Each year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States acknowledges the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans to our nation through Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to come together to celebrate the vast influences that Hispanic and Latinx Americans have had on many aspects of American life. Whether you're a member of the Hispanic and Latinx community or you simply have an interest in exploring new cultures, you're invited to join us at one the many events we have planned for the month.
Celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Tuesday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Quad
Join us on the quad and celebrate the beginning of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month together. Enjoy the music of Mariachi Toro and stop by the booth for information and to participate in some interactive activities. Grab some empanadas from the Empanada Maker Food Truck. The first 200 will receive two free empanadas. Voter registration information will also be available as a part of National Voter Registration Day.
La Loteria
Wednesday, September 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Quad
Compete with friends and win prizes by playing the Loteria. Lotería (Spanish word meaning "lottery") is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls.
Enjoy some pan dulce, or conchas, which is a beautiful Mexican sweet bread made with a crispy and delicious topping.
Movies Under the Stars: Flamin' Hot
Thursday, September 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Quad
Matinee showing at 12 p.m. in SSC 212
Bring your friends and family for an outdoor showing of Flamin' Hot. We will have some Flamin' Hot Cheetos, popcorn, drinks, and chairs available. Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets, chairs, and snacks.
Flamin' Hot is a 2023 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Eva Longoria in her feature-length directorial debut. Written by Linda Yvette Chávez and Lewis Colick, it is based on the memoir A Boy, a Burrito and a Cookie: From Janitor to Executive by Richard Montañez, and is the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez who, as a Frito Lay janitor, disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican heritage to turn Flamin' Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.
Virgil Ortiz Artist Lecture
Wednesday, October 4 from 12 to 1 p.m.
McKinney Theatre
Join us for an engaging artist lecture featuring Virgil Ortiz, this year's Artist-in-Residence at Saddleback College. Hailing from New Mexico, Ortiz is a Cochiti Pueblo potter and artist with deep roots in traditional Pueblo pottery. However, his work boldly ventures into new realms through narratives in Native/Indigenous Futurism.
The Saddleback College Art Gallery will serve as a hub for showcasing Ortiz's collaborations with students, visual storytelling, and as a space for discussions and discourse regarding the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. Reserve tickets for the Virgil Ortiz Artist Lecture through Eventbrite.
Las Magnificas Live Performance
Monday, October 9 from 12 to 1 p.m.
SSC 212
Join us for this live duo version of the show featuring actor Nadya Encarnacion accompanied by a pianist.
Las Magnificas explores the lives and times of three towering figures in Latin American Cultural history: iconic Mexican Ranchera singer Chavela Vargas, Cuban Singer Celia Cruz, “The Queen of Salsa”, and Chilean Singer Violeta Parra, the Mother of Latin American Folk Music. Music to include songs made famous by the artists: Tu Voz, Garcias a la Vida es un Carnaval, La Llorna and Volver a los 17, as well as instrumental music by Latin American Compsers: Ernesto Lecuona, Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Virtor Jara, and Tania Leon.
Movies Under the Stars: Encanto
Thursday, October 12 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Quad
Bring your friends and family for an outdoor showing of Disney's Encanto. We will have some popcorn, drinks, and chairs available, but you are welcome to bring your own blankets, chairs, and snacks.
Set in Colombia, Encanto is about the intergenerational Madrigal family, whose members each have been given a miraculous gift to use for the good of the community (uncanny strength, the ability to heal people with food), except for Mirabel, who is a kind and thoughtful but apparently average protagonist. Yet when the magical house in which they live starts to crack, the fate of the family is left to Mirabel.
Zoom Backgrounds
Another way to participate is to use one of our Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Zoom backgrounds. Zoom backgrounds can be found here.