Celebrate Latino Heritage Month in LA

Part of its World Cinema Series, the Central Library presents a screening of Violeta Went to Heaven on Saturday, September 14. Violeta is a portrait of famed Chilean poet, singer and folklorist Violeta Parra - filled with her musical work, memories and hopes from humble origins to international fame, her defense of indigenous cultures and devotion to her art. The screening will take place at 1pm in Meeting Room A.

Experience the ultimate quinceañera at The Ford as Las Colibrí mark their 15th anniversary in style! These powerful women bring the early-20th century all-string mariachi sound to life with vibrant vocal harmonies and colorful costumes paying homage to Mexican cinematic divas of the 1940s and ’50s.

The festivities include rancheras y sones, dancing, y mucho más as Las Colibrí are serenaded by their talented chambelanes Julián Torres and Mariachi Ángeles de Pepe Martínez Jr., along with their invitados de honor Los Del Momento and Ballet Folklórico Ollín.

Experience the beauty and tradition of a quinceañera, a rite of passage deeply rooted in Mexican culture. The celebration will feature several traditional aspects of a quinceañera, including a pre-concert DJ & Celebration; Religious Ceremony, The Waltz and Baile de Sorpresa.

The Latino Theater Co. presents Whittier Boulevard, the critically acclaimed, ensemble-devised “Chicano Noir” satire that employs the company’s trademark blend of comedy, drama, music, dance and theatrical magic to explore ageism — and the divine that exists within us all. It’s Los Angeles in 2042, and years of fires, torrential rain, anarchy and bloodshed have led to a totalitarian city-state where the elderly disappear, their stories forgotten. When authorities make a surprise visit to the home of faded Chicana starlet Veronica Del Rio on the eve of her 75th birthday, she enlists the help of her loudmouth nurse, a kindhearted policeman-fan, and a down-on-his-luck poet. Will Veronica disappear and be forgotten before she finds true love?

On Sunday, September 15, community partners will come together at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes to commemorate Fiestas Patrias Family Day. September 16 marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, and Fiestas Patrias is among the most significant celebrations in Mexican and Mexican American culture, providing families with an occasion to reaffirm their heritage and identity. Families can enjoy free workshops and guest performers. Food and beverages will be available.

More than 50 years after the first iteration of ¡FIESTA!, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater revitalizes its classic, jolly puppet show for a new generation of audiences. Taking place at The Ford on Sunday, September 15, ¡FIESTA! features newly incorporated characters and cultures, bringing life to dancing cacti, colorful birds, and marimba maestros from Xochimilco in a never-before-seen Día de Muertos sequence. And the beloved marionette marching band serves a new look with outfits inspired by Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, the world’s first LGBTQ+ mariachi band.

A hidden gem in Topanga Canyon, the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum presents an annual summer season of repertory plays, year-round classes and live music concerts.

Written by Bernardo Cubría, The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latiné Vote tells the story of University Professor Paola Aguilar, who desperately needs money for…well, she’ll tell you. So when THE Political Party offers her a substantial paycheck to help them understand the Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latiné Vote, she reluctantly takes the job. Can she help these political strategists understand all of the nuances of her community to save the election? Or will her own journey ultimately be more important than who controls the White House?

Pay What You Will pricing will be in effect for the performances on September 16 and October 3. Arrive early for a Q&A with the cast.

Located on Level 2 of the ongoing Stories of Cinema exhibition, the gallery devoted to Lourdes Portillo highlights the life and career of a truly remarkable documentarian. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, Portillo’s work has focused on themes of identity and social justice in both the U.S. and Latin America. A filmmaker since 1979, her significant works include Las Madres: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo; La Ofrenda: The Days of the Dead; The Devil Never Sleeps; and 2001’s Senorita Extraviada/Missing Young Woman, all of which are represented in this important exploration of her contribution to documentary film.

Told as a multi-part story following the lives of childhood best friends Mona and Marivel (Angel Aviles, Seidy López), who inherit the nicknames “Sad Girl” and “Mousie” after joining an Echo Park gang, Mi Vida Loca follows the lives of the young women and those who formed part of the crew—exhibiting generational differences from the pachucas of the 1940s to the cholas of the 1990s. The young women are depicted with great care, which can be attributed to the bond writer-director Allison Anders formed with members of the Echo Park Locas, who were consultants and involved in all aspects of production.

Pre-screening conversation with writer-director Allison Anders and actors Angel Aviles and Seidy López.

