Rich Lineup of Events Planned Highlighting Latinx History and Culture
September 15, 2023 - Dutchess Community College will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with events highlighting Latinx history and culture, including dance and art workshops, lectures, film screenings and musical performances, scheduled from September 20 – October 26. All events are free and open to the public.
The rich lineup kicks off with a talk by Ileana Jiménez and Darielle Fernandez. Ileana Jiménez is a queer Latina feminist teacher-activist. For over 25 years, she has taught intersectional feminist pedagogies and curricula to high school and graduate students as well as teachers nationally and globally. Darielle Fernandez (she/they) is an Afro-LatinX Trans-Femme who works to bring healing justice spaces to the hood and its most marginalized communities. She is a sex educator, an artist, a healer, a facilitator, and a new graduate from Columbia University with a degree in African-American Studies and Education.
On September 21, explore the history of traditional Azulejo ceramic tile painting with teaching artist and perennial HHM favorite Aurelio Del Muro — and get hands-on experience creating your own design! Materials will be provided.
Put on your dancing shoes and learn some Afro-Cuban moves on October 3 with Dancer/Choreographer/Educator/Musician Argelia Arreola. She holds a Bachelor’s in Contemporary Dance from Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico. Formally trained in traditional African Dance of Guinea for 18 years, Argelia has taught dance workshops for more than 17 years in Mexico, the United States, and Costa Rica. This workshop is open to all levels; no experience necessary. Wear comfortable clothes.
Another highlight of Hispanic Heritage Month is a musical performance on October 17 by Caña Dulce Caña Brava. Come enjoy contemporary versions of the son jarocho musical tradition from the Veracruz region of Mexico. This group presents exclusively feminine voices, opening a new facet within this musical movement.
On October 19, Janis Astor del Valle, an award-winning writer, performer and filmmaker of Puerto Rican origins, will read a selection of her writings. Her work promotes understanding of LGBT issues and cultural diversity. She is a member of the Actors Studio’s Playwright/Director’s Workshop, and has served as an assistant professor in the Practice of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at SUNY Purchase since 2013.
A full list of in-person and livestreamed events can be found on our website.
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