September 15th through October 15th
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated between September and October. Starting on September 15, five Latin countries celebrate their independence: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; Mexico does it on the 16th, and Chile on the 18th. The Denver Public Library will be hosting some memorable programs and events that highlight the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic communities in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Many of our events are curated for children and families. There will be a mix of events with various levels of language representation and alternate participation options like picking up craft kits to do at home.
In-person events will not only highlight certain library branches, but also places like the Latino owned Raíces Brewing Co. and the historic Teatro Aztlan.
We’re also really excited to announce our award recipients for the Denver Public Library Latino Community Services Awards. These awards honor and highlight Hispanic individuals who have made significant contributions to our local community.
Book Lists
Events
Children and Families | Adults | Older Adults | All Ages
Children and Families
Kid's Yoga in Spanish / Yoga para niños
Wednesday, September 28, 10:30-11 a.m., Montbello
Let's do yoga! Join us for breathing, stretching, singing and movement. For kids ages 2-6 and their grownups. Mats Provided; You're also welcome to bring your own. This program is presented in Spanish.
Papel Picado/Paper Flowers workshop with CHAC (Chicano Humanities & Arts Council)
Saturday, September 24, 1-2 p.m., Green Valley Ranch
Saturday, October 8, 12-1 p.m., Valdez-Perry
Saturday, October 15, 1-2 p.m., Smiley
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council in this workshop where you will make art with tissue paper as you learn about the history and meaning of these pieces in Hispanic culture.
La Llorona Stories
Saturday, October 8, 2-4 p.m., Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales
Join us for a family-friendly fun-filled festival of interactive storytelling about legendary Latino ghost La Llorona. Explore the myths and facts surrounding this iconic figure. Hear from Denver Public Library staff and community members about their own La Llorona traditions as we examine the history and evolution of La Lloronas’ influence throughout the Americas. Come and share your own experiences with the audience!
Calaveras Day!
Saturday, October 29, 2-4 p.m., Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales
Hispanic Heritage Month is over but we continue the celebration! Join us for a family-friendly fun-filled festival of decorating sugar skulls. Explore the history and stories surrounding this tradition. Learn about the ancient Aztec ritual that celebrated the lives of those who were deceased and how with the 17th century introduction of sugar, after the Spanish conquest of Mexico, sugar skulls came to be a Mexican tradition. Create and decorate your own sugar skull.
Paper Portraits with an ideaLAB Make & Take Kit
September 15 - October 15
Stop at one of these branches to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us with a kit to create a layered paper portrait of a famous woman from history, or take a kit home! While supplies last.
- Schlessman Family
- Ross-Barnum
- Hadley
- Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales
- Montbello
- Hampden
- Sam Gary
Create your own Muñeca Quitapenas or Flores de papel picado
Through October 15
Visit any of these branches to pick up a kit to create your own worry dolls or paper flowers. While supplies last.
- Smiley
- Ross-University Hills
- Green Valley Ranch
- Ross-Broadway
- Hadley
- Children’s
- Eugene Field
Adults
A Tribute to Mexican Heroes/Un tributo a héroes mexicanos
Saturday, September 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales
Join us for this dedication ceremony of the mural, titled Mexican Heroes. The mural was created by Chicana muralist Carlota EspinoZa and donated to the Denver Public Library Western Art Collection by local santero and pioneer of the local Chicano movement, Carlos and Anita Santistevan. Light refreshments will be provided.
Musical Bingo
Wednesday, September 21, 7 p.m., Raíces Brewing (2060 W Colfax Ave, 80204)
Join us for Musical Bingo! We'll show you music videos and you'll have 30 seconds to find the song on your board. Have some fun and win prizes!
Tummy Tales Book Reception
Saturday, September 24, 2-4 p.m., Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales
This new Tummy Tale book release celebrates the joy of cooking. Join local Colorado authors from diverse Latino and other heritages as they recount their own family food stories. Learn about how traditional recipes from your own family can ensure your families’ heritage is carried on.