Bring your familia to the El Capitan Theatre to see Coco from September 17-22! See the Mariachi Divas and Ballet Folklórico De Los Ángeles live on stage as you enter the theatre, and! before showtime enjoy a Fiesta of Lights featuring music from the movie. Priced at $38, the special Fan Event on September 20 includes a reserved seat, popcorn, fountain drink, and event credential and lanyard.

An extension of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, LA Cocina de Gloria Molina is the nation’s first museum and teaching kitchen dedicated to Mexican and Mexican culinary arts.

Part of the Pláticas y Pruebas series, the Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting will explore a selection of wines perfect for your upcoming holiday celebrations. The curated lineup features a variety of wines, including reds, whites and bubbles. During the two-hour class, you'll also learn about the rich history of wine in Baja California and regional wine production methods.

María (played by María Mercedes Coroy) has never strayed outside the confines of her village, formed around the base of Ixcanul, a volcano or, in the Kaqchikel language, “the internal force of the mountain which boils looking for eruption.” While betrothed in an arranged marriage to Ignacio (Justo Lorenzo), the local plantation foreman, María forges a secret romance with Pepe (Marvin Coroy), who has his own objective of making it to the United States.

Written and directed by Jayro Bustamante, Ixcanul has been noted for its authentic representation of Mayan culture in Guatemala, bringing awareness to the unique struggles Indigenous folk face as a marginalized group in the country.

Taking place at La Cocina de Gloria Molina on Saturday, September 21, Hecho con Amor: Plant-Based Pozole Rojo & Salsa Maxa will be led by chef Wendy Centeno of Guayaba Kitchen, who will teach students how to prepare a mushroom pozole in red sauce accompanied by a made-by-scratch chili oil that is perfect for the fall season.

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) hosts its annual InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema film festival on Saturday, September 21. Taking place at South Park Center, the line-up features four short film programs of noteworthy independent films from new talent that encompass a diverse range of genres, narrative approaches and stories; told by emerging filmmakers from and working in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the U.S.

Now in its 23rd year, the Baja Splash Cultural Festival celebrates the cultures of México, Central and South America, and beyond. Taking place at the Aquarium of the Pacific from 9am to 5pm on the weekend of September 23-24, the festival features traditional dance, live music, and educational programming in English and Spanish. Entry to the festival is included with General Admission to the Aquarium.

Written and directed by Daniel Ribeiro, The Way He Looks (2014) is a Brazilian coming-of-age film that tells the story of Leonardo (played by Ghilherme Lobo), a blind teenager who spends his days with his best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim). Frustrated by school bullies and the lack of confidence and independence given to him by overprotective loved ones, he contemplates studying abroad. Leonardo’s world is quickly shaken by the arrival of new student Gabriel (Fábio Audi), challenging his dynamic with Giovana as he makes sense of newfound feelings blossoming for Gabriel. This tender gay teen romance, set to music by Belle & Sebastian, premiered at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival, winning the FIPRESCI Prize in the Panorama section and the Teddy Award.

Straight A student Yolanda “Mosquita” (played by Fenessa Pineda) forges a friendship with the misunderstood, troublesome new girl at school, Mari (Venecia Troncoso). As Mosquita’s affections for Mari grow, and after a few shared instances of intimacy, the young women struggle to make sense of the confusing feelings blooming between them.

Writer-director Aurora Guerrero developed the script for Mosquita y Mari from writing exercises in film school, basing the stories on a close friendship she experienced growing up. Taking place in the Huntington Park neighborhood of Southeast Los Angeles, the film illustrates the vibrant community of the predominantly Latinx district.

Pre-screening conversation with Guerrero and actors Fenessa Pineda and Venecia Troncoso.

Numerous branches of the LA Public Library are hosting Latinx Heritage Month events.

On Saturday, September 28, the landmark Central Library presents the 6th annual Los Angeles Libros Festival, a full day of entertainment that includes Spanish-language and bilingual storytelling, musical performances, authors, workshops, books, and community. Writer and journalist Gustavo Arellano will host the festival, which will feature more than 30 events, 22 authors and illustrators, and 11 countries represented.

The line-up includes Elizabeth Acevedo, winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature and the Carnegie Medal; GRAMMY-winning musical group OzoKidz; Pedro Martín, winner of the Newbery Honor Award and the Pura Belpré Award; and Susie Jaramillo from Emmy-nominated preschool brand Canticos.

Award-winning authors include Jesús Trejo, Eliza Kinkz, Mirelle Ortega, José Ramirez, Elisa Chaverri, Ericka Sanchez, Joe Cepeda, Racquel Marie, and Leopoldo Gout. Activities include art workshops with Self Help Graphics, LACMA, and MOLAA; as well as bilingual storytimes, crafts, and more.

Free with RSVP at Eventbrite.

