21 Reasons to love being Latina in Des Moines

This post is inspired by the June/July 2009 issue of Latina Magazine that lists 120 reasons to love being Latina. I am adapting it to 21 Reasons to love being Latina in Des Moines. My list isn't as long but I encourage you to add your own reasons!

1. Salsa nights- Latin Rhythms, DJ Xan, VJ Julian all host hip-shaking salsa nights around the city so that you can swing those caderas at least once a week. This week you can start tonight at the Black Cat Cafe at $9 where there will be a free dance lesson and tunes spun by DJ Xan. It's a weekly jam session so make it a regular date night. You can also get out to Hotel Fort Des Moines this Friday for their monthly Salsa Night where there will be a dance lesson at 8 then dance away to salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, cha-cha, reggaeton and more spun by Latin Rhythmz for $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Follow it up with Caliente Salsa at Taft's on Saturday night at 9pm for only $5.

2. Joann Mackey- She's a powerhouse Latina who knows everyone in town and has yet to meet a challenge she can't overcome. When she gathered a group of volunteers in 2001 to put together the first Latino Heritage Festival people balked at the idea of a group of inexperienced volunteers putting on an event of the magnitude of her vision. The result was 15,000 attendees in year one and an annual event that draws over 50,000 people and celebrates its seventh year on September 19 & 20th at the Blank Park Zoo. She leads the way for this knock-out event while being a second mom to most of us and a real mom to two beautiful, talented daughters and a handsome grandson. 

3. The annual Latino Heritage Festival- It showcases the cultures, food, music and people of over 20 Latin American countries over a 2-day fiesta in the park. From children's activities, live dance and music, cartoon character cameos for the kiddies, horse shows and some of the best food in town, there is so much to see and so little time! For more information friend them on Facebook and  visit www.latinoheritagefestival.org.

4. The Farmer's Market- You can get organic bushels of cilantro, or better yet, buy a cilantro plant and grow your own for a buck! Also, some of the best pupusas in town. Make sure to go early for the best produce pickings and expect a long wait for the Salvadoran food as it's one of the most popular vendors at the market. Map out your next Saturday morning visit at http://www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/.

5. Taco trucks- Where else can you get ultra-authentic Mexican food for next to nothing? Not only are they conveniently located on several street corners throughout the SE side, but most are open late, too! Tortas at midnight, here we come!

6. Xochipilli Children's Center- the only nationally accredited bilingual learning academy for 2-5 year-olds in the state of Iowa. My 4 year-old goes there and she'll definitely be ahead of the curve when she starts kindergarten in the fall thanks to their amazing teaching staff and advanced curriculum. Sign up your pre-schooler at http://www.herdsm.org/aboutx.php.

7. Guitarras de Mexico- This trio performs traditional Mexican music at most local festivals and events and you can even catch them enhancing the bilingual worship at Las Americas United Methodist Church at 8th and College Sunday mornings at 10.

8. Food, glorious food- From upscale Oaxacan dishes and over 80 types of tequilas at Dos Rios to hand-made masa at  Mariana's Tacos and fried yucca at El Salvador del Mundo, for a small city in the middle of Iowa, Des Moines offers a ton of options for Mexican and Salvadoran food. Anyone out there want a cool business idea? We need an authentic tapas bar and a Puerto Rican restaurant! Tostones anyone? Make a reservation for killer margaritas and tequilas-fused cocktails at http://www.dosriosrestaurant.com/.

9. Cheap pork- Latinos love their pork and with the plethora of pork processing plants in the area, you can get a whole pig or just the parts you love best for a decent price at most grocery stores or straight off the slaughtering floor.

10. Sweet treats- Tres leches cakes is the food of the Gods and Pasteleria Raquel's homemade whipped cream frosting will make you forget your diet and ask for seconds. Order one of these cakes at Lara's Bakery (86th and Franklin) or Raquel's (SE 15th and E. Grand) for your next party or just for you and your taste buds will thank you for weeks! These Latina-owned bakeries are full of other treats like dulce de leche empanadas and flan so pay them a visit and leave your diet in the dust for a little while as you enjoy a little slice of heaven on a plate.

