16 ways to mark Hispanic Heritage Month in NYC

School of Dance students at A La Calle Block Party 2019. Photo by Billy Pennant

Observed from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the rich, diverse culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States. New York City has one of the most thriving Hispanic communities in the world, making up more than a quarter of its population. Ahead, learn about 16 events in the five boroughs that celebrate Hispanic heritage, from the Hispanic Day Parade to the Latinx Cultural Carnival.

At the Road Block Party
October 2 from 12:00 to 16:00
Hosted by Balet Hispánico, A La Calle Block Party is a celebration of dance, art, music, food and Latin culture. The block party will take place on West 89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues, outside the headquarters of Ballet Hispánico on the Upper West Side. The event will feature live music, live dancing and food from a variety of local vendors. Guest artists include Flamenco Vivo, Bombazo Dance Company and Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.

Hispanic Day Parade
Fifth Avenue
October 9
After being canceled for the past two years due to the pandemic, the Hispanic Day Parade is returning to the streets of NYC for its 56th year. 21 countries participate in the parade, sharing their music, folklore and traditions with spectators. This year’s event will take place along Fifth Avenue from 44th to 77th Street.

New York Latin Film Festival
September 12 to 18
Founded in 1999, the New York Latino Film Festival is the premier Latino film event in the United States. The festival draws attention to Latinx cinema, supports the film community and builds an audience through culturally relevant and entertaining performances. This year’s festival will take place at the Regal Union Square Theater at 850 Broadway and the Julia De Burgos Performing Arts Center at 1680 Lexington Avenue. Single admission tickets are $16, while tickets for the first show of the day are $12. Those looking for the VIP experience can purchase a $25 all-inclusive ticket with free drinks, appetizers, an exclusive show, lounge access and photo opportunities. More information and ticket options can be found here.

Carnival of Latinx Culture
September 18
For more than 15 years, Carnaval De La Cultura Latina has been held during the first week of Hispanic Heritage Month on Junction Boulevard in Corona, Queens. The carnival offers a wide variety of vendors offering arts and crafts, music, food and other items. There are lots of activities for children, including inflatable rides, games, face painting and giveaways. The event will be family-focused and dedicated to the health and well-being of the Latinx community.

Arsenal Gallery: Flowers of my country
September 15 to November 10
Presented by NYC Park’s Latino Society, The flowers of my country is an art exhibit featuring work that interprets Latino culture with images of native flora. The exhibition includes the work of more than 20 artists who use nature as inspiration, symbols and a tool to create their designs. A virtual exhibition and discussion will be organized on September 27 at 18:00. You can reply here.

Image courtesy of the New York Yankees

Celebrate Hispanic heritage at Yankee Stadium
Join the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. For select games in their 2022 season, the Yankees are offering fans who purchase tickets through this offer an exclusive NY Yankees hat emblazoned with the flag of a Hispanic country. Flag options include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Each ticket also includes a regular-sized hot dog and a drink.

Afro-Latinidad: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
928 Simpson Street, Bronx
October 1 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m
Presented by Casita Maria, Afro-Latinidad is a musical celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Hosted at the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education in the Bronx, the event will include live performances by Cuban artist Melvis Santa, Honduran artist Aurelio Martinez, Colombian artist Grupo Rebulo, and Venezuelan and New York artists Jeickov Vital and Kavita Shah. The event is free and tickets can be purchased here.

Loisaida’s kitchen
88 Essex Street, Manhattan
September 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by learning to cook Puerto Rico’s national dish, Arroz con Gandules. Other dishes include Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. Presented by the Loisaida Center and Essex Market, classes last approximately one and a half hours and include time at the end to enjoy the delicious treats you’ve made. Classes will be held at Essex Kitchen which is located on the mezzanine level of Essex Market at 88 Essex Street. Tickets can be purchased here.

New York Public Library
September 15 to October 15
The NYPL is hosting a number of events during Hispanic Heritage Month. On September 20, the NYPL hosts Latinx Voices in Poetry, featuring an “all-star” panel of Latinx poets. Co-hosted with Latinx in Publishing, the panel includes Rio Cortez, Darrel Alejandro Holnes, Gabriel Ojeda-Sagué and Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

The NYPL will also present archival materials and artifacts highlighting Hispanic, Latino, and Afro-Latino history and culture from around the world. The library system has also released a new list of reading recommendations for all ages by Latin American authors.

Image courtesy of Latinos Run

Latinos Lead Virtual Hispanic Heritage 5K Run
September 15 to October 17
Latinos Run is hosting a special virtual 5K event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. After registering for the event, participants can complete the run in their own time between September 15 and October 17. The run can be completed on a treadmill, on the road, on a trail, or on a track. Those who finish the run will win a collective medal which will be presented to them.

Dominican Republic Film Festival 2022
September 21 to 26
The Dominican Republic Film Festival is returning for its 11th year, showcasing a selection of films made in the Dominican Republic and from the Dominican diaspora. The festival will be held in Washington Heights. More information can be found here.

Hispanic Society Museum and Library
Broadway between 155th and 156th Streets, Manhattan
Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00 until October 16
The Hispanic Society Museum and Library has a new exhibit featuring watercolor paintings done by American artists in Spain, Portugal and Latin America. The exhibit features work by Timothy J. Clark, an influential artist who captured the beauty of Latin America through his watercolor paintings. Admission is free, but RSVP is required.

Eddie Palmieri at the Lehman Center
250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx
September 17 at 8:00 p.m
Eddie Palmieri, the world-renowned Puerto Rican salsa and Latin jazz musician, is performing at the Lehman Center in the Bronx. The 85-year-old musician is a 10-time Grammy Award winner and still going strong, wowing audiences with his musicianship.

Dancers from Mazarte Dance Company, image courtesy of Ray Hamlin Photography

NY Arts Agave Festival
355 Bowery, Manhattan
September 16 from 18:00 to 22:00
Hosted at the Bowery Hotel, the NY Arte Agave Festival is a celebration of fine agave spirits, art and entertainment. There will be over 100 varieties of agave spirits to try and an opportunity to learn the art of agave cocktail making. There will also be a chance to win a bottle of tequila. Local food vendors will be selling traditional foods including street style tacos, corn, rice and beans and much more. Ticket prices start at $92.23.

Daddy Yankee at Madison Square Garden
4 Penn Plaza, Manhattan
September 20 at 8:00 p.m
Daddy Yankee, known for elevating the reggaeton genre to international dominance with his hits “Gasolina” and “Despacito,” is performing at NYC’s Madison Square Garden on September 20. The Puerto Rican musician, also known as “El Cangri,” is stopping at legendary arenas on his La Ultima Vuelta world tour. Tickets can be purchased here.

Panama Day Parade
President Street and Classon Avenue, Brooklyn
October 8 at 12:00
The Panama Day Parade is returning for its 27th year, celebrating many leaders, educators, artists and celebrities from Panama. The Panama Parade will also participate in the Hispanic Day Parade on the 9th. The parade is the largest held outside of Panama.

The first Gala Concert of the Royal Theater of Madrid in New York City
57th Street and Seventh Avenue, Manhattan
September 15 at 8:30 p.m
The Royal Theater of Madrid is making its Carnegie Hall debut during Hispanic Heritage Month. The group was just named Best Opera Company of 2021 by the International Opera Awards. Their performance will celebrate the influence of Spanish music and the 40th anniversary of the sister city agreement between NYC and Madrid. Tickets can be purchased here.

CONNECTED:

Label:
Hispanic Heritage Month, Latin American

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *