Pasadena Celebrates Latino Heritage With A Month of Connection and Festivity

PASADENA, Calif.- The City of Pasadena celebrates National Latino Heritage Month with free events, crafts, storytimes, book discussions, and activities for all ages, honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Latino Heritage Month, or Hispanic Heritage Month, runs from September 15 to October 15 in the United States. It honors the rich heritage, history, and contributions of Latinos/Hispanics. September 15 marks independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their Independence Days in September. This month highlights the impact of Latinos/Hispanics throughout U.S. society, including the arts, politics, education, and the economy.

Celebrating Latino Heritage Month reaffirms Pasadena's commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city and honoring the diversity of its community. Pasadena has dedicated itself to hosting diverse events citywide to celebrate Latino culture and heritage.

For a complete list of programs relating to Latino Heritage Month, including free events, crafts, story times, book discussions, and many other activities for all ages, please visit CityOfPasadena.net/Library or CityOfPasadena.net/Parks-And-Rec.

Festival

For all ages

Latino Heritage Festival

Saturday, October 11 • 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. • Pasadena City Hall, 100 Garfield Ave.

Join local schools, community groups, elected officials, dignitaries, neighbors and friends at the 27th Annual Latino Heritage Festival in front of Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. This event is sponsored by the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Latino Heritage Committee.

Programs and Events

For all ages unless specified.

Library programming is sponsored by The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library.

Mini Terra Cotta Pot Painting
Monday, Sept. 15 • 3 p.m. • San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.
Grab your brushes, unleash your imagination, and let every stroke tell a story that celebrates the vibrant essence of your culture! For ages 5-12.

Fiestas Patrias
Friday, September 19 • 5 - 9 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center 363 E. Villa St.
Let's celebrate the independence of 18 Latin American countries in a grand fashion! This family-friendly event highlights the colors, richness, and warmth of Latin American culture. Enjoy live music and traditional dances performed by local community groups.

Movie Night (Elio)
Friday, September 26 • 7 p.m. • Madison Elementary School, 515 E. Ashtabula St.
Join us for a free family screening of Disney and Pixar's Elio-the story of a clever 11-year-old who's mistaken for Earth's ambassador by aliens! It's a heartwarming adventure full of laughs and cosmic charm. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and favorite snacks. Free popcorn will be provided.

Hispanic "Fusion Architecture" Has Shaped Pasadena
Saturday, Sept. 27 • 3 p.m. • Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.
Join presenter Dave Nufer as he traces the evolution of Hispanic "Fusion" architecture in Pasadena. Hispanic Fusion architecture refers to combing elements from several cultures, fusing a mix of Moorish, Italian Renaissance and Spanish Baroque. This quickly became the most common building style in Pasadena during the 1920s and 1930s, with a continued evolution over the last century into what is known as "Neo Hispanic Fusion" style, today's dominant apartment and condominium building style in Pasadena. Nufer is a docent and program developer for Pasadena Heritage and LA Conservancy and board member of Pasadena Heritage. For ages 18+.

Pan Dulce "Concha" Workshop
Saturday, October 4 • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Conchas are a traditional sweet bread made of a fluffy, buttery, brioche-like soft dough, flavored with cinnamon and topped with a sugar paste that resembles a seashell. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of making these delicious treats and have the opportunity to take home and share their creations with family and friends. All supplies will be provided. Preregistration required. Register in person at Villa Parke Community Center.

Ven a Celebrar!!! Come to celebrate, Latino Heritage Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 4 • 3 - 4 p.m. • Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St.
Get ready to move your feet and feel the rhythm! Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of high-energy Afro-Cuban Latin salsa with Changüí Majadero, one of the most exciting bands on the scene. ¡Ven a gozar!

Sacred Hands: Flower making cempasuchil (Mexican marigold) & Storytelling
Sunday, Oct. 5 • 2 - 4 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
Everything handmade is sacred. When we create, we infuse the essence of our ancestors and ourselves into our handiwork. Join us as we make flowers for our own ofrendas or home altars or the library's community ofrenda and share our personal stories.

INCA, the Peruvian Ensemble
Wednesday, Oct. 8 • 4:30 p.m. • La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
Experience Peru's amazing and diverse musical heritage! Listen to the music of the native Incas (Andean style), the Hispanic communities of the coastal areas (Criollo style) and the Black people from the villages south of Lima (Afro-Peruvian style). Featuring woodwinds, strings, percussion and vocals instrumentation unique to these areas.

Cómo preservar su memoria (Espanol)
Viernes 10 de octubre • 4 p.m. • La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
A medida que envejecemos, todos tenemos momentos de olvido. Esta presentación dará consejos útiles y ejercicios cerebrales para agudizar su pensamiento y ayudar a mantener al mínimo los momentos de olvido. Regístrese en CityofPasadena.net/library/calendar. Presentado por el Departamento de Salud Mental del Condado de Lolos Ángeles. Para mayores de 50 años.

Paint and Aguas Frescas
Saturday, October 11 • Noon - 2 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Join us for Paint and Aguas Frescas! Participants will have the opportunity to create their very own painting while enjoying a tasty cantarito of agua fresca! All supplies will be provided. Preregistration required. Register in person at Villa Parke Community Center.

Community Ofrendas

Sunday, Oct. 12 - Sunday, Nov. 2 • Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.

Monday, Oct. 20 - Monday, Nov. 3 • Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.

Thursday, Oct. 30 - Thursday, Nov. 6 • La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
Come place your photos, messages, or other family mementos on our community ofrendas (altars).

The Soldaderas, Powerful Women of the Mexican Revolution
Saturday, Oct. 18 • 3 p.m. • Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.
Dr. Gloria Arjona sheds light on the untold stories of the soldaderas-fearless women who defied social norms to participate in the Mexican Revolution as soldiers, spies, nurses, and strategists. Blending historical photographs, storytelling, and traditional corridos (Revolutionary ballads), Dr. Arjona revives the legacy of iconic figures omitted from mainstream narratives. For ages 13+.

Dia De Los Muertos
Friday, October 24 • 5 - 9 p.m. • Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.
Join friends and neighbors at Villa Parke Community Center to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Commemorate the centuries-old holiday with dance performances, arts and crafts, food available for purchase and "ofrendas," altars honoring the lives of the deceased.

Crafts

Take and Make: Nicho
Tuesday, Oct. 16 • Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. • While supplies last
Create your own Nicho. Nichos (display boxes) can be created as shrines to important people or loved ones or used for protection or devotion. Nicho boxes are typically seen during Dia de los Muertos celebrations to honor beloved family members, ancestors, people or objects in popular culture. Reserve a Nicho kit at CityOfPasadena.Libwizard.com/F/Nichos. Sign-ups begin on October 16. Kits can be picked up at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. For ages 4+.

Dia De Muertos Marigold Craft
Saturday, Oct. 18 • 2 p.m. • Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.
Explore the meaning behind Dia De Los Muertos and the symbolism of marigold flowers to the holiday. Then craft your own paper marigolds. Leave them to decorate the community ofrenda or take them home to adorn your own! For ages 18+.