11. Día de los Muertos- Every year the Des Moines Art Center celebrates the lives of Latinos who have helped shape Des Moines with an alter designed and built by local Latino artists as part of a whole day of programming shaped around this Latin holiday. You can make a sugar calavera, catch a play and listen to mariachi music while browsing their world-renown art collection in their award-winning galleries. Sign up for an art class or check out their latest exhibition at http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/.

12. Ritual Cafe- Mayan Mochas, iced horchata lattes and Mexican hot chocolate, along with vegan and vegetarian dishes at the only Latina-owned cafe in the city. Check out their website for a schedule of their live music nights, and other events, or have your next gathering at their comfy site in the Western Gateway or enjoy a beverage outside with your favorite pooch: http://www.ritualcafe.com/.

13. The Val-Air Ballroom- This decades old concert venue frequently brings norteño and banda bands along with the occasional bachata duo like Monchi y Alexandra. It draws a packed house every time and has ample parking for all patrons. Catch a concert or cheer on one of the many Latino Mixed Martial Arts  stars at http://www.valairballroom.com/index.php.

14. La Tapatia Tienda Mexicana- This locally-owned chain of Latino grocery stores started out as small as my kitchen on East Grand before it became the largest business in the Latino Business District. Today it has 3 locations throughout the city and it's flagship store at SE 15th and Des Moines Street has a bakery, butcher, video store and more and is the only place you can fresh-from-the-fryer churros, steaming cups of elote con todo and a bottle of Chilean pisco.

15. Caipirinhas, mojitos and pisco-sours- Get all three (not all at once please) at Continental in the East Village while you enjoy a small plate of Des Moines-style tapas. Or head out to the Jordan Creek area and experience these drinks in a  more expensive, chain-restaurant atmosphere at the Cheesecake Factory.

16. The Latino Business District- Mentioned a few times throughout this list, this stretch of land on East Grand houses Los Laureles serving up a great selection of Mexican seafood dishes until 3 am most nights, a Western wear store for all your charro needs, Pasteleria Raquel's, a palateria estylo Michoacan and more. Take a stroll as you savor a paleta de leche and take in the colors, sights and sounds of this recently restored area.

17. The Art of Capoeira- Take a class by Professor Xará and learn the history and moves of this Afro-Brazilian martial art form that has been growing in popularity over the last few years. You can also take a class at the Roots Wellness Center at 3207 S.W. 9th Street, or catch a performance at various events throughout the summer like the Farmer's Market and the Latino Heritage Festival. These are just two of the Capoeira options you can find in the Des Moines Metro area. Take or watch a class at http://www.professorxara.com/about%20us.htm or http://www.afrobrazilianarts.com/.

18. Flexing our FUERZA- Resources, education, and strong role models make up this organization that celebrates the talents and contributions of gay Latinos in Iowa. They have a strong presence in Des Moines and brought salsa nights to The Blazing Saddle and The Garden Nightclubs. Meet members and/or join at this year's pride June 12-14 (http://capitalcitypride.org/) or at http://www.myspace.com/gaylatinosofiowa.

19. Spanish newspapers thriving in this economy- Spanish newspapers come and go in any economy but there are three that cover Central Iowa who have survived this horrible economy to bring us the latest soccer league scores, pages and pages of ads geared toward our people, and commentaries on local and international politics. The next time you pick up some goods at La Tapatia or any other Latino grocery store in the city, pick up the latest issues of El Latino, El Viento and El Enfoque and get caught up on the latest news about our community.

20. Love for Latino Literature- The Des Moines Public Library carries a ton of Latino books in English and Spanish as noted in an earlier post, and even brought famed author Luis J. Rodriguez to the Hoyt Sherman a few years ago as part of their AVID lecture series. They also carry Latino-themed English movies like Real Women Have Curves, or Spanish films that have won national acclaim like Pedro Almodóvar's Volver starring Penelope Cruz.  Celebrate Latino Book Month by checking out a book or film at http://libhip.desmoineslibrary.com/#focus.

21. Agencies to meet our family's needs- Click on any of the links at the lower right of this page to learn more about the many non-profit agencies that specialize in serving the Latino community. They could use your time, talents and resources so give them a call and contribute to their various missions and visions for the betterment of the city as a whole.

Of course, you don't have to be a Latina to enjoy these aspects of the city so take advantage of this beautiful weather and experience this list for yourself. What are your reasons? Let's grow this list!