Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month the Latino L.A. way with these great events

Hispanic Heritage Month arrives this year to celebrate the history, culture and everything that makes Latinos a permanent presence in the United States. Here are some events and ideas to celebrate: 

The Ford will host a series of events featuring diverse sounds and experiences with cumbia, mariachi, punk, hip-hop and rock. 

On September 13, the venue will host Noche de Cumbia: Sonido Gallo Negro & É Arenas, founding member and bassist/guitarist/vocalist of Chicano Batman. The show is transformed into a full sensory experience with mesmerizing live visuals created onstage by Argentinian illustrator Dr. Alderete of the evolution of the beloved Afro-Indigenous genre we know as cumbia. But this cumbia has a punk-rock edge. 

On September 28, the Ford presents "Tributo a Los grandes: José José, Juan Gabriel & Vicente Fernández" with Los Angeles’ mariachi ensemble Mariachi Tierra Mia paying tribute to three of the greatest icons of Mexican music: José José, Juan Gabriel and Vicente Fernández. The audience will be treated to José José’s heart-rending ballads that made him the “prince of song” to Juan Gabriel’s soul-stirring songwriting and Vicente Fernández’s legendary rancheras.

On October 11, Las Cafeteras will present "Hasta la Muerte", a new production including traditional Mexican folk music and mesmerizing choreography. The show follows La Catrina (patron saint of the dead) on a spellbinding journey across time, rhythm, and the borderlands between life and death. The production will feature appearances by folkloric figures like La Llorona and La Bruja, as well as modern-day migrants and families in despair.

On October 10, "Olé Los Angeles" will showcase flamenco from artistic director María “La Chacha” Bermúdez, featuring traditional flamenco dance with live music, storytelling through movement and interactive moments.

Tickets are available at theford.com or via phone on 323-850-2000.  

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La Santa Cecilia will perform Saturday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. & Sunday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA. La Santa Cecilia is a genre-defying ensemble that blends Latin rock with a rich tapestry of world music influences, drawing from cumbia, bossa nova, bolero, jazz, ranchera and more.  

The Luckman 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA, 90032 323-343-6600 • luckmanarts.orghttps://theluckman.org/events/la-santa-cecilia-sept13/ Parking: Structure Lot C & Structure E at Cal State LA   

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If you want to celebrate from your couch,  PBS will highlight cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the world with a special lineup of programming. PBS will premiere four new programs, starting with “Sacred Planet with Gulnaz Khan.” Episode One, premiering September 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET and Spanish closed captioned, features the little-known world of the Indigenous Arhuaco community, who live in the highest coastal mountain range in the world, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria in Colombia. Episode Four, premiering October 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET, also with Spanish closed captions, features Gulnaz in Paucartambo, Peru, participating in one of the great rituals of the Andes: the annual Qoyllur Ri’ti pilgrimage. 

On September 18, the second season premiere of the Spanish-language series “Velvet” follows Alberto, who returns from his honeymoon to find a myriad of surprises. In addition, the Hispanic Heritage Awards returns for its 38th season on September 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET, including performances and appearances by some of the country's most celebrated Hispanic artists and visionaries, such as comedian and actor Cheech Marin and Mexican pop superstar Gloria Trevi. Following at 10:00 p.m. on September 26, VOCES premieres “Omara – Cuba's Legendary Diva,” a heartfelt documentary following Omara Portuondo, a driving force in Afro-Cuban music for over half a century, as she performs for passionate fans from Cuba to New York to Tokyo. 

PBS KIDS will also debut new episodes of “Alma’s Way” (September 29) and “Rosie’s Rules” (October 6). 

More shows to watch: 

“Becoming Frida Kahlo” Saturdays, September 13 – 27, 5:00 p.m. PT. Explore the life of celebrated artist Frida Kahlo in a three-part docuseries. See the major personal and political events of her life, including her stormy and devoted relationship with artist Diego Rivera, whom she married not once but twice.    

Voces “American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos” on Saturdays, September 13 – 27, 6:00 p.m. PT, Join actor John Leguizamo on a quest to uncover Latino and Latina heroes and their often-overlooked contributions, delving into both well-known and lesser-known stories of Latino history, from the grand Ancient Empires to the present.

"Finding Your Roots: Mexican Roots" on Tuesday, September 23, 5:00 p.m. PT. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and guests Mario Lopez and Melissa Villaseñor look at the Mexican American experience as seen through the lens of two families. 

American Masters “Orozco: Man of Fire” (Spanish Language Version) on Tuesday, September 23, 6:00 p.m. PT. Often thought of as the other Mexican muralist besides his more flamboyant compatriots Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, Orozco was a leader of the Mexican Renaissance. His bold, dynamic frescoes had a profound impact on American painters and inspired Franklin D. Roosevelt to put artists to work during the Great Depression. His most famous U.S. murals — "The Table of Universal Brotherhood", "The Epic of American Civilization" and "Prometheu  — still convey their power in New York, New Hampshire and California. An iconoclastic personality, Orozco survived the loss of his left hand and the destruction of more than half his early work by border agents. His travels back and forth across the U.S.-Mexico border evoke the larger Mexican migrant-immigrant experience and have provocative parallels to present times.

