michigan Woman.
