September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. What began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 has since been expanded into a month-long celebration of all things Hispanic and Latino.
WNMU, an Hispanic Serving Institution and a charter member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, has several activities planned in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month.
On Thursday, September 19, there will be an Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta on the pool patio from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Grant County native, WNMU Nursing major and singer Keana Huerta will be performing, and there will be food and dancing.
Also on September 19, Brasil-based Argentine composer, accordionist, and researcher Alejandro Brittes will perform in concert at Light Hall. Brittes explores the music and dance tradition of northeastern Argentina, chamamé, which has been declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Also featured at the concert will be Gertie Lopez, a celebrated accordionist and leading force in the performance and preservation of Tohono O’odham culture and music in Arizona and Mexico. She will perform with her band the T.O. Boyz. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m., and tickets for the event are available through the Office of Cultural Affairs.
Cultural Affairs will also be hosting a free lecture on September 24 with Santa Fe-based travel writer Judith Fein, who will be discussing her book “Slow Travel in New Mexico” as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. Fein is an award-winning travel journalist, inspirational speaker, film/opera/dance reviewer and blogger. For two years, during the pandemic, Fein and her photojournalist husband Paul Ross, replaced international travel with a deep dive into the magic of their home state of New Mexico. Her book explores uniquely New Mexican experiences, and it invites the reader to learn what slow travel is, gives tips on how to make every day of your life an experience, and provides information about how you can have each of these adventures yourself. The lecture and book signing will be held in Light Hall Theater beginning at 7:00 p.m.
On September 26 at 10:30, WNMU will be welcoming local primary school children to the Fine Arts Theatre for a production of “Coyote and the Counting Game,” a bilingual (Spanish/English) musical production that is part of the Creede Repertory Theatre’s Young Audience Outreach Tour. The mission of the tour is to provide equitable access to high quality theatre and arts education to rural and remote communities across the Southwest.
WNMU Student Life is hosting a Salsa Contest, and students, staff and faculty can prepare and submit their best salsa for judging. A panel of judges will rate the taste, appearance, and color of each salsa submitted, and there will be trophies for first- and second-place winners. The contest will take place Thursday, September 26, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the pool patio. Those interested in participating may contact Vice President of Student Life April Burt at aburt@wnmu.edu.
On Saturday, October 12, there will be a Hispanic Heritage Car Show at 12:30 p.m. at Old James Stadium. The show will feature lowriders and other custom cars, and it is free and open to the public.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs until October 15.