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Travel | August 31, 2009

Smithsonian celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with many free events

Marsha Dubrow's photo
DC Art Travel Examiner

Panamanian dancer

Panamanian folkloric dancer. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum.

What better way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month than by dancing salsa – for free.  

The Smithsonian celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with many free events of dancing, music, arts, crafts at its museums, and salsa dancers at smithsonianeven "animal demonstrations" at the National Zoo.

On September 3*, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s (SAAM) “Old World Traditions and Modern Perspectives” offers a “Free Salsa Dance Party -- Panamanian style”, including salsa lessons, and Panamanian  folk dances from 5-8 PM in the Kogod Courtyard.  

Panamanian vocalist Meñique, who sang with the famed Charlie Palmieri and others, will perform with Verny Varela and his orchestra. Then Earl International, a Panamanian DJ, will spin hot salsa tunes. The event is organized by Eileen Torres, a salsa music historian and queen of salsa in the DC metro area. 

On September 12, SAAM and the adjoining National Portrait Gallery (NPG) host “Hispanic Heritage Month Family Day” from 1-5 PM in the award-winning Kogod Courtyard that connects SAAM and NPG. The event includes more dancing and music, arts and crafts making, storytelling, and bilingual tours.

  

Salsa dancing at Kogod Courtyard. Photo by Bruce Guthrie.
 
Also at SAAM on September 21, the museum will have a “Latino Art and Culture” tour beginning at 12:30 PM. It traces artworks by Hispanic American artists reflecting the Latino experience.
 
For a full list of the Smithsonian's Hispanic Heritage events in September and October, click here.  Highlights include:
 
On September 19, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History holds its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration from 11 AM-4 PM in the Baird Auditorium and Evans Gallery. Performances and other activities explore the coastal cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean.
 
On September 20, the National Zoo has Fiesta Musical rain or shine from 11 AM-5 PM. Latin music and food, costumed dancers, and traditional crafts will be supplemented by zoo scientists who’ll discuss field research in Latin American countries. Plus the zoo's "animal demonstrations".  
 
On September 21 and 28 (and October 5 and 12), the SAAM’s Renwick Gallery has a “Bilingual Highlights Tour” featuring works like Larry Fuente’s whimsical sculpture “Game Fish”.  
 
Then on September 26, the National Postal Museum holds a "Latin Jazz Celebration" between 11 AM and 2 PM. 
 
*The actual Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Also, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
 
So let’s celebrate before, during, and after Hispanic Heritage Month – all year long. Ole!

 

 

 

 

 

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DC Art Travel Examiner

Marsha Dubrow's arts and travel stories have run in National Geographic Traveler, Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, among others. She was a...

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