Contact: Shani Leonards
Supervising Librarian, Claremont Branch
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6280
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Berkeley Public Library
Berkeley, September 11, 2017
From September 15 - October 15, 2017, the Berkeley Public Library joins the nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, the Library honors the cultural contributions of generations of Hispanic Americans with a series of six free music and dance events.
Balia Balia returns to the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch (1901 Russell Street) on Saturday, September 16 at 3:00pm, for an amazing, energy filled show featuring Rock and Roll, Reggae, and Latin Music. Los Gu’achis play music of Mexico and Early California on Thursday, September 21 from 3:30pm-4:15pm at the North Branch Library (1170 The Alameda.) Enjoy more free music at the West Branch Library (1125 University Avenue) on Wednesday, September 27th from 6:30pm-7:30pm when Los Cenzontles (“The Mockingbirds”) come for an evening of live music inspired by Mexican Regional Folk traditions.
The series continues in the month of October with: Learn Salsa and Bachata with Corey Raynor on October 11 from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Claremont Branch (2940 Benvenue.) No previous dance experience or a partner is required to enjoy this fun, interactive workshop. This event is best for adult, teen and child dancers ages 8 and up. Come back to Claremont Branch (2940 Benvenue) on Friday, October 13th at 4pm for music by the magical, musical duo Cascada de Flores. Be sure to join us for the last event of the series at the North Branch on Saturday, October 14th at 4:30-5:30pm for a dance celebration of Folklore Afro Cubano. Internationally known Cuban Folkloric dancer Susana Arenas Pedroso and her drummers present a demonstration and dance lesson for adults, teens and children ages five and up. We promise she will have you out of your chair for this irresistible, participatory dance presentation.
Hispanic Heritage Month’s roots go back to 1968; it begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period. Columbus Day (also celebrated as Indigenous Peoples' Day or Día de la Raza) is October 9.
The Central Library is located at 2090 Kittredge Street and is open Monday, noon - 8:00pm, Tuesday, 10:00am - 8:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Branch Libraries are open: Monday, 10:00am-6:0 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00am-8:00pm, Thursday 12noon -8:00pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm.
Wheel chair accessible. For questions, to request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations for this event, please call (510) 981-6195 (voice) or (510) 548-1240 (TTY); at least five working days will help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs. Visit the library’s website: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org
For questions regarding these programs, call 510-981-6280.
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