National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Hispanic culture, tradition and legacy are woven into the fabric of South Texas and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) and Del Mar College are hosting a diverse set of programs to celebrate and educate. The public is invited to attend lectures, art exhibitions, cooking demonstrations, concerts and more all month long.
Sept. 27 – “Selena” Screening
The Performing Arts Center welcomes you to watch “Selena,” the biographical drama charting the extraordinary career and tragic death of Corpus Christi’s own singing sensation, Selena Quintanilla. The film stars Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos. Admission is a canned good or other nonperishable item for Izzy’s Food Pantry to support students experiencing food insecurity. The show begins at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 – Worry Dolls
¡No te preocupes! Join the University Counseling Center to craft traditional worry dolls or muñequitas in the Mary and Jeff Bell Library from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. These traditional dolls can be found throughout Guatemala and Mexico and are often given to children as a tool to help them communicate their worries. All supplies will be provided.
Sept. 28 – Las Muralistas Community Painting
Two talented alumnae artists, Mayra Zamora and Monica Marie Garcia are coming together to create a stunning mural at the University Center Rotunda from 5 – 7 p.m. Students, staff and community members are invited to be a part of this artistic journey. Let your creativity flow as we paint and bring life to this vibrant mural that will become a beautiful addition to the TAMU-CC campus. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to leave your mark on the University and celebrate the power of art and community coming together. For more information, contact the Islander Cultural Alliance at ica@tamucc.edu.
Sept. 30 – 123 Andres
Part of the Furgason BRAVO! Series, 123 Andrés made up of Andrés and Christina, the Latin Grammy-winning music duo will perform at the TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center. Their catchy songs and lively concerts get the whole family dancing and learning in Spanish and English. The concert begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30. at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 or younger.
Oct. 5-7 – Bailando Dance Festival
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend community are invited to enjoy a full weekend event featuring evening dance concerts and master classes in a variety of dance styles. The Bailando International Dance Festival will be held at TAMU-CC from Oct. 5-7 in the Performing Arts Center and other locations around campus. Masterclasses will be held during the day and evening concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 – In the Kitchen with Vianney Rodriguez
Award-winning South Texas food blogger Vianney Rodriguez will make simple, easy-to-recreate dishes and share samples with the audience during “Family, Food, and Friends: In the Kitchen with Vianney Rodriguez.” Rodriguez will also speak to the importance of the three Fs in the Hispanic culture and how pivotal the act of cooking in the kitchen and feasting together is to many Hispanic families. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the Mary and Jeff Bell Library Breakroom Kitchen.
Oct. 14 – Cultura Corpus Christi: Noche de Mariachi
Join the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 14 from 6 – 10 p.m. for Cultura Corpus Christi: Noche de Mariachi presented by IBC Bank. The event serves as a celebration of rich cultural heritage and a testament to the power of unity through music and art. The evening will feature enchanting Mariachi melodies, breathtaking performances and a vibrant atmosphere capturing the essence of Corpus Christi’s cultural tapestry. Performances include the Collegiate Mariachi Band from TAMU-CC, Texas A&M-Kingsville, & University of Texas-Rio Grand Valley.
Oct. 17 – Mariachi & Folklorico Showcase
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Department of Music invites the public to celebrate the pageantry and beauty of the music of the Mariachi de la Isla and the traditional dances of Alcorta’s Compañía de Danza Folklórica as they celebrate 25 years of dance instruction and performances. The show starts at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
Oct. 19 – “Two Spirited: The Duality of Individuality” with Artist Leticia Ernestina Gómez
As part of the Creative Works and Artistic Exhibits Series sponsored by the Del Mar College Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery, the College’s Center for Mexican American Studies will host a Gallery Talk on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. with artist Leticia Ernestina Gómez for her presentation, “Two Spirited: The Duality of Individuality.” Gómez is a multimedia artist based in Corpus Christi whose artwork explores ideas of indigeneity, queerness, intimacy, spirituality and cultural belonging. Her inspirations and techniques range across the disciplines of drawing, painting, collage and installation art. The Gallery Talk is scheduled in Room 133 of the Coles Classroom Building on the Heritage Campus.
Oct. 26 – “Forging Race and Gender Power in Houston,” a History Lecture by Houston Community College Professor Samantha Rodriguez
Del Mar College’s Social Sciences Department will host a history lecture, “Forging Race and Gender Power in Houston,” by Samantha Rodriguez, Professor of Humanities and History with Houston Community College, on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. Currently, Rodriguez is working on a monograph that leverages oral histories to examine the way Tejanas in Austin, Houston and San Antonio balanced a commitment to gender liberation and ethnic self-determination within the broader nexus of the Chicano/Chicana Movement, the Black Power Movement and the mainstream Anglo Feminist Movement. The lecture is scheduled in Wolfe Recital Hall, located in the Fine Arts Center Music Building on the Heritage Campus.