"Finding Your Roots: Latin Roots" Ton uesday, September 30, 5:00 p.m. PT, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of musician Rubén Blades and journalist Natalie Morales—interweaving stories from across Latin America. Along the way, both guests learn secrets that their ancestors tried hard to conceal. 

American Masters “Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined” onn Friday, October 3, 7:00 p.m. PT. Explore the life and career of Julia Alvarez, one of the most influential Latina writers of her generation. Since bursting onto the American literary scene in 1991 with her autobiographical novel, “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,” the widely acclaimed book that sold 250,000 copies, followed by “In the Time of the Butterflies” (1994), which raised global awareness about three sisters assassinated by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, Alvarez has blazed a trail for Latina authors to break into the literary mainstream. As one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful writers, Alvarez’s work spans multiple genres and audiences, including three books of nonfiction, three collections of poetry, 11 books for children and young adults, and seven literary novels.

"Finding Your Roots: Family Recipes” on Tuesday, October 7, 5:00 p.m. PT. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestry of celebrity chefs José Andrés and Sean Sherman, traveling from small-town Spain to Native American lands in the Dakotas to reveal his guests’ hidden connections to history—and to food.

"Finding Your Roots: Anchormen” on Tuesday, October 7, 6:00 p.m. PT. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces trail-blazing journalists Jim Acosta and Van Jones to the ancestors who blazed a trail for them, meeting runaway slaves and immigrant settlers who took enormous chances so that their descendants might thrive.

American Masters “A Song for Cesar” on Saturday, October 11, 5:00 p.m. PT. Trace the life and legacy of labor activist César Chávez. Through interviews with Maya Angelou, Joan Baez, Carlos Santana and more, see how music and the arts were instrumental to the success of the farmworkers’ movement Chávez helped found.

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Mexican Independence Day is also celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month. Mexico will soon celebrate the 215th anniversary of its Independence, a day many know as El Grito. The tradition goes back to the early hours of 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the bells of the church in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, and called on the people to rise against Spanish rule. His famous Grito de Dolores marked the beginning of Mexico’s fight for freedom, known as "El Grito de Independencia."     

Today, El Grito celebrates history, culture, and community and in L.A., they will be throwing some of the biggest fiestas outside of Mexico. Here are five free events you can enjoy with family and friends, all easy to reach on Metro buses and trains:      

East LA Parade & Festival

This parade and festival have been a beloved tradition since 1946, bringing more than 20,000 people together each year. Expect folklórico dancers, classic cars, decorated buses, local art, food vendors, live music, and family activities. This year’s Grand Marshall is José M. Hernandez, a Mexican American engineer and former NASA astronaut who grew up working in the fields with his immigrant parents before making history in space in 2009, where he sent the first Spanish-language tweet from orbit. Join this year’s celebration, where Metro is proud to be a sponsor, and take part in honoring culture and community.   

When: Sunday, September 14   

Where: Corner of E. César E. Chávez Ave. and Mednik Ave.   

Time: 10 am – 5 pm   

Go Metro: Take the Metro E Line to East LA Civic Center Station. You can also take the Metro Line 70 to Mednik / Cesar E Chávez.   

For more information: www.eastla-parade.com/    

LA Plaza de la Cultura y Artes

Learn about Mexico’s Independence with music, art, food and family workshops. Enjoy performances by Mariachi Tierra del Sol Juvenil de Los Angeles and the Neighborhood Music School’s mariachi teaching ensemble. Expect some rancheras, boleros, sones, and polkas plus DJ music throughout the day.   

When: Sunday, September 14   

Where: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes – 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012   

Time: 12:00 pm  

Go Metro: Take the Metro J Line to Aliso St./Los Angeles St. You can also take the Metro Line 78 to Spring / César Chávez.   

For more information: lapca.org/event/fiestas-patrias-family-day    

El Grito at LA City Hall

Celebrate El Grito at City Hall with this year’s theme: ¡Viva La Resistencia! The night will include live music, Lucha Libre, food and family-friendly fun. This year’s madrina will be Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez of District 1.    

When: Saturday, September 13 

Where: Los Ángeles City Hall – 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 

Time: 5:00 pm -10:30 pm   

Go Metro: Take the Metro B/D Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station OR take the Metro A/E Line to Historic Broadway Station.  

For more information: www.instagram.com/cd1    

Olvera Street

Soak up the tradition and energy of Olvera Street with music, cultural activities, giveaways, food and more as Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month come together in one celebration. There will also be health screenings available for the community.     

When: Sunday, September 14  

Where: Olvera Street – 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Time: 6:00 pm    

Go Metro: Take the Metro B/D/A/J Line to Union Station.  

For more information: www.olverastreetofficial./ig.com     

Downey Theatre 

Head to the Downey Theatre for a spectacular evening of mariachi and folklorico performances. Mariachi Premier de El Grullo, Jalisco, Las Meñinas from Jalisco, and special guests from Zacatecas and Mexicali. Add in Mexican food, crafts and community booths and you'll will have a night full of music, culture, and tradition for the whole family.     

When: Sunday, September 14   

Where: Downey Theatre – 8435 Firestone Blvd. Downey, CA 90241  

Time: 5:00 pm -10:00 pm   

Go Metro: Take the Metro Bus Line 115 to Firestone/Brookshire   

With reporting from Mey Lyn Mitteenn, The Source.