Turners Falls RiverCulture, the Pioneer Valley History Network (PVHN) and partner organizations announce Herencia Latina, a nine-month exploration of Latino history and culture in the Pioneer Valley, from September, 2015 to May, 2016. The expansive project includes fourteen film-and-discussion events, four exhibits, cultural programs and festivals in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Turners Falls. The centerpiece of the project is the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film series The Latino Americans, created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station.
On Third Thursday, September 17, Turners Falls RiverCulture will celebrate Latino History Day with traditional Central and South American music, food, and crafts followed by a scholar lead documentary at the Shea Theater.
Originally from Chile and Puerto Rico, Lorena Garay & Eugenio Huanca will perform a blend of traditional and original Latin American music on a wide variety of musical instruments. Their colorful performances engage audiences of all ages as they are introduced to irresistible instrumental and vocal music from the Andes, the Spanish Caribbean, South America, Spain and Mexico! See them at Spinner Park, Avenue A and 4th Street, at 6pm.
Kids can explore Mexican culture by decorating paper mache masks. Used in various traditional dances and ceremonies, masks have been was a well-established part of ritual life in Mexico for thousands of years. Make a jaguar or a coyote at 109 Avenue A from 4 to 8pm. Traditional beans and rice provided by Great Falls Harvest Restaurant will be served as well!
Professor Mari Castañeda of UMASS/Amherst will facilitate Episode VI: Peril and Promise, of the Latino Americans documentary at the Shea Theater, 7 pm. Professor Castañeda has a lengthy publication record in Latina/ethnic media studies and global communications, and an abiding interest in the ways in which engaged scholarship can address inequality by incorporating community voices.
For more info about Latino History Day visit www.turnersfallsriverculture.
For a full list of Herencia Latina programs visit herencialatina2015-16.org
Herencia Latina is funded by grants from the American Library Association, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Mass Humanities. Additional support by El Sol Latino, Nuestras Raices, and WGBY Public Television. Herencia Latina partners include The Pioneer Valley History Network, Casa Latina Northampton, Holyoke Community College, Latin American Students Association at H.C.C., Holyoke Public Library, Springfield Museums, Springfield Public Library, Turners Falls RiverCulture, and Wistariahurst Museum.
