Somerville Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City’s SomerViva: Office of Immigrant Affairs, Department of Racial and Social Justice, and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) are inviting the community to a range of events throughout September and October celebrating National Hispanic Heritage month (September 15 - October 15, 2023).
 

Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Saturday, October 14, 2-5 p.m.
Save the date and watch for a separate announcement at somervillema.gov for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, October 14, at the East Somerville Community School from 2 to 5 p.m. Hosted by the City’s SomerViva: Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Department of Racial and Social Justice, this event was shaped by a working group of community volunteers who interviewed residents to ask how they wished to celebrate their heritage.

The celebration will thus showcase “country stations,” where attendees can learn about Latin American and Caribbean countries including sampling foods and viewing traditional clothing. Dance performances, interactive workshops (including pupusa-making and dance lessons), and more round out the fun. All are invited to attend this free event. We thank Padres Latinos for their co-sponsorship of this celebration. For questions, please contact Susana Ubaldo-Russell at srussell@somervillema.gov.
 

Somerville Public Schools Events
The Somerville High School (SHS) LatinX Student Union with the support of the Somerville Public Schools is hosting a series of events and activities in recognition of and to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month that will be shared directly with students and their families.
 

Las Chicas Artistas
The Somerville Arts Council (SAC) invites the community to Las Chicas Artistas all-Spanish-language exhibition celebrating local women and women-identifying as Hispanic artists, on view now through December 2023.

Opening events for Las Chicas Artistas will take place on Friday, September 22, and Friday, October 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Arts Council’s BIPOC pop-up exhibition space (191 Highland Ave., Suite 2A). Both events will include live performances and the opportunity to meet the artists.
 

Artistas de Somerville
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, SAC is also extending collaboration with The Inside Out Gallery, which has put on a one-of-a-kind exhibition, Artistas de Somerville, at the CVS window in Davis Square. The exhibition includes work from Consuelo Lopez, Fermin Castro, Laidy Saenz, and Mario Quiroz, and is on view now through October 23.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.