How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Dallas
Art exhibits, Salsa classes and more round out this year's cultural festivities.
Each year Dallas joins the rest of the nation to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Hispanic Americans. Former president, and fellow Texan, Lyndon B. Johnson first declared a National Hispanic Heritage Week back in 1968 before former president, and fellow Texan, George H. W. Bush extended the week to a month in 1989. Since then we have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month every Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Here are some ways you can help celebrate Dallas' vibrant Hispanic culture.
1. Explore Mexican Art
Experience the captivating retrospective exhibition "Abraham Ángel: Between Wonder and Seduction," a comprehensive showcase of the legendary artist's surviving works, marking the first major survey of his career in over 35 years. Delve into Ángel's unique artistic style, which vividly portrays the evolving Mexican society and culture of the early 20th century, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the history of modern Mexican art despite his untimely demise. This exhibition will be on display between September 10, 2023 and January 28, 2024.
2. Take a Photo with El Divo de Juárez
Stop by the Mercado369 galleries in Oak Cliff to take a photo with the only life-sized statue of Juan Gabriel in the United States. The pop icon, also known as the Divo de Juárez, is widely considered one of the most prolific Mexican singers and songwriters of all time. He passed away in 2016, but his spirit lives on in a bronze statue outside Mercado369. After you snap a selfie with the famous singer, stroll through the mercado to check out the gallery's one-of-a-kind original art that reflects the rich culture and history of Latin America.
3. Visit the Latino Cultural Center
The multi-disciplinary arts center formed to elevate the preservation, development, and promotion of Latino and Hispanic arts and culture. Gallery exhibits, featuring the work of local and regional artists, rotate every few months. Visit Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. While you're there, make sure to join one of their free guided tours to learn more about the building, designed by award winning Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the rotunda mural created by Celia Alvarez Muñoz and the theater lobby mural, "La Danza de la Tierra”, by Judy Baca.
4. Dance the Cha-Cha
Latin America has a rich dance culture. From Argentine Tango to Cuban Salsa to Brazilian Samba, there is more than one way to shake your hips in the world of Latin dance. Studio 22 Dallas teaches all those plus Meringue, Cha Cha, Bolero and more. Join a group class or a private lesson and don't worry, a partner isn't required, so spice things up and start dancing today!
5. See the Spanish Light
The new upcoming exhibit at the Meadows Museum, Spanish Light: Sorolla in American Collections, features 27 paintings from American private collections. Of the exhibition’s 27 pieces, seven have never been publicly exhibited and another nine have not been publicly exhibited for more than 100 years. The exhibition will open to the public on Sept. 17, 2023, and run through Jan. 7, 2024.
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