De Colores, Inc., Hispanic Culture Festival, celebrated in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, has a full calendar of events for 2004 including an art exhibit, leadership awards banquet, film festival, art demonstrations, folkloric dance, Latino music and more.
De Colores found a permanent home at UNM last year thanks to Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres who saw it as a winning partnership. “Having De Colores at UNM gives students a greater opportunity to participate and be part of the celebration while De Colores can draw upon the wealth of interest, expertise and venues the campus and its community provide,” Torres said.
“The festival is designed to showcase and celebrate Hispanic culture,” said Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, board president, De Colores, Inc., and program coordinator for the University of New Mexico's College Enrichment Program. “We like to incorporate students, our future leaders, into all the events,” Gomez-Chavez said.
She said that she and other organizers encourage people of all ages from the community to attend one or more of the events.
A kick-off event, hosted by El Centro de la Raza, is scheduled for Sept. 16, the day Mexico celebrates the beginning of its 11-year war for independence against France, which started in 1810. That event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Smith Plaza on the UNM campus.
The official opening of the art exhibition in the Student Union Building takes place on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. “We will also have ‘Noche de Salsa Encantada' and salsa lessons and dancing that evening,” Gomez-Chavez said. The same evening, the UNM Bookstore will feature authors José Rivera, Prescilla Baca Candelaria and Ana Baca who will be on hand to sign copies of their recent books.
Because De Colores board members were especially interested in reaching out to youth through this year's events, a Noche de Arte y Juventud is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 7 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at UNM's Mesa Vista Hall West Courtyard. “We will be promoting Latino youth through art, music and dance,” Gomez-Chavez said.
A Southwest Film Festival and weekly art demonstrations and performances are scheduled Thursdays, Sept. 23 – Oct. 7 in the SUB atrium.
The month long celebration culminates in a leadership awards banquet, Saturday, Oct. 9. Entertainment and dancing make this a particularly festive occasion.
For more information about other events, call 277-7763 or visit www.sub.com
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, (505) 277-7763
Posted by scarr at September 14, 2004 02:30 PM