Smithsonian Offers Free Family Day for Hispanic Heritage Month

The Smithsonian Latino Center and the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies present “The Sounds of American Sabor Family Celebration” Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m in the Ripley Center’s International Gallery and Haupt Gardens, adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall, and in the Castle Commons. The daylong celebration is being held in conjunction with the exhibit “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music” currently on view in the Smithsonian International Gallery through Oct. 9.

This bilingual family celebration includes musical performances throughout the day, a children’s sing-along, instrument making, drumming, creative writing, Latin dance classes, a scavenger hunt, a community art project and much more. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in educational activities in multiple venues during the afternoon and work directly with artists and musicians.

This family day event is part of the Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated every year throughout the United States from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. “We are very excited to offer this day of free activities and programs for our community and visitors to D.C.,” said Eduardo Díaz, director of the Smithsonian Latino Center. “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to remember the important contributions made by Latinos in the arts and beyond. It is also wonderful that the exhibit American Sabor is on view highlighting the achievements of Latino musicians in the United States.”

Highlights of the family celebration include:

• Outdoor music stage featuring Latin beats with Luis Garay, the sounds of the Verny Varela Orchestra and musical stylings with DJ Bruno
• Tot Zone with children’s sing-a-long and book signing with presenter José Luis Orozco and hands-on art area
• Percussion workshop featuring instrument making, the science of sound presentation and a drumming class with artist and educator Kofi Dennis
• Community art wall and hip-hop street art
• Handmade storybook making and video project with book artist Sushmita Mazumdar and the Hirshorn’s ARTLAB+ teens
• All-ages dance workshop with local instructor Eileen Torres featuring cha-cha-cha, salsa and merengue
• Afternoon conversation with Diosa Costello: “A Latina Trailblazer on Broadway”

This family day program is made possible through the support of Univison Communications Inc. and Ford Motor Company Fund.

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