Older Adults
Cooking Series: Rice from Puerto Rico
Thursday, September 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Smiley
Join us for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with conversation and delicious food! Sandy will show you how to make her yummy recipe that takes rice to a whole new level. Come practice your Spanish while you sample the real thing at this fun in-person presentation. This event is in Spanish and English. Este evento es en español e inglés. Food will be available while supplies last. Please register.
Cooking Series: Flan from Mexico
Thursday, September 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Smiley
Join us for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with food and conversation! Jorge will show you how to make his delicious flan recipe that gets rave reviews. Come practice your Spanish while you sample the real thing at this fun in-person presentation. This event is in Spanish and English. Este evento es en español y inglés. Food will be available while supplies last. Please register.
Memory Cafe
Tuesday, Oct 11, 1:30-3 p.m., Schlessman Family
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month we will be trying our hand at playing Lotería, a Mexican game of chance similar to bingo. Learn about the history of the game and its place in Mexican culture. There will be prizes!
Memory Cafe is a fun place to socialize, relax, and engage with people experiencing memory loss and their families/caregivers. Each cafe has a focus—such as music or art—to facilitate the main goal, which is a social connection for individuals with shared experiences. At the Memory Cafe, you can just be yourself -- without worrying about remembering or forgetting.
All Ages
Mandinga Mangueiro: An Introduction to Capoeira the Afro-Brazilian Martial Arts
Thursday, September 8, 2-3 p.m., Ford-Warren
Saturday, September 10, 2-3 p.m., Green Valley
Saturday, September 17, 12-1 p.m., Bob Ragland
Saturday, September 24, 3-4 p.m., Ross-Barnum
Capoeira is an exciting art and cultural expression that is a manifestation of Afro-Brazilian culture with strong African Roots, a product of the African Diaspora in South America. Enslaved African people who were forcibly moved from Western regions in Africa by the Portuguese were responsible for the development of Capoeira. Capoeira not only heavily influences Brazilian culture, but it has adopted pieces of the popular and indigenous characteristics of the culture. It is a perfect recipe of dance-like movements set to a rhythmic pace and mood that shares the history, lessons, and philosophy of Martial Arts techniques. These techniques are a symbol of resistance against oppression and marginalization. During this program, you will explore these aspects using movement, music, and storytelling.
Latino Community Service Awards 20th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m., Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Branch Library
Each year, Denver Public Library celebrates the contributions of Latinos with the Latino Community Service Awards. Awards are given to individuals who have made contributions to our community and are celebrated during a public ceremony during Hispanic Heritage Month. The celebration is a lively event with entertainment and a community reception. This event is free and open to the public.
Celebrate Latin American Heritage Month with Latin American Folk Music performed by Elisa Garcia
Saturday, October 1, 2-3 p.m., Virginia Village
Elisa Garcia plays songs from Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, down to Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. Using rhythms like huapango, boleros, cumbias, zambas, and candombes, she takes listeners on a journey through Latin America. Elisa is accompanied by her husband, Mexican percussionist Leo Munoz-Corona.
Mexican Bingo (Lotería Mexicana)
Wednesday, October 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales
Wednesday, October 12, 4:15-5:15 p.m., Pauline Robinson
Saturday, October 15, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Woodbury
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month we will be trying our hand at playing Lotería, a Mexican game of chance similar to bingo. Learn about the history of the game and its place in Mexican culture. There will be prizes!
Cultural Night
Saturday, October 15, 6-9 p.m., Aztlan Theater (976 Santa Fe Dr, 80219)
Come on down to Santa Fe Drive for a celebration of Latin American, and Hispanic culture at the historic Aztlan Theater! We’ll wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month with music, art, and, of course, books. All are welcome at this family-friendly celebration of the excellence and diversity of Latino artistry and culture.