Set in Mexico City during the early aughts, Amar te Duele tells the story of privileged Renata (Martha Higareda), who falls for aspiring comic book artist Ulises (Luis Fernando Peña). Challenged by pressures of socioeconomic class and race, they maintain a secret relationship.

Screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Saturday, September 28, Amar te Duele was a hit among Mexican youth upon its release, sweeping awards at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards México, including Favorite Song for Natalia Lafourcade, who continued to gain prominence after contributing to the film’s soundtrack, the same year she released her breakout hit “En el 2000.” The film is also notable as the on-screen debut of pop group RBD member Alfonso Herrera.

Junior (played by Samuel Lange), a 9-year-old boy from a disadvantaged neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, develops an obsession with straightening his hair—deemed socially as pelo malo ("bad hair")—for his school photo. As Junior yearns to discover his identity through this fixation with his hair, it leads to rising tensions with his domineering mother Marta (Samantha Castillo), whose cause of distress is rooted in fear over noticing Junior’s increasing queerness.

Through Junior’s relationship with his hair, Pelo Malo explores questions about race, gender norms, sexuality, age, and class, influenced by the lasting effects of colonization which continue to permeate throughout Latin America.

To mark Latinx Heritage Month, Chicanx authors Carribean Fragoza, Estella González, and Daniel Olivas will be in conversation about their latest books which touch on various literary traditions, from the gothic to the working-class chingonx. Taking place at La Cocina de Gloria Molina at 2pm on Sunday, September 29, the Chicanx Book Talk will be moderated by Dr. Armando García, assistant professor at UC Riverside. The discussion will address their writing journeys and their literary, family and community influences. After the reading/discussion, there will be an audience Q&A.

As part of its family-friendly LA Soundscapes series, The Ford presents Caña Dulce y Caña Brava on Sunday, September 29. With both grace and vibrancy, the women-led group infuses new life into traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico. Energetic dancing and percussive stomping accompany their innovative arrangements for harp and guitars to amplify the sounds and sentiments of son jarocho, the centuries-old tradition rooted in Spanish, African and Native cultures.

A historically offensive term, malflora (bad flower) is now reclaimed by the femme and celebrated for their visible empowered disruption. Taking place at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes on Sunday, October 3, the Queer Mercado is a lesbian-femme mixer with lesbian vendors, live art, panel and entertainment.

On Sunday, October 3, La Cocina de Gloria Molina welcomes the founders of Salvadores Mezcal, Sal and Flor Palacios, who will share their family tradition and dive into the artisanal process, the variety of agaves, and its flavor profile that makes this spirit unique. Attendees of the two-hour Mezcal Artesenal will learn about the production of mezcal and utilize a technique on how to drink mezcal for the first time - all mezcals will be experienced in a Oaxacan way.

With each mezcal, attendees will explore the variety of aromas, tasting notes, and types of expressions that come with each spirit. In addition, attendees will also get a chance to learn what mezcals are best to use for mixed drinks, as well as what cocktails are best to use mezcal and how to make the drinks with a modern twist.

Learn how to prepare a staple recipe from Colima, Mexico! "Sopitos" are not sopes, but instead, a small tortilla dorada (fried) topped with ground meat and fresh cabbage. Wendy Centeno of Guayaba Kitchen will lead the two-hour Sabor a Cocina Colimensa class at La Cocina de Gloria Molina.

In his review of Raising Victor Vargas, Pulitzer Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert wrote, "It's the kind of movie you know you can trust, and you give yourself over to affection for these characters who are so lovingly observed."

After getting caught in the bedroom of a girl considered undesirable by neighborhood peers, New York Dominican teen Victor Vargas (played by Victor Rasuk) strives to repair the fabricated illusion of his player image by setting his sights on popular Judy Ramirez (Judy Marte). As Judy entertains Victor’s advances, only so other boys stop hitting on her, Victor finds he’s developing feelings for her. The relationship acts as a reprieve from the chaos and pressures Victor experiences at home; he’s seen as a menace and bad influence by his strict religious grandmother, a nuisance by his sister, and an idol by his little brother.

Based on writer-director Gessica Généus’s own experiences coming of age in Haiti, Freda follows the life of Freda (played by Néhémie Bastien) with her siblings and mother, Jeanette (Fabiola Remy), in Port-au-Prince as they get by with their small corner store. Taking place in 2018, as the country is burdened with civil unrest due to the enduring consequences of colonization, Freda’s family looks for options to escape, whereas Freda herself is more reluctant due to her love for and loyalty to Haiti. The film offers a rare female perspective of the country, highlighting themes such as generational trauma and colorism.