Lectures
A Case for Equal Education: Los Angeles High School Walkouts in 1968 (6/15/06)
Moctesuma Esparza was one of the East Los Angeles high school students who protested against academic prejudice and the lack of cultural history being taught in 1968. Following the 2-hour-long screening, producer Moctesuma Esparza discussed the film and how he was inspired to produce it with the audience.
Festivals and Workshops
Día de Los Muertos at National Museum of the American Indian (10/26/07-10/28/07)
Día de Los Muertos at National Museum of the American Indian (10/28/06 – 10/29/06)
Central American Traditions Festival (5/21/06)
The goals of this program were to relate the history of the Central American community in the Washington D.C. metro area and to attract a local Latino audience. The festival included musical performances, interactive mural making, and food demonstrations that reflected the Central American community.
Día de Los Muertos Family Day: Remembering Celia Cruz (10/29/05)
An annual event at the Museum, this year’s Día de los Muertos Festival presented an opportunity to learn about this ancient, predominantly Mexican and Central American tradition of commemorating loved on who have died. Activities for this event included musical and dance performances, exhibitions of elaborate ofrendas, story-telling, and crafts.
Music
Bio Ritmo: The Salsa Machine (7/25/05)
Bio Ritmo, a Richmond, VA-based group wrapped up the Program in Latino History and Culture’s music and dance series in conjunction with Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz exhibition and as part of the American Music at American History summer music series with a Wednesday evening concert.
Cumbia, Vallenato, and Merengue (7/24/05)
The Program in Latino History and Culture produced its third in a series of four events in conjunction with Azucar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz exhibition and as part of the American Music at American History summer music series. Cumbia, Vallenato and Merengue demonstrated how musical elements from Colombia and the Dominican Republic are common to salsa music. The event was organized in partnership with a local non-profit organization, the Latin American Folk Institute.