7 ways to continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
October 1, 2021
Dancers perform a traditional dance from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, at the Forest Home Library in 2013. (File photo by Maria Corpus)
Hispanic Heritage Month is a national holiday celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month covers the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, México and Chile, as well as Columbus Day or Día de la Raza.
Here are six events from now through Oct. 15 to celebrate in Milwaukee plus two bonus events to keep the celebration going after Hispanic Heritage Month officially ends.
Did we miss an event? Let us know by emailing samwoods@milwaukeenns.org.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Milwaukee Film’s “Cine Sin Fronteras”: now through Oct. 11
Milwaukee Film’s Hispanic Heritage Month will feature virtual programming, in-person screenings and events elevating and honoring the work of Latinx filmmakers and traditions. Through Milwaukee Film’s Cine Sin Fronteras initiative, the community is invited to embrace and explore all experiences within the Latinx diaspora, including Chicanx, Latin American, Indigenous, and Afro-Latinx. View films here and events here.
Mauricio Ramirez: Poly Wave – Seeds of Color & Shape: now through Oct. 2
You may have seen Mauricio Ramirez’s murals around town, including the recently torn down “Anything for SELENAS” mural in Walker’s Point. From now through Oct. 2, Latino Arts is hosting a gallery of his latest works, albeit indoors and on a smaller scale than his outdoor murals.
The Latino Arts Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is located inside the United Community Center at 1028 S. 9th St.
UW-Milwaukee Hispanic Heritage Month Programming: now through Nov. 4
Latinx Heritage Month at UW-Milwaukee features salsa dancing, narratives from detention facilities at the U.S./México border, a planetarium show, creative writing workshop and more. Information about each event can be found at the link above.
Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Speaker Series: now through Oct. 5
The MATC Speaker Series for Hispanic Heritage Month includes topics ranging from mentorship to DACA to motivational speaking. Some discussions are available in-person, but all are available via Zoom. Find dates and times for speakers and register for discussions at the link above.
Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association Speaker Series: Dr. Sergio González: Thursday, Oct. 14
Dr. Sergio González, assistant professor of Latinx Studies at Marquette University, joins the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association for a panel discussion and dinner. González’s first book, Mexicans in Wisconsin, is an introductory history of Mexican settlement and community formation across the state.
The discussion takes place from 5:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. at Godfrey & Kahn, 833 E. Michigan St. Register at the link above.
Just because Hispanic Heritage Month officially ends on Oct. 15 does not mean opportunities to learn about and celebrate Hispanic culture cannot continue afterward. Here are two events to keep the celebration going after Oct. 15.
Haggerty Museum Community Day:  Saturday, Oct. 16
The Haggerty Art Museum at Marquette University celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and its current exhibition María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Sea and Self with an all-ages, open to the public event on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured at the event will be live music by De La Buena, collage portrait creation with Sixteenth Street Community Health Center and other cultural activities sponsored by Marquette’s Latin American Student Organization.
UMOS Hispanic Awards Banquet: Friday, Oct. 22
United Migrant Opportunity Services, or UMOS, hosts its annual Hispanic Awards Banquet honoring the contributions of Wisconsin Hispanics to their communities. This event is ticketed and virtual, running from 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. For more information, call 414-389-6002 or email Carmen.Lerma@umos.org