Monday kicked off the celebration of the National Hispanic Heritage Month running through Oct. 15 which features various free events exploring the Hispanic culture in America and is sponsored by Sacramento State and the Multicultural Center.

National Hispanic Heritage Month became an official, government sanctioned event in 1988 when Congress made amendments to the resolution that previously had only granted one week for the national event.

The amendment authorized President Reagan to extend this seven-day period to 31 days in order to fully celebrate, appreciate and educate the country on the varied contributions that the over 38 million members of the Hispanic community have given to the nation.

Sac State’s events range from film screenings of “Frida” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” to speeches, exhibits and music.

The first two days of the month were packed with events that were filled with visual and spoken art. Monday included the opening of a photo exhibit titled “Home is Everything” by Sacramento Bee photojournalist Jose Luis Villegas. The exhibit is in the University Library and will remain open to the public until Oct. 15.

This was followed by the Celebracion del 16 de Septiembre, a celebration that marks the beginning of the fight for Mexico’s independence, which is celebrated that day.

The event included music by Los Cenzontles, a speech by keynote speaker Diana Fuentes-Michel, artwork, food and other exhibits.

A multimedia performance by Climbing Poetree was given entitled “Uniting the State of the Americans.”

The big event of this month is a lecture by editorial cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz whose political comic strip “La Cucaracha” appears in daily papers such as the Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times and over 50 other newspapers across the nation.?

Alcaraz is a satirist who uses a unique voice in the criticisms and commentary found in his cartoons and other outlets, such as the satirical magazine “POUCHO.” His lecture will be held in the University Union Auditorium on Sept. 22 from noon to 2 p.m.

Other events of the month include a concert performance by Rondalla Guadalupe this Friday in the University Union Hinde Auditorium at 6:30 p.m., as well as the exhibition of the paintings of Ana Candioti, which opens Sept. 29 and remains open for viewing until Oct. 24.

A film festival in Riverside Hall Room 1015 on Oct. 3 will also be showcasing some films such as “El Infierno Verde” and “Memorias del subdesarrollo.”

On Oct. 14 the first of a two-part Frida Kahlo series will have a free viewing of the movie “Frida,” starring Salma Hayek, in Serna Plaza. ?The second half of this series will premiere on Oct. 20 with a vocal performance by one of the singers from “Frida.”

submit: Send